An exploration of letterforms informed by the physical world.

This brief starts with observation. What happens when you look closely at the material things around you? Objects, textures, surfaces, structures. Things that are worn, cracked, soft, heavy, fragile, rigid, accidental. Organic and inorganic: wood, stone, fabric, metal, food, paper, plastic, dust. Found materials or carefully chosen ones.

From close observation or direct intervention, this theme looks at how matter can shape typographic form – and meaning.

Can you let light, gravity, pressure, erosion, or chance take the lead? Think beyond imitation. This isn’t about decorating type with texture, but letting material behaviour inform how letters are formed, distorted, or discovered.

Perhaps the word emerges from the object itself. Perhaps the process leaves marks you didn’t plan. Perhaps the poster documents an action rather than a final form.

What the poster says is entirely up to you. It could respond to the material, comment on it, or simply let it speak. Observe. Rearrange. Build. Break.

We’re excited to see how the physical world pushes your typographic thinking – and what happens when type becomes matter.
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Download template here
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‍Dimensions: A3 (297x396.5) with 3mm bleed
300 DPI, PDF, indesign file
2 Colours only (please make sure they are divided)
Outline all text include all links.
Please note: posters will be riso printed.

To enter, send us your artwork at hey@typeandfaces.com including a short description of your design. Please include links to your social media.