Smogtography was a collaborative typographic exploration created with Sean Dimmer during a 17-day trip to Beijing, China in 2010.

Experiencing Beijing’s dense smog firsthand became the catalyst for the project. With blue skies rarely visible, we set out to transform an environmental issue into a visual communication piece by designing a custom typeface inspired entirely by the city’s polluted atmosphere.

Borrowing from the word typography, we coined the term Smogtography—a typeface where letterforms are constructed from layers of smog, visually representing the haze that surrounded us throughout our stay. The project explores how environmental conditions can influence design, turning air pollution into both the medium and the message.

More than a typographic experiment, Smogtography serves as a visual commentary on urban pollution and the reality of living in a city where smog is an inescapable part of everyday life. By translating that experience into letterforms, the project highlights the intersection of design, place, and environmental awareness.

Collaboration: Sean Dimmer & Melissa Infantino
Location: Beijing, China
Project Dates: May 31 – June 16, 2010