Colorful LudoSans typeface project, made in collaboration with art director and graphic designer Janina Sitzmann, blends homespun experimentation with old-school appeal.
“I love to explore new ways of creating, and we had been talking for a while about wanting to do a project for the pure joy of creativity,” Luepschen commented about the project.
LudoSans by definition is a handcrafted sans serif typeface. The Strata-Cut method, a form of stop motion invented during the 1920s and 30s by German animator Oskar Fischinger, was used to bring a level of arbitrary playfulness to the process while delivering an experimental composition unique to the approach.
“We both love the simple, raw quality of the Strata-Cut technique and wanted to work on something handmade.” Luepschen said about the process.
Forming the LudoSans typeface out of long, multicolored strands of modeling clay, they duo shaved each mold into very thin slices, recording each deduction on camera. Played back sequentially, the typeface organically evolves, resulting in a high-gloss, low-tech work of art.
“We were excited and surprised with each shot,” said Luepschen. “When we cut a slice off, we never knew what we were going to reveal and it was always something unexpected, a new movement, a different color appearing or disappearing, absolutely mind-boggling!”
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
