36 Days of Type: Exploring Abstract, Geometric & Organic Letterforms

Quick Info

  • Role: UX & Visual Designer / Typographer

  • Project Type: Conceptual Typography / Visual Design

  • Responsibilities: Daily typographic design, abstract experimentation, visual consistency

  • Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Photoshop

  • Timeline: April – May 2021

  • Location: Toronto, Ontario

Overview / Context

36 Days of Type is a personal creative challenge focused on designing the 26 letters and 10 numbers of the Latin alphabet. From April to May 2021, I created and posted one typographic piece per day, producing a full 36-day series. The project grew out of my earlier 100 Days of UI Design challenge, this time focusing entirely on typography, exploring experimental forms, colors, and styles.

Project Goals

  • Explore the intersection of abstract, geometric, and organic shapes in letterforms

  • Experiment with color, form, and typographic style across 36 unique pieces

  • Build a cohesive, progressive series that shows creative exploration and skill growth

  • Develop a personal creative archive for inspiration and portfolio use

The Challenge

  • Maintaining creativity and consistency over 36 consecutive days

  • Balancing legibility with highly experimental and abstract forms

  • Applying diverse styles (organic, geometric, brutalist, cyberpunk, synth-wave) while keeping a cohesive visual identity

  • Managing a public-facing daily creative process

Design Approach

Theme Development:

  • Divided the series into six distinct visual and color themes:

    1. Yellow cursive / organic letters – fluid, expressive forms

    2. Geometric / brutalist shapes – rigid and structured

    3. Cyberpunk-inspired – blues, circles, futuristic aesthetic

    4. Purples & dots – minimal, sans-serif inspired forms

    5. Brutal geometric shapes – sharp angles, bold forms

    6. Synth-wave meets organic curves – neon gradients combined with flowing shapes

Ideation & Sketching:

  • Initial sketches explored abstract, geometric, and organic forms for each letter and number

  • Iterative refinement ensured balance between readability and experimentation

Digital Execution:

  • Produced each piece digitally using Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate

  • Applied consistent color palettes and style elements to maintain cohesion

  • Adjusted forms and compositions daily to reflect progression and style evolution

Yellow cursive / organic letters – fluid, expressive forms
Geometric / brutalist shapes – rigid and structured
Cyberpunk-inspired – blues, circles, futuristic feel
Purples & dots – minimal sans-serif inspired forms
Brutal geometric shapes – emphasizing sharp angles and bold forms
Synth-wave meets organic curves – combining neon gradients and wild shapes

Iteration & Reflection:

  • Each day’s design informed subsequent pieces, creating a progressive, evolving series

  • Experimented with typographic principles while pushing visual creativity

  • Documented the process publicly to showcase commitment and consistency

Execution / Deliverables

  • Completed all 36 pieces covering letters A–Z and numbers 0–9

  • Created a series of consistent, themed images demonstrating exploration of multiple styles

  • Built a structured portfolio collection highlighting typographic experimentation and daily design practice

Execution / Deliverables

  • Completed all 36 pieces covering letters A–Z and numbers 0–9

  • Created a series of consistent, themed images demonstrating exploration of multiple styles

  • Built a structured portfolio collection highlighting typographic experimentation and daily design practice

Outcome / Impact

  • Showcased mastery of abstract, geometric, organic, cyberpunk, brutalist, and synth-wave styles

  • Strengthened skills in lettering, composition, color theory, and typographic experimentation

  • Provided a public record of dedication and consistency, enhancing portfolio visibility

  • Developed a personal creative archive that continues to inspire design projects

Reflection

36 Days of Type reinforced the value of disciplined, daily experimentation. It strengthened my ability to explore bold, unconventional typography while maintaining visual cohesion, and enhanced my workflow for iterative design and creative problem-solving.

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