Defining sculpture

To effectively design the typographic sculptures, there needs to be a clear aim to work towards. Without an aim, the sculptures will not have much direction or purpose in its composition. 

Aim

The aim of the typographic sculptures is to investigate the relationship of form between letterforms and of sculpture through Isamu Noguchi. The composition of each typographic sculpture is aimed to highlight the letterform's details and to create 'sculpture' on the page. 
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It is important to note the definition of 'sculpture', so as to ensure that the typographic compositions do not become arbitrary shapes. 

Oxford dictionary defines sculpture as "the art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster". 

This definition does not agree with the process and representation of the publication's typographic 'sculptures'. The main difference being that the typographic sculptures won't be carved out of traditional materials of sculpture. They are just two-dimensional predetermined forms have been composed together to look like a sculpture. 

However there is no necessity in having the typographic sculptures follow this definition considering the context of what a letterform is. 

Letterforms are the graphic form of a letter of the alphabet. Their form is produced through its letter and the characteristics of the typeface design. When placed together to form a word, they carry meaning. Having the letterform be instantly recognisable as its letter is the paramount aim of its design. Not doing so hampers its meaning and subsequently the legibility of the word. 

But by removing its linguistic association, the letterform is reduced to only its visual representation as a symbol and focuses the attention to its form.

Sculptures on the other hand have no function other than its artistic merit, and when presented flat on the page, the sculptures can only be judged based on its visuals as its three dimensional quality is removed. 

Therefore to create typographic 'sculpture' on the page would be misleading as both the type and Noguchi's sculptures are limited to two dimensional representations. 

Therefore the aim of the typographic sculptures should not to create 'sculpture' but to replicate sculptural forms in order to bring it as close a comparison to the sculpture of Noguchi. 

What then needs to be defined is 'sculptural form'. 

In order to understand this, it is important to consider that sculpture is art. Making it the visual representation of an artists idea or commentary. This means that the sculptures form is designed with intent and more than just exercise in carving. The typographic sculptures should therefore have intent in its design by being investigative in how it demonstrates the form of letterforms.