Typography
Learn the fundamentals of typography.
Typography
Learn the fundamentals of typography.
What you’ll be able to do — competencies
- Describe the history and purpose of typography
- Describe the anatomy of typeface
- Describe typeface terminology and classifications
- Explain units of measure associated with type
- Describe and demonstrate letter-spacing techniques such as kerning, tracking and leading
- Explain and demonstrate methods of handling text such as measure, good leading, smart hanging quotes, even grid alignment, orphans and widows, applying emphasis, and handling rags
- Describe the management of hierarchy with text
- Describe and demonstrate the use of numerals
- Explain theories around typeface selection
- Demonstrate the use of Decks, Callouts and Pull Quotes
- Demonstrate management of margins and gutters in text-based designs
Course description
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the fundamentals of typography. Students will learn about type weight, scale, style, font, kerning, leading, alignment and more. Class includes lectures, discussions and group exercises.
Syllabus
Session 1
- History of typography
- Purpose of typography
- Anatomy of typeface
- Emphasis
- Quote marks
- Hyphen, en and em dashes
- Using numerals
- Dingbats and pictograms
Session 1 Assignments
- Letterforms as images
- Bring in 3–5 examples of type in use
- Reading: pages 8–57
Session 2
- Managing hierarchy with text
- Kerning
- Upper and lower case
- Limiting type faces
Session 2 Assignments
- Working with font families
- Bring in 3 or 4 magazines, brochures or annual reports
- Reading: pages 58–107
Session 3
- Tracking and leading
- Type “Color”
- Optimum line lengths
- Orphans and widows
Session 3 Assignments
- Design a 1–panel 2-sided brochure
- Bring in a magazine or newspaper
- Reading: pages 108–157
Session 4
- Type alignment
- Text grids
- Typographic furniture
- Callouts and pull quotes
- Margins and gutters
Session 4 Assignments
- Keep looking, thinking and making!
- Reading: pages 160–205
Next available start dates
Main Campus — Evenings
Typography
Total classroom hours
10 hours
Schedule
Main Campus
Evenings, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM, 4 Th - 11/2/2023 - 11/30/2023, No class 11/23
Class Location:
3000 Landerholm Cir. SE Bellevue, WA 98007
Building T, Room 106
Campus Map
Quarter: Fall
Total cost
$299
Instructor: Iole Alessandrini
Born and raised in Italy, Iole Alessandrini is an artist who has been active in Seattle since 1994. She earned her degrees in Fine Arts and in Architecture. It is the intersection between these two creative expressions – art and architecture –through which her designs are created. She utilizes light, digital media and physical space in her design work to redefine space.
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