Rui Duan

Visual Design / Academic

Typography & Graphic Explorations

Selected academic studies in type specimens, illustrated letterforms, and graphic composition.

A compact collection of academic and exploratory craft spanning a Futura specimen, hand-drawn alphabet forms, and geometric typographic compositions. The selection focuses on letterform, hierarchy, rhythm, and layout rather than reproducing source writing or uncleared reference material.

Role
Graphic Designer
Project type
Academic
Timeline
2017-2019
Status
DeliveredSelected academic and exploratory craft.
Collaboration
Independently developed the type specimen, illustrated letterforms, and graphic compositions across selected studies.
Team
Independent academic and exploratory work
Finished Futura specimen table of contents spread
The completed table of contents uses geometric forms, overlapping color, and Futura display type.

Type specimen

The 16-page Futura booklet was refined through three versions. The final system simplifies crowded layouts, tightens alignment, limits the palette, and uses geometric forms to echo the typeface without competing with the specimen.

Futura layout refinement

Early Futura specimen spreads with denser layout treatments
Early spreads established the geometric direction but needed clearer hierarchy.

Earlier composition

The earlier spread carried more competing elements, alignment issues, and a broader palette.

Final Futura alphabet and numeral specimen spread
The completed spread uses overlapping letterforms and a limited palette to present the Futura character set.

Final composition

The final spread reduces visual competition and gives type, spacing, and page structure a clearer rhythm.

Hand-drawn illustrated letterforms A through D
Individual letters explore botanical, anatomical, and figurative drawing.
Hand-drawn illustrated letterforms C through F
The studies balance legibility with detailed line illustration.
Black and white geometric letter composition using the word doubt
Scale and rotation turn letterforms into a two-page graphic system.
Black and white abstract compositions built from geometric letters
Repeated letter shapes explore balance, spacing, and visual rhythm.

Collection status

Selected academic and exploratory work

The original Futura detail remains available as a separate case for a deeper process record.