Rusted Type

Way back in the first year of my degree I did a number of typographic experiments for a project titled 'Hidden London'. I stumbled upon these images whilst trying to sort through archives of mess on my computer.

The idea behind this project was mankind's constant need to claim new territory. My study was on abandoned buildings and I wanted to explore the way we take land, develop it and then leave it for one reason or another. I noticed a cycle in this process in which natures urge to flourish is held back by man until they leave the land they have built on. Abandoned spaces begin to decay and nature is able to grow and reclaim the land. The cycle then starts again.

I wanted to represent this by creating type out of natural processes. With my input I controlled the growth and shape of the type, but when I abandoned my work, nature took over and my creations were swallowed.

These photos show the stages of rust as I control it to create type. Out of all the type experiments for 'Hidden London', this was by far the most successful.

Apologies for the poor quality photos.