Tomas Bata University In Zlín

Faculty of Multimedia CommunicationsGraphic Design Studio

Teaching typography is one of the basic pillars of graphic design studies at our school, at the Tomas Bata University, Faculty of Multimedia Communications in Zlín. Students learn to be able to select and use the right typeface at the right time for a specific task. Whether it is a publishing, corporate, or even navigation design. During their studies, they can try out the role of not only a font user but also its designer.

For us, type is not merely a means of communication; we also use it as a creative tool, an artistic object, or a vehicle for emotions. We are delighted to participate in the international typography exhibition Typozone. The thematic focus on Typobiomimetics was a challenge for us. Thanks to this, we were able to revisit the issue of sustainability with our students and attempt to visually connect type and text with nature, while going beyond mere decorative imitation of natural forms.

We sought functionality in nature and drew inspiration from flocks of birds and the way moss grows; we marveled at the grandeur of the Nile Delta; under the microscope, we sought connections between typography and cellular life; we explored themes such as “the influence of photosynthesis on word formation” and attempted to “trace” the biological origins of letterforms in the forms of worms and paramecia; and we also felt the fear of pandemics that have decimated entire nations. In short, we experienced the adventure of Typobiomimetics...