Courses // Typography
The study of letterforms—their form and function in graphic communication. Credits: 3
11:00 am - 12:15 pm; T, R
Course Text
James Craig and Irene Korol Scala
Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography
supplies
- Strathmore Sketch pad (9x12, 100 sheets, 50 lb.)
- Strathmore Bristol Vellum pad (14x17, 20 sheets, 100 lb.)
- Pencils
- Technical Pens (recommended: Micron .3 mm, and .5mm, black ink for both)
- black marker (recommended: PrismaColor PM-98, black, broad to fine)
- 18 inch ruler with cork-back
- X-Acto knife
- 3M Super 77 Spray Mount
- foam core or gator board as needed
OBJECTIVES
- Discussion of the historical context, purpose, and role of typography within graphic communication, and society in general
- Use of appropriate terminology associated with typography
- Demonstration of proper practices such as type selection, composition, hierarchy and legibility
- An understanding of the visual form (art) and the utilitarian function (science) of typography
Format
The course includes assigned readings, lectures, classroom discussion, exams, exercises and projects all intended to promote not only theory but practice and application. Assigned readings serve as a primer to class discussion, and promote a more informed dialogue. Lectures reinforce topics found in the reading, emphasize key points and include visual examples of typographic concepts. Students will exhibit understanding of typographic principles through exercises and projects.
Components
Projects
- project 1 - Everyday Type - 50 pts.
- project 2 - Type Anatomy - 100 pts.
- project 3 - 27th letter - 100
- project 4 - Visually Enhanced Quotation (from the book) - 100 pts.
- project 5 - Type as Image / Image as Type - 125 pts.
- project 6 - The Medium is the Message - 75 pts.
- project 7 - Brochure (from the book) - 125 pts.
Test
- final exam - 100 pts.
Exercises
- as assigned in class - worth variable credit
course calendar
meeting
|
day |
date |
activities
|
1
|
R |
8-26 |
syllabus & introductions project: Everyday Type |
2
|
T |
8-31 |
film: Helvetica |
3
|
R |
9-2 |
film: Helvetica |
4
|
T |
9-7 |
due: Everyday Type presentation read: Ch. 1 |
5
|
R |
9-9 |
lecture: Origins & Terminology project: Type Anatomy |
6
|
T |
9-14 |
work: Type Anatomy (sketches/concepts underway) |
7
|
R |
9-16 |
work: Type Anatomy (rough) |
8
|
T |
9-21 |
work: Type Anatomy (tight rough) |
9
|
R |
9-23 |
due: Type Anatomy (with presentation) read: Ch. 2 |
10
|
T |
9-28 |
lecture: Classifications of Type project: 27th Letter |
11
|
R |
9-30 |
work |
12
|
T |
10-5 |
work |
13
|
R |
10-7 |
work |
14
|
T |
10-12 |
due: 27th Letter (with presentation) read: Ch. 3 |
15
|
R |
10-14 |
lecture: Designing with Text Type project: Visually Enhanced Quotation (book) |
16
|
T |
10-19 |
work |
x
|
R |
10-21 |
Holiday: Fall Break |
17
|
T |
10-26 |
project: Medium is the Message (group project) |
18
|
R |
10-28 |
work |
19
|
T |
11-2 |
due: Visually Enhanced Quotation project: Type as Image / Image as type |
20
|
R |
11-4 |
work |
21
|
T |
11-9 |
work |
22
|
R |
11-11 |
work |
23
|
T |
11-16 |
due: Type as Image / Image as Type project: Brochure |
24
|
R |
11-18 |
work |
25
|
T |
11-23 |
due: Medium is the Message (group project) |
x
|
R |
11-25 |
Holiday: Thanksgiving |
26
|
T |
11-30 |
work |
27
|
R |
12-2 |
work |
28
|
T |
12-7 |
due: brochure (with presentation) |
29
|
R |
12-9 |
limited activities - final review |
final
|
final exam - W, 12/15, 1:00–3:00 |