TYPOLOGY OF HAND-MADE TOOLS IN CONTEMPORARY GRAPHIC DESIGN: APPROACHES, MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The article addresses the issue of typologizing hand made tools in graphic design. It examines the growing interest in handcrafted techniques as a means of producing original visual solutions capable of resisting the standardization and unification of the digital language. The use of hand made tools in design is interpreted not merely as a decorative function but as an integral component of conceptual and emotional interaction with the audience. The proposed typology was developed through the identification and systematization of hand made tools according to the criteria of materials, techniques, and approaches to integration within graphic design projects. Within this framework, three levels have been distinguished: conceptual, material, and technical. The conceptual level encompasses approaches to the integration of handcrafted elements, including fully manual practices, hybrid methods combining analog and digital technologies, and digital imitations of handcrafted aesthetics. The material level focuses on the choice of resources, ranging from traditional, organic, and recycled to experimental materials, which shape the unique tactile and visual qualities of design solutions. The technical level incorporates a broad spectrum of artistic methods – from classical graphic and pictorial techniques to papercraft, small-scale sculpture, thread graphics, and mixed media. The typology of hand made tools thus represents an effective instrument for both scholarly reflection and practical application of hand-crafted aesthetics in graphic design. It contributes to expanding the scope of creative exploration, revitalizing cultural traditions, and implementing innovative solutions in a globalized visual environment. The analysis of contemporary design practice – particularly award-winning works from international competitions, as well as Ukrainian and international case studies – confirms the growing popularity of hand made means across various fields of graphic design, from packaging to visual identity and advertising.