Type Studies
This page presents multiple works from GDSN 223 that demonstrate typographic foundations and system thinking. Including the following...
1. GDSN 223 P1: 6-letter Bitmap Monogram:
This was our first project in Typography
This was the first project in my typography class as an introduction to the study of letters. For this project we used a bitmap monogram to create our own letter system. For my letter system I put more of an emphasis on the negative space, creating letters through the white spaces. I wanted to create a sense of illusion using the negative space. The top three letters are G, C, and S. The bottom three letters are X, Y, and Z.
2. GDSN 223 P2: 4-letter system developed from “R,” with type anatomy demonstrated
For this project we were studying typeface anatomy and how it is important to create a consistent typeface. I was assigned the letter “R” from the historical typeface “Gothic Tuscan Condensed. I created the other three letters of this word by using the type anatomy of the “R” without knowing what the true letters of this typeface look like. The most prominent features of this typeface I noticed was the very recognizable decoration of the letter, and the consistent thickness of the strokes throughout the letter. These key features are what I used to design this letter system.
3. 4. GDSN 223 P3: Sequential Type work:
This project was inspired by the ten letter word “adrenaline” and the way that word feels. From top to bottom the figure spells out the word “adrenaline”, and from bottom to top the ground spells out the word “adrenaline”. The colors and ombre effect I created is supposed to create a sense of movement within the piece, and I tried to created sharp or pointy shapes throughout the work using the letters, that also clearly flow to the next letter. This was a study of how typography is not just something we read but can also be something beautiful to look at with meaning.
Poster Fold
GDSN 223 P4: poster fold work
This is a fold up poster design for the 2025 Spilt Milk summer music festival in Australia. Its purpose is to pull it out of your pocket if you need any quick info about the event. The genre of music, is a mix of many different genres like pop, rap, indie, etc. Because there are many different genres of music playing throughout this festival it was hard to know exactly which direction to go in. I decided to design this poster with lots of emphasis on the name of the festival by manipulating the typeface to replicate actual spilt milk. The rest of my color pallete is inspired by summer in Australia, putting the colors on a black background to make them pop. My design of this poster is based of the festival itself, and the location more than the type of music playing at this event.
Magazine
GDSN 224 P1: Magazine layout
This is a magazine article I designed based off an article I read about using generative AI to map Bob Dylan’s mind (https://aeon.co/essays/can-ai-tell-us-anything-meaningful-about-bob-dylans-songs). I used a simple three column layout on each page of this magazine spread. My inspiration for this project are those investigation boards using red string to map out different clues. I thought the design I created matches the content within the article, as well as telling the readers what they are about to read just by looking at the page.
Packaging
GDSN 224 P2: Package design:
In this project I designed an Instant Ramen Noodle kit using my own custom brand, logo, manipulated typeface, illustrations, infographic, and color pallete. I wanted my design and colors to be big and bold to match the name of the brand.
Artwork
Some personal work I have done outside the MSU School of Art:
1. 2. My sister’s Grad cards
My sister Lily Schad, is graduating high school in May 2026. I liked her senior pictures so much I took on the challenge of designing her graduation cards. I wanted to capture her energy in these photos througout my design using layout, typeface choice, and colors. This was one of my first graphic design projects outside of class.
3. Frog painting
This is an acrylic painting on canvas I did this summer to decorate our college house.
4. “Aspen Grove” print
This is a linocut print I made last year of a bear sitting in an aspen grove. Printmaking is one of my favorite mediums and this is my favorite print I have done so far.
5. Tiger Drawing
This is a colored pencil drawing of a tiger. Tigers are my favorite animal, so they are shown a lot in some of my outside work. The background is watercolor. I spent almost two months this summer working on this drawing.
Bio
My name is Grace Schad, and I am studying graphic design at Montana State University in Bozeman Montana. I grew up in Rapid City South Dakota, but now I live in Carrabassett Valley Maine. A fun fact about me is that I was studying psychology before graphic design, and I have an ENFP personality type.