This experimental alphabet draws on the practice of American artist Paul Soulellis, who works to explore the notion of collaboration through experimental publishing.

Taking inspiration from Soulellis’ preference for hand-drawn and rough typography, this alphabet interrogates scrap paper and note-passing as a language. Incorporating digital collage and handwriting the alphabet displays a flurry of communication; circling amongst itself and reaching off the page. The poster was created using a Risograph printer, which presents an opportunity for playfulness through the layering of colour and forms.

Kelli Anderson’s work with paper examines the ways in which paper can become an object or increase its own function through physical transformation (Anderson, 2021) - this serves as another source of inspiration for the paper elements found in this alphabet. The coloured shapes in this type specimen have been extracted from paper scraps in order to be reimagined in the digital realm as a patterned glyph. The alphabet seeks to conjure images of classroom note-passing; a silent language that is eventually outgrown, yet never forgotten.