Beyond asterisks and underlines. Rethinking typographic gender representation in the german language through visual alternatives
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Authors
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2025
Typ of student thesis
Master
Course of study
Master of Arts FHNW in Digital Communication Environments
Type
11 - Student thesis
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Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel FHNW
Place of publication / Event location
Basel
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Abstract
This Master's thesis explores how gender-inclusive language can be visually supported and expanded through typography. Focusing on the German language, it examines how grammatical gender, societal norms, and linguistic habits intersect – and how these intersections become visible, and negotiable, through type design. While the grammatical structure of German enforces binary thinking, typographic interventions can open up new spaces for inclusion, visibility, and transformation. The research combines linguistic analysis, design theory, and practical experiments. Drawing on workshops, surveys, and conversations with designers, type creators, and activists, the project investigates existing strategies and develops new non-binary glyphs. These visual experiments are tested for functionality, readability, and conceptual clarity. Rather than offering a fixed solution, the work understands itself as a starting point: a visual and theoretical exploration of what gender-inclusive design can be. The thesis also reflects on the lack of standards, awareness, and implementation in current typographic systems. It highlights the importance of collective authorship, open tools, and collaborative formats. Typography is never neutral. It carries meaning, reflects power structures, and shapes how language is perceived. This work shows how typographic design can contribute to the ongoing negotiation of language – offering visibility, questioning norms, and creating space for more voices to be seen, read, and recognized. As a result, it proposes the creation of an open platform as a digital space that brings together research, tools, and visual material – supporting designers and educators who want to engage with inclusive typographic practices.
Keywords
Typography, Gender-inclusive language, Non-binary glyphs, Collective authorship, Societal norms and language
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Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Review
Open access category
License
Citation
Dreier, A. (2025). Beyond asterisks and underlines. Rethinking typographic gender representation in the german language through visual alternatives [Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel FHNW]. https://irf.fhnw.ch/handle/11654/53600