Course Description
Introduces the effective utilization of typography in visual communication. Fundamentals of letterform construction and basic typesetting are explored, including relevant terminology, history, technology, and the relationship between visual and verbal language. A goal of the course includes the development of a sensitivity to the subtleties inherent in effective typography.
Athena Title
Typography
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ARGD 3030
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Prerequisite
ARGD 2010 or ARGD 2030 or ARGD 2030E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- To understand the importance of skillful typographic design in effective visual communication. - To understand the connection of typography to language: type is language made visible and its message is affected by culture, designer, and reader. - To develop a sensitivity to the needs of viewers/readers/users through an awareness of the extreme subtleties inherent in typography and the principles of legibility, readability, and hierarchy. - In preparation for professional practice, to build the skill base, awareness, and proper design process necessary to use type effectively in solving design problems. - To gain an understanding of the basic history and classification of typography. - To become adept at verbal communication about and critique of type and design using relevant terminology.
Topical Outline
Projects, lectures, discussions, and exams will aim to familiarize students with the anatomical and structural characteristics of letterforms, to become familiar with historical typographic classification, to attain a certain level of visual sensitivity to the subtleties of form/counter-form relationships of letterforms, and to begin to recognize the spacing attention that must be given to digital typography. Class meetings will consist of lecture, presentation, critique (both group and individual) as well as studio time. Course content, projects, and exercises will aim to have the student learn: - How to begin to utilize typography as both information and design element. - To see designers as more than experts at relevant technology but as visual problem solvers and creators of visual culture. - To learn to avoid "default design" by becoming aware that all electronic type needs a designer’s attention, and that this skill set is a differentiator in DIY culture. - To gain an introductory understanding of how to apply principles of effective typography across various media from print to digital.