Kopótype

Kopótype is a term that appears in niche discussions of printing, typography, and speculative art to denote a method or concept centered on copying as a primary design principle. The word is a neologism, sometimes stylized with an acute accent on the o, and its exact origin is unclear. In most references, Kopótype is not a formal discipline but a descriptor used by artists and designers to discuss workflows that prioritize the reproduction of existing layouts, glyphs, or textures as a conceptual or practical constraint.

Definition and scope: Kopótype can refer to a range of practices—from mechanical reproduction of type and page layouts in traditional press to algorithmic procedural generation where copies of elements are created and rearranged to produce new compositions. It foregrounds repeatability, fidelity to source material, and the tension between originality and replication.

History and usage: The term has appeared sporadically in online glossaries, artist statements, and speculative design writings since the early 2000s, without establishing a formal field or standard methodology.

Characteristics: Common features include copy-centric design choices, modular typographic systems, and a critical stance toward originality. In practice, Kopótype projects may explore variations in scale, media, and process, often with an emphasis on the perceptual effects of repetition.

See also: Copying, Typography, Reproduction, Karyotype, Phototype.

Note: Kopótype is not widely recognized as an established discipline; references are limited and context-dependent.