Factual Fiction

Client: MA Graphic Design, Falmouth University
Project: Factual Fiction

Services: Graphic Design, Editorial Design, Typography, Creative Writing

Factual Fiction? is an editorial project developed to support my critical analysis of the United Micro Kingdoms project by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby (envisioned as a piece of design fiction, with its futuristic tale of England).

After immersing myself in Dunne and Raby’s compelling narrative, I took time to consider the established role of information design (as a means of visualising and communicating accurate, factual data). And to question whether the absence of precise data discounts this piece of design fiction.

I realised that a book (or rather booklet) with its tangible links to fiction would be a better fit with the storytelling narrative of this piece. So I’ve researched and referenced storytelling in its many forms! Referencing the 1927 movie, Metropolis (with its iconic poster by Schulz-Neudamm) and many of the lesser-known classic sci-fi book covers and movie posters – I’ve discovered a trend for using angular, spiky typefaces.

I’ve recently discovered TT Ricks, described by Type Type as; a typeface that “stands out for its strong contrast, noticeable sharp serifs, narrow letterforms with a pronounced displacement of flows in the arches. The typeface has very dense spacing, and in the bold style, the text set begins to resemble Gothic by its richness and tension.”

I wanted to create a visual link between my editorial piece and the UMK example. And as Dunne and Raby have used the UMK icons as a pattern to signify difference and create texture, I decided to explore a similar route.