Typography as a means of image enhancement in wartime patriotic graphic creations in Ukraine (2022-2024)

Abstract

The relevance of this study lies in the necessity of analysing the role of typography as a visual communication tool in the works of creative resistance in Ukraine under wartime conditions. The purpose of this research was to examine the compositional, artistic, and formal techniques in the typography of patriotic graphic works within Ukraine’s visual information space during the period of Russian military aggression. These techniques aim to strengthen national identity, support patriotic sentiment, and foster social unity. The study revealed that, in wartime realities, the creation of direct and easily recognisable visual representations of a patriotic, manifestational, or descriptive nature becomes increasingly significant. Such representations are designed to draw public attention to the needs and activities of the armed forces, boost societal morale, and document important events. This niche in visual communication design has been dominated by informational and motivational graphics on military themes, created as swift responses to daily events. The artistic language of these works employs a diverse range of stylistic and compositional tools. Patriotic graphics convey messages rooted in both contemporary visual culture and historically established symbolic imagery. Typography plays a crucial role in these messages by delivering specific information, articulating slogans or calls to action, and complementing visual content. These typographic elements form an integral part of the composition, enhancing the impact of the visual creation through their formal, compositional, and artistic characteristics, such as typeface, size, placement, and colour. The practical significance of this research resides in its applicability to developing visual and communication strategies for creating effective patriotic, social, and promotional materials in crisis situations