Frank Baseman
Baseman Design Associates
Philadelphia, PA
basemandesign.com

Title: The Cursory Anatomy
School: College of Visual Arts
Category: Student Work

A Study in Typography & the Human Form  With a timeless elegance and a simplicity of means this project far exceeds the stated objective to design a “conceptual typographic book” that “demonstrates an exquisite command of advanced typographic principles within a dramatic and polished print piece.” With all due respect, there is a maturity on display here that appears far beyond the creator’s years (especially for a project coming from the Student category). In a design show with some very powerhouse work, this piece stood out early on, and I’m not the only judge that thought so.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit my weakness (and adamant fondness) for all things typographic. First off, I love the rather obvious (but at the same time completely unexpected as in: “Why didn’t I ever think of that”) concept of the comparison between the study of Typography and the Human Form.

And this piece does deliver: the typography is elegant and appropriate. The classicness of the serif typeface contrasted with the boldness and directness of the sans serif--used in all caps--along with the change of scale of the anatomical body parts of the human skeleton to help the viewer understand the anatomical parts of the letterforms, all feel entirely appropriate.

The humbleness of the means in the creation of the piece also struck a chord with me. Produced on an off-white, almost warm, white linen paper, in two-colors also went towards the economical means of the project. Even the trim size, decidedly vertical but decidedly not 8.5” x 11,” was considered. In short: a simply beautiful execution of form and function.