will present in Madrid Spain at the International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI 2009) November 17-18, 2009.

"Three Dimensional Inspiration for Two Dimensional Innovation: Letterform Objects and Experimental Typography" discusses the process and outcome of using a three dimensional form-making in the study of typography.

The third dimension is unchartered territory for most graphic design students as well as many professionals and, accordingly, is often considered an uneasy direction for graphic designers to explore. In her teaching, Oiga transforms fears and unfamiliarity with dimensionality into fresh perspectives and unexpected results.

Her presentation details a newly developed UIC Design course in which students first create physical, three dimensional letterform objects. Content and materials are selected by the students, based on their individual interests. Students develop creative skills (thinking and making) in three dimensions while building upon their knowledge of typography. Then the project moves beyond the construction of these letterform objects through the making of contextual pieces and other support collateral such as process diagrams and charts, fonts, specimen posters and, in one case, storyboard and animation. The letterform objects are not just the final pieces, but a resource for print design, typeface design, and moving image.

Among the diverse materials used to create the letterform objects are: tonic water and a black lightbulb, highlighter ink, sugar, flora, curled paper, wire hangers, seashells, nylons, mirrors, a laser and fog machine, and rubberbands. The resulting projects are inventive, strongly compelling, and educationally transformative.