University of Westminster student awarded membership by International Society of Typographic Designers

The ISTD Student Assessment Scheme was established in 1975 to offer benefits to tutors, students and therefore to the industry. The goal is to give tutors and students the opportunity to explore and develop typography as a fundamental part of the design process. The assessment is not a competition but rather an opportunity to join the members of a professional society. The award process is carried out by design practitioners and academics, to ensure that the award maintains its significance. 

ISTD came up with three inspiring assessment briefs this year, namely ‘Shaping The World’, ‘A Colourful Story’ and ‘Typographic Research Unit’.

For ‘Shaping The World’, ISTD collaborated with Pavilion Books, using their publication, 100 Books That Changed The World, by Scott Christianson and Colin Salter. The book is a collection of works that significantly shaped the course of history, such as Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1869). For the project, students had to choose one of the publications from the book and investigate its significance at the time of publication and the influence it had shaping the social, political, cultural, technological or economic landscape. 

‘A Colourful Story’ was a great opportunity to explore the use and meaning of a particular colour in a certain or multiple cultures, and the impact these factors have in communication and cultural exchange. ISTD encouraged students to examine the psychological effect of colour and to develop an appropriate and creative typographic form in order to effectively communicate with the audience.

The ‘Typographic Research Unit’ brief was aimed to investigate the many forms that typographic research takes, while considering the questions of investigation such as what, who, why, when, where and how. This brief is meant as an in-depth study of typographic research while considering broad historical, societal, cultural, international, experimental and contemporary approaches. 

Estera chose ‘A Colourful Story’ as her project. The book she designed is a journey through her cultural background and life, and about the symbolism and value of the colour green. Thanks to the ISTD award, she is now a member of the International Society of Typographic Designers. She said: “It has been a challenging and complex design brief, but it is an honour to be part of this community that promotes all forms of typography.” 

Estera has been described as an innovative and curious student whose growth in graphic design has been influenced by Westminster’s cultural diversity. At the University she enhanced her skills in time management, social interaction, strategy and typography. In the future she is planning to work in a field that involves typography, editorial design, with a team whose goal is to design for a change and sustainability. “Designing is a lifelong process, it is not over after university, it is ongoing and I want to learn, discover and improve my skills as time passes. Skills are temporary. It depends on you whether you improve or decrease,” she said.

For future students studying Graphic Design, Estera emphasises the importance of communication and research. “Communication is key if you want to enhance your skills and knowledge. I'd advise future students to communicate more in order to learn through discovering other views about design. Also, although it seems as a more practical field, do expect research to be a priority before getting to the practice part. It requires lots of research in order to successfully accomplish a design brief.”

Throughout the projects, which run as part of the Live Projects Module, the Graphic Design students receive teaching and guidance from a team of academics. Hans-Dieter Reichert, Senior Lecturer and Module Leader, and Iwona Abrams, Senior Lecturer and Practice Tutor, teaches the practice component, while Katie Hayes, Senior Lecturer and Theory Tutor, teaches the theory component.

Hans-Dieter Reichert commented: “The ISTD award scheme is of a very high standard and is recognised for its challenging briefs. Besides designing and producing a final outcome, the students are also asked to document in detail the various progress stages of their projects such as research, concept, experimentation, design and production. Estera Cojocariu, with her intelligent design concept and her detailed and skilful realisation of her publication, has passed the stringent assessment criteria and has been awarded the status of professional ISTD membership. We are all proud of her achievement.”

Learn more about Graphic Design courses at the University of Westminster.