Course Description

This course examines type design within the contextual structure of historical development, beginning with the invention of movable type and progressing up and through the 20th century. Students will examine the interrelationship between technology, type design, legibility and philosophies as they developed over the centuries through the medium of a hand made, 72-page, digitally printed case bound book.

Course Objectives

1. To instill an awareness and appreciation for the historical development of letterforms, type design and typographic page design.
2. To examine different philosophies in the design of type, letterforms and the page.
3. To establish a relationship between type/design and technology from a historical basis.
4.To develop skills in working with type, specifically the fitting, setting, indicating and crafting of type.
5. To examine the relationship between legibility, communication, type design, page design, text material and the humanities.

Course Overview

Logotype Design
The class will brainstorm the names for a publishing firm and each designer will design a typographic logo and logotype for his or her book.

Writing
You will write two incisive reports on historically significant typographic topics. Each paper should include:
a. The typographer and his/her national origins and historic context.
b. Identification of a significant visual communications problem that was resolved by the identified typographer.
c. Visual examples of the typographer's work.

Poster Design
You will design a 11" X17" poster that reflects  the historic period reresented by each of the typographers that you choose to write about.

72-Page Book Design!
The class will collectively write, but you will individually design, illustrate, print out, bind and case in a 72-page book. It's easier than it sounds.

Dust Jacket Cover Design
You will market your finished book with a full-color, slip cover that reflects the content of the book.

Quizzes
There will be four quizzes.