Typo Roma

Typography + Branding

Experience ancient Rome through the black-and-white design of the International Typography and Design Conference, where bold, crumbling letterforms capture the grandeur of the Roman Forum.

The design identity for the International Conference on Typography and Design in Rome, Italy, organized by the Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI), focuses on typography and was designed entirely in black and white. The identity needed to work across various materials like T-shirts, name badges, and large posters.

Taking inspiration from the Roman Forum, I aimed to reflect the grandeur and history of ancient Rome. The font used had multiple styles, especially bold and black, to represent the solid and enduring structures of ancient Rome. I arranged the letterforms to suggest they were falling or crumbling, capturing the fragmented nature of the Roman Forum ruins.

To add depth and texture, I incorporated a chipping effect, mimicking the natural erosion of stone over time. This texture provided a tactile quality that echoed the weathered surfaces of ancient Roman structures.

For the secondary type, I placed the text along paths that aligned with the broken letterforms, creating a layered effect that suggested movement and continuity. This approach symbolizes how the old and new intersect, much like walking through the ruins and imagining their original state.

Overall, the design identity used bold typography, texture, and unique letter arrangements to reflect the historical context of Rome while maintaining a modern edge. This approach created a distinctive and cohesive look that embodied the spirit of the conference's focus on typography and design.

Recognition for Typo Roma: 2022 AIGA Baltimore’s Annual Flux Student Design Competition Finalist. Issued by Jenny Hoffman, Alberto Rigau, and Liese Zahabi.