By Manaswini Pillai, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism Graduate | November 24, 2024
The Visual Communications department at Newhouse opened The CHARACTERS exhibit on Nov. 19. It was a showcase of student creativity, and a celebration of the inspiring stories behind each original typeface.
The exhibit began almost a decade ago, and is the brainchild of Prof. Claudia Strong, who teaches Typographic Design (VIS 317/617). “It occurred to me that this would be a good way to teach students about typography and typographic features,” she said. “So as I was deciding to have each of them create their own original typeface, it also occurred to me that it would be a slight bit easier if they had a starting point.” What started with students picking a ‘Newhousian’ as inspiration for their design, turned into an annual exhibit showcasing “the beauty, craftsmanship, and power of typefaces” honoring Newhouse’s faculty and staff.
This year, Visual Communications student Emily Gutierrez created the typeface ‘Rainbow’ in honor of Dr. Srividya ‘Srivi’ Ramasubramanian as a leader in the field of diversity and inclusion in media. Gutierrez said that the name ‘Rainbow’ was inspired by Dr. Ramasubramanian’s “overwhelming kindness towards her students and ability to find joy in every aspect of life.”
Dr. Ramasubramanian’s journey is one of courage, self-expression, and cultural pride. As one of the very first women to major in communication in her predominantly male college in India, she is a role model for countless students and colleagues.
For Gutierrez, every design choice in ‘Rainbow’ carried a particular significance with relation to Dr. Ramasubramanian. The curvy stems reflect her dynamic presence and her willingness to defy norms. One of her personal habits, wearing a flower picked fresh from her garden each day, is also integrated into the typeface - the dot above the ‘i’ and ‘j’ is designed as a flower, adding a delicate touch that emphasizes Dr. Ramasubramanian’s joyful spirit. Her unapologetic confidence and grace - qualities she proudly embodies on campus - come to life in this bold Hindi-inspired design.
Beyond aesthetics, the openness of ‘Rainbow’ reflects her ability to bridge cultures and connect people. Unlike traditional typefaces where counters are typically closed, ‘Rainbow’ features slightly open counters that invite interaction and convey a sense of inclusiveness, which Gutierrez said make them “as welcoming as their muse.”
Gutierrez merges design and storytelling, with the pink, yellow, and blue matching the CODE^SHIFT colors, which was founded by Dr. Ramasubramanian.
Gutierrez mentioned that typography, like the person it aims to honor, required both precision and a human touch - qualities that made ‘Rainbow’ a fitting tribute to Dr. Ramasubramanian. ‘Rainbow’ stands out as more than just a design project; it is a visual representation of a woman who has paved the way for others to follow, blending cultural heritage with contemporary expression.
For Gutierrez, every curve and flourish required continuous learning; signing off saying she learnt that “type design is as much a science as it is an art” to capture her journey of conceptualizing ‘Rainbow’.
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