Developing an Impression Word System for Korean Public Institution Typefaces: A Qualitative Approach to Hierarchical Structure

This study derives a systematic impression word pool for approximately 264 Korean typefaces developed by public institutions and applies it to the design of impression-based information architecture. To strengthen the analysis, a triangulation approach was used that combined semantic network analysis, card sorting experiments, and in-depth interviews. Impression words were first extracted from previous studies and public typefaces’ descriptions, then analyzed using semantic network analysis. Next, card sorting experiments and in-depth interviews were conducted with 80 representative typefaces. The results produced a hierarchical impression word pool consisting of 10 upper-level impression words and 14 lower-level impression words. The upper-level impression words describe broad impressions that are perceived immediately when users encounter a typeface, while the lower-level impression words refine and complement these impressions by capturing finer nuances. In addition, 23 inappropriate impression words were identified, and alternative impression words were proposed for some of them. The derived impression word system was applied to information architecture design. Impression-based categories were placed above traditional form-based categories, and a dynamic filtering system was implemented that automatically suggests related lower-level impression words when an upper-level impression word is selected. By systematizing the subjective perception of typeface impressions, this study provides a framework that can be used across typeface development, selection, and evaluation.