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Visual Communication (MA)

Shir Shapira

A layout of all the files related to the "Form to Letter" project showing the design results in many sizes.

Shir Shapira is an Israeli-born, London-based graphic designer specialising in complex typographic systems and experimental typography in print. 

Her practice thrives at the intersection of design and research, implementing process-driven design methods to experiment with diverse disciplines such as language, culture, and history.

Shir studied BA Visual Communication at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem and MA Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art, for which she was awarded The Clore-Bezalel Scholarship.

Degree Details

School of CommunicationVisual Communication (MA)RCA2023 at Battersea and Kensington

RCA Kensington, Darwin Building, Fourth floor

A scanned copy from a research book I created this year

My practice is driven by the use of design as a tool for critical reflection and research. Through visual experiments, I employ design as a critical tool to navigate the intersections of language, culture, and translation. 

In my work, I examine the role of the designer within a given space, explore the transition from the abstract to the familiar, and analyse how materiality impacts the visual outcome.

My current project revolves around exploring the connection between letter and form. I take the Latin and Hebrew writing systems to push the boundaries between cultural appropriation and stylistic choices, while also examining the relationship between design and the content and meaning of a text. 

By building upon a fixed and structured letter skeleton as the foundation, I "dress" it with different shapes, resulting in the creation of new groups of letterforms. 

This process prompts a re-evaluation of the meaning and readability of the texts that are generated.

Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project
Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project
Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the poster
Form to Letter – Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the poster
Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the Ruler
Form to Letter – Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the Ruler
Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the book
Form to Letter – Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on the book
Form to Letter – Form to Letter – A collection of materials from the project focusing on animation

“Form to Letter” project explores Latin and Hebrew letter systems, examining their design process, tools, and cultural impact on text readability and meaning. It works with a basic version of the scripts, using seven fixed forms as a foundation for experiments. By modifying these forms, new sets of letters are created with varying legibility and surprise.

The project categorises the experiments based on factors such as contrast and formality, resulting in five distinct variations.  The process bridges an abstract form to legible letters.  It reflects the designer’s role as a translator and embraces diverse viewpoints, becoming a convergence of design and historical cultures. 

The project includes: publication, new letter systems, new shape systems, variable types, animations, Stencil ruler for personal experience, and more.

Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Launch Project
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project zine, Folded 297 x 420 mm, Sewn Binding, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project brochure, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project brochure, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project brochure, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Names - Project brochure, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s

 “Names” project is an ongoing sound research initiative that explores the significance, purpose, efficacy, and impact of names on our lives, personalities, and environment. Through meticulous and comprehensive research, the project delves deeply into the content and details of names to ensure their accuracy and authenticity in terms of sound. By examining the phonetics, semantics, and pronunciation of names, the project enables listeners to intuitively visualize the person behind the name and infer certain character traits based on the sound, tone, and intonation. 

The project was presented at an exhibition held at the Royal College of Art, where attendees had the opportunity to listen to the sound I created based on the research, alongside a publication that is depicted in the photos. 

The exhibition allowed the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the project's objectives and to engage with the findings in a tangible and immersive way.

Playground – Project Zine, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Playground – Project Zine, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Playground – Project Zine, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Playground – Project Zine, Folded 210 x 297 mm, Recycled Paper, 80 gm/s
Playground – Multi versions GIF

 “Playground” project is an ongoing exploration characterized by playful dynamism, involving extensive sketching and iterative experiments with various fonts. 

The objective is to intentionally distort their original shapes while preserving legibility, pushing the boundaries of this method to create novel letter systems with captivating and distinct decorative fonts.

 Throughout the process, a spirit of experimentation and creativity infused the design aspect, incorporating playfulness and dynamic interactions.

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Royal College of Art

Registered Office: Royal College of Art,
Kensington Gore, South Kensington,
London SW7 2EU