My goal for this project was to create a modular typeface based off of the forms and mood produced by Gothic architecture. My research on the style led me to the life of Abbot Suger, a 12th century clergyman who is widely credited with popularizing the Gothic architectural style. I used both his character and his writings as my primary inspiration for the typeface. 

I wanted the voice of the typeface to reflect Suger’s piety and intelligence as well as his tremendous ambition. His writings emphasized the importance of light, height, and geometry in cathedral architecture, ideas which I utilized in the construction of my letterforms. I used the pointed arch as a reference to an architectural motif commonly found in Gothic cathedrals, as well as a relatively tall proportion to refer to the verticality of these structures.

Each of the letters conforms to my initial system of stacking 3 circles, each 4 modules tall, for an overall height of 12 modules. My choice of proportion was deliberate, responding the Suger’s belief that certain numbers and proportions were particularly holy and hold specific meaning (3 for the Trinity, 4 for the Evangelists and 12 for the apostles). Suger also believed that perfect geometric forms were proof for God’s existence, so I used a limited system of intersecting circles and squares to construct the four modules used in the typeface.