DESN 2001 - Communication Design: ProcessArchitect Poster
Working with Two Systems of Communication
These two posters are created for a project aimed at exercising the use of fine typography as a design tool to communicate and create visual interest. We are asked to study an architect’s work and create two (one denotative and one connotative) 30×40" typographic posters from what we’ve learned.
Denotative poster - a pragmatic and informational poster to inform readers about the architect.
Connotative poster - a expressive and emotive poster to convey the architect’s traits through typographic design.
Assigned Architect:
Oscar Niemeyer
Oscar Niemeyer rejected the modernist “form follows function” ideal, embracing “form follows beauty” instead. Deeply inspired by Brazil’s curves—its landscapes, women, and culture—he saw architecture as a poetic, sensual act.
Portrait of Oscar Niemeyer
Oscar Niemeyer’s sketches:
He aimed not just for functionality, but to inspire awe and joy, especially among the poor. His legacy lies in buildings that evoke emotion, defy convention, and float lightly above the earth with sculptural elegance.
Oscar Niemeyer’s architectural work:
Visual Research
Design Process
Initial Sketches:
Drafts:
Printouts:
Final Output and Thoughts:
Thought this project, I learned and practiced the fundamentals of utilizing fine typography as a design tool to communicate, arrange, and create visual interest. Creating these posters, I gained a better understanding about conveying importance, differentiating types of information, and illustrating hierarchical relationships through typography. The skills learned are useful across all design disciplines, and I hope to further develop and refine them in future projects.
