Break the Binary. Redefine Gender. Looking at the Gendering of Type Through a Historical, Feminist, and Queer Lens.
Ekaterina (Katya) Walch
Typography, a reflection of our written language and culture, exists within the patriarchal system. As such it has become a gendered artifact and a vehicle for upholding the gender binary. Today, type that is perceived as, “feminine,” is not considered, “good design,” and often demands validation to be used within a visual system. A gendered use of type limits both design outcomes and perspectives. If design is about communicating with people and sharing ideas, then a pluralistic approach to typography might better reflect the multiplicity of identities that exist beyond the gender binary. This thesis investigates how type has become gendered and how to visually dismantle the gender binary in order to create an egalitarian design field.
Thesis Books
Thesis Books
Video of Thesis Book Spreads
Photo of Capstone Project
Wheatpasted posters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Calling attention to our gendered notions of type.
“Index of Tattoo Shops in New York City, New York”
Image of the cover.
“Index of Tattoo Shops in New York City, New York”
Image of the table of contents.
“Index of Tattoo Shops in New York City, New York”
Image of a spread.
“Framed”
Curated newspaper about women photographers. Image of the front, above and below the fold.
“Framed”
Curated newspaper about women photographers. Image of a stack of newspapers.