In our rapidly advancing modern world, typography will only become more and more essential. It's used everywhere, so much so, we barely even notice. You see words, you read words, and it happens almost reflexively. The homeless person’s sign asking for a dollar, signs on the highway, subtitles on television, notifications on our phones, billboards, it's as if you couldn't get away from type if you wanted to. Because of this abundance, I believe most people forget that typography is just another art form - meaning free to explore and evolve beyond the confinements of rules, traditions or even interpretability. Subversive Type is an endeavor I chose to bring typography back to the public eye as a visual experience. When most people think of “good” typographic design, words like legible, simple, and versatile often come to mind. And while this can certainly be true, that does not mean the most useful typography will also be the most stimulating. In the spirit of that notion, I asked myself - how can principles behind optical illusions be utilized to create compelling typography? This project is meant to explore the possibilities of how we approach typographic design and to push for something new, innovative, and compelling.

I have discovered that in approaching illusions, two concepts are involved: the world of objects and that of an observer’s visual experience. The two realms are separate but quite distinct.1 This distinction is why no two people will share the exact same experience when decoding my letterforms. Manipulating rhythmic spatial patterns, using proximity-based forms, and applying consistent weights, allows each typeface to provide a different optic challenge. This project was influenced by the theory of phenomenology. It is the misunderstanding of appearance that makes phenomenology necessary. Phenomenology is the study of experience; of the way things appear to us together in their truth.2 In Contrast, my project relies on the letterform’s designs to trick the viewer into misinterpreting their true appearance. It is my prerogative to trigger a new trend in design and inspire others to push the boundaries of what typography can accomplish. Subversive Type is meant to evoke curiosity while emphasizing wonder and intrigue.