Halcyon: False Etymology and True Origins (ISTD)

Halcyon is a typographic celebration of the richness and diversity of all languages. It is designed in response to the 2018 ISTD student briefs and explores the mythology, superstitions and unexpected true origin of the word ‘halcyon’. The project has a base of in-depth research in the field of linguistic and traces the word to the beginning of its existence. The aesthetic of the project is modern and focuses on clear and dynamic use of a sans-serif and a script typography pair to tell a great story and engage the audience. Three chapters uncover new layers of the history of the word, its use, and associations in other languages, in order to create an informed overview of its linguistic significance. The design guides the reader through these sections with labels and a vibrant colour scheme, reflecting the beautiful lustrous halcyon plumage.