Laura Buron (AD)
Art Direction · Concept Development · Brand Identity · AI-Augmented Design
Ñ, history
into sculpture
Language carries history, identity and culture. While the spread of Spanish is rooted in a complex colonial past, today it also connects millions of people across continents. This sculpture is my interpretation of that shared language through one of its most distinctive symbols: the letter ñ.
Was is a priest?
The character itself originated as a practical solution. Medieval scribes abbreviated the double "nn" found in many Latin words by placing a small "n" above the first one, a mark that gradually evolved into the tilde we recognise today. Inspired by this evolution, I designed a sculpture that brings two capital "N"s together through the shape of the tilde, visually representing their transformation into a single letter.
Real Prototype of the sculpture
The piece is constructed from 26 individual sections, representing the Spanish-speaking countries and regions around the world. Each element was carefully designed, measured and cut so that the sculpture reveals a different perspective depending on the viewing angle: from either side it reads as an "N", while from above the pieces come together to form the characteristic tilde.
3D rendering prototype
Developing the sculpture required an iterative process of sketching, geometric calculations and prototyping to ensure every section aligned precisely. The project explores the relationship between typography, sculpture and spatial perception, transforming a familiar letterform into a physical object that invites viewers to experience language from multiple perspectives.
Frontal View
Top View
Gradual Rotation of the middle piece of the “N“
The figures below are some sketches and calculations I had to make to cut is properly:
* Frontal view: Shows the “N” basic shape of the first piece. All the other pieces are based on this one but had modifications in order to both take shape of the swirl and to inverse the N on the other side of the sculpture.
* Gradual rotation of the middle piece of the “N“: The middle piece of the letter had to be gradually rotated in oder to make it readable on the other side of the sculpture, otherwise it would look mirrored.
* Top View: Where the swirl shape is visible, each “N“ piece had a gradual incrementation/ decrease of the size of their lateral pieces.