For two days in October 2004, I conducted a workshop in letterform design at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomingfield Hills, Michigan. In 48 hours, twelve graduate students in the two-dimensional design department created hundreds of gestural studies with unconventional tools and used these as a basis for developing a logotype or letter combination.
Many thanks to Justin Bakse, Steve Bowden, Jen Cordova, Natalie Davis, Keetra Dixon, Elliot Earls, Tim Hossler, Amelia Irwin, Andrew Mackie, Kelli Miller, Jess Morphew, Cleon Peterson, Sean Rhodes, Camm Rowland, Joshua Walton, and Christopher Williams for their hospitality and enthusiasm.
— Mark Jamra
The entry to the department of 2D Design at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
The first phase of the project consisted of making gestural letterform studies with an assortment of non-traditional mark-making tools.
Each participant made dozens, even hundreds of studies from which a few were chosen and developed on the computer.
At the end of two days, a more developed form emerged.
Everyone filled up their space with scores of studies.
Unusual writing instruments were used: twigs, bottle caps, keys, twist-ties, ceramic shards and other found objects.
Unconventional Cranbrook thinking brought forth some unusual writing tools – for example, this paint-brush/power-drill combo…
…which imbued the preliminary studies with a distinct personality.
A few selected studies were digitized and developed on the computer. Particular attention was given to refining proportion, rhythm and an interrelated system of formal expression and character.
A lively and innovative result after 2 days. “Cranbroke”? A statement of personal finances, perhaps.
Some students retired to the department’s lounge to create their gestural studies.
In this project, maintaining the energy and immediacy of the original study throughout development was more important than maximum legibility.
Everything was allowed – and often multiple media were used: tracing paper, felt-tips, black and white gouache, computers – whatever best facilitated the development process.
It was amazing to see the sheer diversity of paths which were taken from common beginnings.
Everyone seemed to have completely different solutions at the end of the project.
This is Tim, who was assigned to me as project assistant and did a great job.
He also developed a lively and funky logo – like mo-town itself.
Another lively result.
An unusual 3D solution with dual perspectives. Just seeing the diversity of ideas was a real pleasure.
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