Introduction
For this first exercise, which is a first sort of mini-project, we'll first split into groups (potential groups you will be in for the semester), have a little discussion, and the use that to create a poster.
esprit de corps is a French term, loosely meaning, "team spirit" as such we will create a poster, under the aegis of team spirit.
Objective(s)
- gain greater facility and understanding of working within a group dynamic
- collectively understand concerns around campus community
- collectively understand concerns around greater community
Initial Discussions
First we'll, as a class, discuss concerns around campus community. We'll talk about things like:
- what could be improved with campus community?
- what would you like the "vibes" on campus to be?
- what events/times did it feel like their was a vibrant campus community?
- what other experiences have you had where there was a vibrant, or "good" community (even if the experience was not "good")?
Just as a note, this could be as small as "stop making slop flyers for band shows" to the more pragmatic "we need to not have Pepsi products on campus" to the mystical "we need a spiritual vibe cleansing on campus."
As we talk about these things, take note of what stands out to you, seems resonant, or possible to change.
Your Task
Here's what you'll do for this project.
Split into Groups
I'm going to allow, for this project, people to split into groups of at least 3. This is both to reflect the eventual team/project structure(s). If you cannot self-organize, or you need help, I can make executive decisions there.
Discuss (again) in Groups
What aspects of the communal discussions seemed interesting to you all? What would you use typographically to give people pause or create attention around this issue? What colors or compositions would make sense. Who would you want to tell your community "concern" to? President Stieper? Me? Casey Hooper? UPD?
Begin your work
You cannot, for this assignment, use existing typography (see below in requirements). As such, besides sketching, you might want to consider collecting typography, or taking pictures, or say, bricks on the Humanities building to build modular letterforms from.
Be ready to show progress
Use this Google slides presentation to clearly state who is in your group, what you want to work on, and where you got visually.
Requirements
- Your poster should be (at least) 24 in. by 36 in. however it does not need to be rectangular, and for this you are strongly encouraged to not simply use the large format printer. If you have a question about a particular delivery method or scale, just let me know.
- You cannot use existing digital typography this includes stuff like Adobe Fonts, Velvetyne, etc. Though I will allow photographs or scans from specimen books, or existing ephemera. You can also draw letters.
- Your poster must be site-specific consider where you want to install it:
- tied to a tree in "sculpture graveyard"
- taped to the window of the "creepy" house across from Starbucks
- President's Office
- The Hub, or screens at The Hub.
- Made out of ice on the promenade
If your piece requires more logistical planning please do that, and document the piece in some other way.
- You must record your process capture/scan/photograph your sketches, poster-in-progress, and make sure it is in the folder for your group for the project.
Final Submission
- A final photograph of your poster(s), ideally in its intended location
- A folder containing your research, sketches, documentation, process, and custom typography
Considerations/Potentially-related work
- I mentioned ice before, here was what I was thinking of when I mentioned it:
- Here's a typeface made for a festival not unlike the Ramon Tejada workshop from Junior Seminar last year
-
This PDF about how a student spent a semester trying not spend money on prints
-
Some IG posts that felt relevant (sorry I don't have a good IG post embedding procedure here):
- wood type stamps from @tomphilipson1
- type made from stickers by @marina_willer
- modular type made from food photography in Cavalry from @antonin.work
- type made from folders by @antoncreations
- light coming through plastic gels from @cienciasdebolsillo
- this performative gelatin cutting thing I don't quite understand from @kakang.bf
- group show documentation by @living_well_ showing (what looks like) a modular letter out of milk tea cans
Grading
This is an exercise but I will grade it as follows:
| Criterion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Robustness of research, sketches, documentation | 33% |
| Concept of overall poster design | 33% |
| Aesthetic execution ("digital" or "analog") of overal poster | 33% |
Relevant Dates
Week 01 → 08/25/2026 →
- Introduction, discussion(s), decide groups (optional), begin poster
- HW → Continue work for progress report / presentation next week!
Week 02 → 09/01/2026 →
- Review status (team meetings)
- HW → Complete for Week 03!
Week 03 → 09/08/2026 →
- Review completed (and potentially installed) projects!