Course Format

This course will use a hybrid format, a combination of in-person classes in the CEC or in Zoom. We’ll talk about the various formats during the first week of class (in the CEC) and I’ll update the schedule after our discussion to reflect the location/format for each day in the course schedule.

Course Description

This course will introduce you to typography, both in creating new type and in selecting and using type in your visual designs. We’ll look at the history of type, how typographers work, and how type is used in the real world. You’ll also sketch glyphs (individual letters and symbols in a typeface); design a logotype, work in Glypher to create and modify, well, glyphs (individual letters and symbols); and work in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to design posters, book covers, and more.

By the end of the semester, you’ll should be able to

• describe and locate examples of different type categories;
• identify key typographers and designers and the important features of their work;
• select effective type pairings for specific documents;
• use appropriate typographic features (leading, ligatures, measure, body and heading text, etc.) in different types of layout;
• correctly use non-alphanumeric glyphs (punctuation and other symbols);
• create an effective color palette;
• create visual designs according to standard categories of layout;
• create visual designs that work for specific audiences, purposes, and contexts; and
• iterate and revise designs to create alternatives for a single text.

Required Texts

Lupton, Ellen. Thinking with Type. Free website: http://thinkingwithtype.com/.

Elam, Kimberly. Typographic Systems of Design (1st Ed). ISBN-13: 978-1568986876.

We’ll also be watching one documentary (Gary Hustwitt’s Helvetica) that is available for a small fee on Vimeo. A $5 payment provides you with a 48-hour window to watch each documentary while $15 lets you download the documentary to keep.

Font Software

In order to keep your costs down, we’ll be using an Open Source font creation/editing app named Glypher, available for MacOS, Windows, and linux as well as in web-based app. All are available here: http://www.glyphrstudio.com/. Note: MacOS won’t allow you to install the app because it’s from an unknown developer. You can override this in the “Security and Privacy” section of System Preferences, but if you’d prefer, you can just use the web version.

Instructional Materials

In addition to the course texts, video, and software described above, we’ll be using Moodle for things like turning in projects, quizzes, etc.

Technology Requirements

The course is online and requires interactive video, so you’ll need a computer and a relatively fast internet connection. Some assignments require video recording capabilities so you need a basic webcam and mic (external or built-in) or a smartphone that can record video and audio.

Videoconferencing Guidelines

We’ll be meeting in Zoom rooms. You’re strongly advised to keep your camera turned on so I don’t feel like I’m talking to a bunch of icons. If we can see each other, it’ll also be easier to keep yourself engaged. Like most of you, I’ve spent a lot of time in Zoom and other videoconferencing apps in the last year and I also find it’s easy to get distracted or let my focus drift to watching cat videos instead of concentrating on the task at hand.

If there are reasons you’d prefer to not have your webcam on (you don’t have broadband, you share a crowded apartment with four other people, etc.), I don’t need to know why but I do expect you to participate fully in discussions (verbally or in text chat) and to respond to my requests for you to vote on something. If you fail to participate in Zoom your participation grade for the entire course will suffer.

And, while this should go without saying, be polite to each other. We’ll frequently engage in crits of your designs. Critique gives you valuable feedback and helps you improve you work. But be constructive.

Grading Scale

97+	A
93 – 96.99	A
90 – 92.99	A-
etc.

Graded Work

Logotype	20%	Create a logotype for a specific organization.
Design System	20%	Create a coherent design template for an iPhone app.
Quizzes	10%	Most course readings will have simple pass/fail quizzes.
Exercises	10%	Assigned in and outside of class.
Sketchbook	10%	A sketchbook you’ll use for course projects and for weekly drawing practice.
Forum	10%	Because we won’t be meeting in realtime for every class, a chunk of our interaction will be asynchronous, on a course forum.
Participation	10%	During realtime meetings, you’re expected to engage in discussions, ask questions, offer opinions, etc.
Typeface	20%	Draft a design overview and create 10 representative glyphs for a new typeface. Requires work in both sketchbook and Illustrator.