"You might not realize it, but the way information is presented is part of a designer's job. That's typography. It's how we, as designers, communicate beyond the first impression."
BYU–Hawaii students participated in the 2026 TypeCon, where they were given the opportunity to present their own typography research and learn from world-class designers. The annual event brought together designers, educators, and typographers from around the world and helped students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the field of typography.
Typography is the study of the visual layout and design of text. It is the art of examining more than just words and their meanings, but also their appearance—their font—and within each font is a purpose, a story, and a culture. That is one of the main reasons why BYU–Hawaii students attended apart from learning: to experience sharing their culture and to indulge in exploring others.
A Place in the World of Design
Professor Robert McConnell, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, was amazed at how well the students carried themselves and presented their work. "They spoke confidently about their research and were able to share it in a way that was engaging, thought-provoking, and professional. It was rewarding to see them step into that environment and represent themselves so well," he said. " Several attendees told me they would not have known they were college students if the students had not identified themselves that way. I am proud of the caliber of their research and presentations."
Sharing findings in a class can already be an intimidating experience for students, McConnell acknowledged, but to do so in an event filled with experienced veterans and professionals takes it to a whole new level. "As the students presented and then interacted with others at the conference," he shared. "I saw them grow more confident in seeing themselves not simply as students or learners, but as designers and contributors to the fields of typography and graphic design."
"I always enjoy attending TypeCon," he continued. "I usually leave with new ideas and concepts that I can apply to my own teaching and professional work. Bringing students to the conference adds another dimension to the experience. Seeing the conference through their eyes gives me a fresh perspective on the trip and allows me to experience it in a new way."
But more than anything, McConnell hopes that the students take that confidence along with them and always trust that their voices, experiences, and perspectives have value.
Connecting Design and Culture
For Camila Yepes, a student from Colombia majoring in graphic design, attending TypeCon re-sparked her love and interest in this field of study. “Honestly, this whole experience and meeting all of these designers gave me a huge reminder of why I chose this major and why I feel so passionate about design," she said. "It was so inspiring to see people from different places and backgrounds teaching, designing, and simply doing what they really love. It made me think, ‘Okay, I am here for a reason, and I want to be like them.’”
Yepes researched Filete Porteño, a traditional Argentine decorative painting and lettering style. She discovered the art through business friends from Argentina; the font caught her eye, and she thought it was fun. "Having already developed a personal connection with my Argentine friends and their country, I wanted to learn more about their culture and explore how the typography could support our Argentina-based business," she shared. "What I discovered through my research was how deeply typography is connected to culture. I hadn't realized that before, but it helped me understand why this graphic style has remained alive in Argentina."
Godwin Putong and John Paul Oquias, both graphic design students from the Philippines, presented their research on jeepney typography, exploring how the lettering and designs found on the country’s iconic public transportation reflect Filipino culture and identity.
Putong became interested in the topic after returning to his hometown and noticing newer buses beginning to replace traditional jeepneys. “Something that surprised me through my research was realizing how jeepney typography expresses our personal identity and who we are as Filipinos,” Putong said. “The typography I found is usually chunky, bold, and colorful. It shows how expressive Filipinos are, how warm we are and how we use humor. You can see so much of our identity in the way these jeepneys are designed.”
For Oquias, the research also highlighted the possibility of losing an important part of Filipino visual culture as jeepneys become less common. “We realized that if we lose these typographic details, we're also losing part of our visual language and our identity,” he said. The students received feedback from conference attendees about digitizing the lettering, which could help preserve and share the designs through digital and print media. “Because of those conversations, I've come to appreciate and realize that there are people who care about these letters, our culture and our identity through visual language,” Oquias said.
Taking the Next Step
For the students, TypeCon ultimately became an opportunity to see their work—and themselves—differently. By sharing their research with an international audience, they gained greater confidence in their abilities while discovering new ways typography can connect people to culture, identity, and one another. The experience also encouraged them to continue exploring design beyond the classroom and into their future careers.