Abstractify manifesto

Abstractify is a manifesto for a visual activist movement. This movement provides people with a toolkit to challenge pernicious visual content in public space.

Abstractify encourages people to block out undesirable content through traditional vandalism methods, explained in the manifesto, and to identify their gesture through the use of the core visual component of the movement: The Abstractify language—a reconfiguration of the Latin alphabet into a symbology redolent of corporate logos, spiritual signs and primitive script. By being both esoteric and reminiscent of textual content, Abstractify interventions trigger an uncanny visual experience: The invasion of the promotional by the mysterious.

The Abstractify language is based on a new typeface named Abstractify. It was designed by manipulating Folio, a classic grotesque typeface associated with the International typographic style, which claims universality and modernity, mostly in institutional and corporate contexts.

Abstractify was Gabriel Mester’s 2018 Communication Design Thesis project at Parsons School of Design NYC, under Tom Griffiths’ supervision. It features a book, a website, a typeface, a Chrome extension, and a set of printed assets (posters and stickers.)