Deconstructionist typography

Abstract

This thesis probes into how semiotics and deconstructionism on the one hand, technological progress on the other, have challenged typography. It begins with a short historical account of contemporary typography, focusing especially on modernist movement, and then discusses the consequences of digital revolution and the rising postmodern culture for contemporary type and t)q)ography. After explaining the structural approach to language and semiotics, it discusses critiques directed by poststructuralism and particularly deconstructionism. The influence of deconstructionism on typography is examined in detail, especially in the context of developments in digital technology. The contribution of deconstructionist typography is discussed in both graphetic and graphological aspects. How deconstructionist t)T)ography challenges and transforms the conventional dualities of typography, and consequently ofl'er new, open-ended forms of reading and writing, is demonstrated.