Ambigrams
From a young age, I have been fascinated by puzzles, language, puns and word games. Later in life, this crafty combination morphed into a compulsion to create ambigrams, which are words that can be read from different perspectives — reflected, upside-down, chain links and more.
My first design evolved while studying design at Griffith University. Looking at the logo one day, I could see that the lowercase h could be manipulated to look like the upside-down capital G. From there, I went on to create a colourful, animated collection of words, but I didn’t stop there. With each concept, I dreamt up a unique way to make the intangible designs tangible, which is the part I most enjoy.
Fast forward to 2024 when the Association Typographique Internationale Conference was held at the Meanjin/Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. They asked for contributors to speak, exhibit and present workshops. They accepted my application to host my Type Down Under ambigram exhibition.
“Tania is hosting her Type Down Under exhibition at Southbank Brisbane during the ATypI conference and invites letter lovers and puzzle pundits to come along and enjoy her colourful collection of brain-benders that challenge you to look at words in new ways.”
INSPIRATION
July 2018 — designed first ambigram, Griffith University logo
December 2018 — designed and illustrated June alexandrite ambigram
August 2019 — participated in Nikita Prokhorov's ambigram workshop at Typism; created Ambiguity
2019 to 2022 — developed a collection of 30+ illustrated and animated ambigrams
2023 — Acid Drop ambigram published in Typism Book 9
April 2024 — Type Down Under exhibition at Association Typographique Internationale Conference, Meanjin/Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
July 2024 — spoke at Berlin Letters Conference, ‘Type Down Under — How I turned a passion project into a solo exhibition’
TIMELINE
MAKE IT ARTY
Coming up with the illustration for each ambigram comes long after the lettering begins. The priority is always concept first. Once that is established, the illustrative exploration takes shape.
Designs that read as two different words when it looks like there is only one. These are often synonyms or homonyms.
Symbiotograms
Chain ambigrams
International Women’s Day — Women make the world go around
Entertain your brain with these six fun ambigrams to peel and stick onto your laptop or notebook. Designed by Tania Hearn and printed in Australia, the A5 sheet features Nailed It, Pride, Acid Drop, Vision, Friend-Enemy, and Women. Each vinyl sticker measures 7cm across and is easily read from a distance.
Check out the matching Pride ambigram pin to add to your purchase.