Advanced Typography Design Class

learn typography and font design online

Advanced Typography The letterform—no matter how simple or complex—conveys its own message within each word it spells out. Culture and technology are joined together in the typeface, and in this 6-lesson class, you’ll explore the visual identity of type. Studying with a design professional, you’ll learn about type fusion and text layout and information hierarchy. By creating a visual identity for product package and a civic authority, you will tap into your creativity and improve your design skills. All the portfolio-building exercises are hands-on and fun (you’ll even design a currency).

On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites

Class Title: Advanced Typography Start Date: Classes start daily. Enroll today and gain immediate access. Class Length: Three months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: Laura Schwamb Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment
	Tuition: $829

TOP: Image from Advanced Typography with Laura Schwamb. Roll over the image to see the hidden letter. Design: Chermayeff & Geismar.

Class Instructor Bio: Laura Schwamb is the co-founder of Steam Design Group and the founder of Sign Off, a press check, quality control company. Before starting STEAM, she worked as Senior Art Director for L'Oreal's European Designer Fragrance Division, running brands such as Giorgio Armani, Guy Laroche, and Lanvin. Laura has been responsible for the creative direction of several fragrance launches, including all related packaging, print, p.o.p., special promotions, launch show parties, and special events. With Steam she launched the Surface line of men's skin care by Aramis for Estée Lauder and Maxwell's Apothecary line of men's skin care.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online class is packed with projects and tips. Students can expect to: 

• Learn why advanced typography is important to a designer.
• Learn about the typographer's art by comparing two great twentieth-century typographers.
• Learn some of the formal elements that typographers consider important.
• Develop your "eye" for typography by comparing reading type with seeing it.
• Learn about the minimalist influence in twentieth-century graphic design.
• Develop an understanding of the visual form of letters.
• Create a new, hybrid typeface using a vector drawing or text layout program.
• Design an announcement card.
• Learn about some of the typography details that distinguish a professional type layout.
• Learn how to correct kerning, special characters, ligatures, and more in a print layout.
• Explore the interaction between typestyle and leading.
• Learn some principles of visual grouping and hierarchy through a case study.
• Explore creating a visual hierarchy through a step-by-step demonstration.
• Develop an understanding of typesetting details and hierarchy.
• Layout a text article, making specific text corrections.
• Structure a body of text to create a clear visual hierarchy. 
• Learn about what makes typography expressive.
• Learn about three key aspects of expressive type: letterform, layout, and color.
• Explore the three key aspects of expressive type through a series of case studies.
• Compare the structures and functions of music and typography.
• Learn about what makes typography expressive.
• Learn about three key aspects of expressive type: letterform, layout, and color.
• Explore the three key aspects of expressive type through a series of case studies.
• Compare the structures and functions of music and typography.
• Develop your ability to use type expressively.
• Design two posters based on different musical styles.
• Translate musical forms into visual forms.
• Explore some ways in which type as image can symbolize a group identity.
• Decode the underlying meaning of three well-known corporate identity marks.
• Read a case study about the design of a university wordmark.
• Develop a visual identity for a city or town using typography.
• Research a citymark for a city or town.
• Develop an understanding of the client/designer interaction through role-play with another student.
• Explore some techniques for creating 3D effects in 2D type.
• Investigate the world of 3D or sculptural type.
• Look at some leading examples of type in motion graphics.
• Explore some examples of interactive and computer-generated type.
• Explore some techniques for creating 3D effects in 2D type.
• Investigate the world of 3D or sculptural type.
• Look at some leading examples of type in motion graphics.
• Explore some examples of interactive and computer-generated type.
• Research the visual style of a subculture.
• Explore the application of type design in product packaging.
• Design a subcultural package design for a popcorn box.
• Explore the interaction between type and other cultural artifacts.
• Look at some leading examples of extreme or experimental typography.
• Study the conventions and visual language of currency design.
• Rethink the design of US currency or a currency of your choice.
• Develop a currency design concept that responds to current culture.
• Create an integrated currency design with type, image, and graphics