Home / ATypI All Over 2020
Date Friday, October 30th 2020

TYPE + CODE Series

Yeohyun Ahn

TYPE + CODE is a collection of ongoing typography research conducted by using computer algorithms; initiated by the author in 2005. This series aligns with alternative typeface and typography methods, solutions, and education in America. Initially, it began as the MFA thesis by the author at Maryland Institute College of Art in 2007. It has since extended into the typography research series. TYPE + CODE explores the aesthetic of code-driven typography by using letter form. The computational outputs were original, exploratory, inventive, and novel. TYPE + CODE II experimented with traditional and culturally-oriented calligraphy with the goal of translating it into modern and contemporary typography. It uses letterform, word, phrases, and sentences to explore typographic forms and solutions. This is also done by using mathematical expressions, computer algorithms, and libraries. TYPE + CODE II conveys diversified visual messages inspired by nature; addressing environmental issues such as green design, healing through arts, exploring philosophical and religious interpretations regarding life, death, and love. TYPE + CODE III shows the possibilities of an extension to the aesthetic of code-driven typography from cyberspace to physical space by using digital fabrication. TYPE+CODE IV showcases how a custom illustration can be embedded into a selected typeface to explore expressive typography in a generative typography system. Studies have been embedded into graphic design education as courses on typography and code in visual communication design at the Art Institute of Chicago from 2012 to 2014; creative coding from 2016 to 2018 at Valparaiso University; and motion typography, advanced typography, and creative coding for graphic design at the University of Wisconsin Madison since 2018. The most recent version—typographic selfie + CODE—uses diverse typefaces to embed visual expression into generative selfies. It shows the possibilities of using the distinguished personalities of each typeface to be expressive and visually appealing in the generative selfies.

You can find more information on the following websites: 

TYPE + CODE: http://www.typeandcode.com http://yeoahn.com/designandchange/sets/type-code-i-to-v/ 

Typographic Selfie + CODE: http://yeoahn.com/designandchange/albums/selfie-code-ii-typogrphic-selfie-code/ – http://yeoahn.com/designandchange/albums/typographic-selfie-code-ii/

Speaker

Yeohyun Ahn

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Interaction Design University of Wisconsin Madison

Yeohyun Ahn is a designer, educator, and researcher integrating creative coding, digital fabrication, and physical interaction into spatial typography and graphic design. Her interdisciplinary typography project, TYPE + CODE Series, has been featured in the Washington Post, PRINT, the New York Times, and many other publications. Ahn’s new project, Social Homelessness on US Campuses, is a multidisciplinary art and design project intended to bring awareness to Asian female faculties in America. Immigrating to America led Ahn to become aware of social inequity, discrimination, and marginality. She currently explores generative self-portrait photographs showing social homelessness and being isolated and marginalized in professional areas of American society. This project has been presented through SIGGRAPH, ISEA, ARTECH, and IEEE GEM, etc. Ahn was a freelance graphic artist featured in the New York Times Magazine and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.