Topic:

Typography and Form

Brief description:

The lesson consists of three typographic projects:
1. Letter Mask.
This project reflects Kuwasawa’s cross-disciplinary curriculum, requiring participants to use their imagination to transform letters into wearable 3D structures. Participants must also explore the characteristics of the materials they choose for their masks. Each participant selects a personal motto or an old saying and uses it as inspiration to create a unique wearable, letter-based mask. s
2. Name Tracing & Mincho-Style Lettering.
In this exercise, participants begin by tracing their names based on the example provided. They then develop their own unique lettering style inspired by Mincho typography.
3. Typeface Design.
Participants design a set of original characters, culminating in their submission for the Student Founder Award.

Biography:

Aki Toyoshima began her career at a design studio in Tokyo before relocating to New York, where she spent five years starting in 2009. She has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including recognition from Tokyo TDC, N.Y. TDC, the Japan Typography Annual (winning the Best Work Award twice), and the Founder Type Design Competition. Her typeface Suzumushi received the Bronze Award, Akashi Award, and 1st place in the audience vote at the Morisawa Type Design Competition and was released in 2014. Six of her typefaces are featured in Adobe Fonts, and her designs have been widely used in film and TV titles, books, advertisements, and packaging. Currently, she teaches typography at the Kuwasawa Design School.