Tobias Schmidt
[New Media][Concept|Design|Code]

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raumStaben (cubic type)

Experimental threedimensional typeface for use in virtuality and reality

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threedimensional typeface, 1997

context
student research project (thesis for intermediate diploma) at HdK Berlin, digital media class, advised by Claudius Lazzeroni

thanx2
my classmates Birte, Björn, Florian, Ralph and Timm for lively discussions

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The classical shapes of letters were made for print on flat paper. My idea was to develop a new typography for the third dimension. This new typography should base on volumes, not on shapes. raumStaben is a threedimensional typeface. Its letters legible from all sides.

OK - the single letters are legible from all sides. But when it comes to words - not even thinking of sentences or books - when it comes to words things are starting to get difficult. For most situations the best solution with raumStaben is to write words top-down. Unfortunately raumStaben did not really trigger a revolution in the world of typography. Perhaps a better aproach for typography in virtual spaces would have been to use classical letterforms and assign "behaviours" to them.

Nevertheless - for me it was really a great experience to take the long way round and to design these weird letters. Maybe an extravagant waste of time, but hey, that's what universities are for. I learned a lot about typography - more than in all the typography courses - and I discovered my passion for interactive virtual spaces.

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