"A-frame, C-clamp, D-ring, F clamp, G clamp, H hinge, I-beam, J-bar lift, K truss, L square, M roof, O-ring, P trap, S curve, T-shirt, U-turn, V neck, W-engine, X chromosome, Y theodite, and Z bar."

- Dan Tilque compiled this list of what he calls "shape words," terms in English that are composed of a single letter and a word or two, where the letter describes the shape of the object.

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Let-ter-form... The development or design of the shape of an alphabet letter.

Letterforms provide a rich and diverse source of abstract shapes to use as beginning points in more comples designs. Through repetition, scaling, rotating, value change, mirroring, and many more operations, complex, inventive forms arise using the most basic and familiar shapes you know.

In this exercise, let's take a letterform and apply it to a path. Take the resulting path driven shape and copy, paste and transform it.

One example:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These M and W forms were created using Times at 24 pt. The original shape was repeated and rotated in 90 degree increments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a basic unit to begin experimenting with. An inclass demonstration will show you how to construct this and expand on the concept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For variations, what about other shapes apart from circular?

Here is an exapmple of using the warp tool in the options bar of the type tool:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now repeat and transform... Build from here.....

 

 

 

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