Letter by Letter: The Best Designs of 36 Days of Type

WRITTEN BY: Roger McDonald

36 Days of Type – 5th Edition

With the 5th edition of 36 Days of Type coming to a close last month, we’ve decided to feature a collection of some of our favorite designs.

For those unfamiliar with 36 Days of Type, it is a reoccurring online design project that challenges artists and designers of all types to create a new typographical design each day for 36 days straight. Each day corresponds an alphanumeric character (A-Z, 0-9). Each day creates a new challenge, as artists are invited to invent new ways of visual perception for a given letter or number.

This challenge gives designers complete creative freedom for artistic expression. For example, some designers use 36 Days of Type as an exercise in marketing and branding. They attempt to turn each letter and number into a unique, iconic, and recognizable logo. Others, however, will look at 36 Days of Type as a break from the day-to-day corporate design. These designers let their freak flags fly, going all out on colorful, illustrious, free-flowing designs.

Yet, there are others still who use this design competition as a challenge to their own creative boundaries. Many of these designers use 36 Days of Type to think outside of the box. They created layered imagery, animations and videos, 3D renderings, and more. Some even go so far as to physically produce their ideas via paints, paper, clay, 3d-printing, or photography.

Artists can set their own personal rules and goals. Some participants pick design themes/styles and stick to them for each of the 36 entries. On the opposite end, some participants specifically attempt to change the style or theme with each entry. Some designers choose a word starting with each letter to set as the theme, while others attempt to simplify or abstract the letters.

The Best Designs of 36 Days of Type

Most importantly, 36 Days of Type aims to be a space for endless creativity and inspiration. The only rule is that there are no rules.

No matter the approach, 36 Days of Type is a perfect display of limitless creativity. Enjoy our favorite entries for each character!

All designs for 36 Days of Type 5th Edition can be found on the official Instagram page.

If you’re interested in participating in the next edition, be sure to check their website for updates and information.

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