"Avenir Light and Dark" is a type specimen poster showcasing Avenir, a typeface created by Adrian Frutiger in the 1980s. The poster features the alphabet, numbers and symbols alongside a famous quote by Adrian Frutiger, "I developed the typeface alone, in peace and quiet— no drafting assistants, no-one was there. My personality is stamped upon it." This project was created for Typography I at the University of Baltimore in Fall 2021.
When designing these posters, a key challenge in designing these posters was incorporating the alphabet, numbers, and symbols. While it was not difficult to include these elements, I wanted to push the design further. Initially as one poster, the poster evolved into two separate posters. The decision was driven as to which would give a clear contrast between the colors and text. Named "Light Mode" and "Dark Mode", the posters referenced the way that computer screens can be switched between light and dark backgrounds.
The second challenge involved the alphabet, numbers, and symbols. By manipulating the key elements to work as an overall design, it presented a different visual appeal. "Light Mode" clearly presents the typeface in its various forms, along with Frutiger's name, the year it was created, and the quotes. The design incorporated lines to make it mimic redacted text. This was the first iteration of the concept.
"Dark Mode" was pushing the boundaries of the design. While it includes the same information as "Light Mode", it focuses more on text as a design element. Upon closer inspection, the alphabet, numbers, and symbols are repeated throughout the entire poster. The inspiration for this layout came from eye charts, where color plays an important role to amplify the element— particularly the red and blue text.
Ultimately, "Light Mode" and "Dark Mode" became two of my favorite projects to work on. While there were challenges, especially with ensuring that each row aligned and flowed seamlessly, but the final iterations allowed me to tested my limits and push my design boundaries.
