DART Student Project Grant Recipient

Molly McLeod

Molly McLeod’s Ampersand Project is comprised of three distinct but complementary books about typography, centered around ampersand (a.k.a. the & symbol). McLeod sees the ampersand as a fun, accessible entry point for learning about typography. The ampersand has a rich history, and can take many different forms depending on the time period and font style from which it originates. McLeod’s “Blue Ampersand Book” will consist of photo-illustrations of physical and metal ampersands along side historical and theoretical information about the font each ampersand comes from. The “Yellow Ampersand Book” will use the ampersand as a metaphor for connection, collaboration, and compromise in this collection of short essays about design, education, and social change. The “Red Ampersand Book” will feature a photo collection of McLeod’s sculptural ampersands that engage the senses and the imagination, ranging from an ampersand lamp, to ampersand wind chimes, a cookie cutter, a pillow, and more.

Learn more about Molly's work and her time in the Hampshire College Lemelson Center

Watch the ampersands in Molly's windchimes emerge from the plasma cutter.