Univers Revolved: A Three-Dimensional Alphabet

Univers Revolved is a book of visual riddles, a toy for the mind. Written in a three-dimensional alphabet of mysteriously shaped letters, it challenges readers to move beyond the conventional linear way of reading and develop more creative strategies to decipher the meaning of each page.

 

To form the letters of Univers Revolved, a simple geometric formula was applied to the capital letters of the widely used Univers typeface. With the help of a 3-D computer program, each letter was revolved 360 degrees around a vertical axis drawn at its left-most point. Unlike the letters in our standard alphabet, those of Univers Revolved are symmetrical and may therefore be read in any direction. Because they are three-dimensional, they can be stacked, arranged in circles, or set in motion. They can become toys, pieces of furniture, buildings or chocolate candies. The revolved letters create a new alphabet that recaptures the element of experimentation the Latin alphabet held in its early days. Encountering it for the first time, we re-experience the excitement of learning to form words from letters as children.

This book is an invitation to imagine. If you accept this invitation, even the simple act of reading a word can become mysterious and fun. There are two front covers, one at each end. You choose where to begin. 

Rethink the obvious, discover the magical, and most of all, have fun!

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