Typography Tells a Different Story: Transforming Communication Through the Narrative Power of Typographic Forms

Abstract

Typography is usually seen simply as a tool for conveying textual meaning, yet its power as a visual language capable of telling stories is often overlooked. This research challenges traditional views by showing how typography can go beyond just conveying words, becoming a medium for emotional expression that crosses language and cultural boundaries. Using Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”as a case study, the project explores how a single sentence – five words and eleven letters – can be reimagined through typography to express the emotional journey of the novel. Through a combination of analog and digital techniques, these visual treatments offer new ways to interpret and experience the text, challenging conventional literary practices. Typography here becomes more than just text; the emphasis on its visual aspects allows the meanings embedded in the forms to tell their own story, connecting across languages and cultures. The findings show how typography can reshape communication, allowing for deeper emotional understanding and enriched literary interpretation. This research opens new avenues in the humanities, highlighting typography’s potential to evolve and engage in an increasingly interconnected world.

Presenters

İpek Köprülülü
Independent Designer, Currently Graphic Designer for Netflix Series “Ayrılık da Sevdaya Dahil”, İpek Köprülülü | TMC Production, Istanbul, Turkey

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Communications and Linguistic Studies

KEYWORDS

Analog/Digital Image-Making, Cultural Boundaries, Typography, Universality, Visual Language, Storytelling