Protest Stencils
A stencil system for creating homemade text
2022
This stencil set was developed in response to to being asked to consider "the ways in which typography can change the world". The stencils are designed to facilitate the creation of homemade text, with a particular focus on protest signage.
Aware of the importance of the individual hand in the practice of creating protest materials, I chose to create stencil sheets comprised of sets of geometric shapes that can be used to create unique letterforms, allowing for creative freedom while still aiding in the crafting of legibile and effective type for optimal visual impact.
exploration and experimentation with letterform shapes
Variations
With versions in multiple sizes to be better read at particular distances, both a lower case and capital stencil set is available to be printed on US letter size paper. When the printed sheets are folded in half, the shapes can be cut out and the sheet lain flat to to act as a stencil, allowing the user to form words and symbols from the combination of these shapes.
Lower case
Capitals
Website
These are intended to be downloadable via a dedicated website that also serves to guide the user through their use of the stencils by providing instructions and recommend-ations for creative options.
User Testing
Pre-printed stencil sheets and the accompanying website were given to a group of design students to test the
usability of the stencil shapes. Their experiments showed the potential for
the degree of ways that the given shapes could be used to create unique sets of characters and visual language.
