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 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: Six months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: Andrew Shalat Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment

THIS CLASS IS OFFERED AT SESSIONS COLLEGE: get the details (Check the syllabus at Sessions College for updated class information.)

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

Class Instructor Bio: Andrew Shalat is an author, designer/illustrator, educator, and Mac expert. Since 1985 he has been designing and writing articles about Macintosh, Mac software, and publishing technologies that have appeared in Macworld, maccentral.com and macweek.com (for which he was a columnist writing "Shalat's Web"). He has been a regular speaker/faculty member at Macworld Expo since 2001 and has written three books: How to Do Everything with Online Video (McGraw-Hill, Osborne), Do It Yourself Mac Projects (McGraw-Hill), and MacDesign Out of the Box (Peachpit). Andrew is a regular contributor to design and Macintosh related sites including Inside Mac Radio, InDesign Magazine, and Creativepro.com. His design work covers a large range of media including book, CD and DVD covers, brochures, catalogs, outdoor signage, print ads, artwork, logos, Flash and Web design, and grocery lists.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online training class is packed with information on typography and fonts. Students will meet the following objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the important role of typography in design, including the formal elements that typographers consider important.
• Design a new hybrid typeface and publicize it on an announcement card.
• Correct kerning, special characters, ligatures, and other typographical details in a print layout.
• Lay out a text article, making specific typographical corrections to the text.
• Develop an understanding of three expressive aspects of type design: letterform, layout, and color.
• Use type expressively by designing two posters based on different musical styles.
• Develop an understanding of ways in which typography can symbolize the identity of a group or organization.
• Develop a visual identity for a city or town using typography.
• Develop an understanding of applications for 3D effects, motion graphics, and interactivity in typography.
• Research and design a subcultural package design for a popcorn box.
• Develop an understanding of experimental typography and the interaction between type and other cultural artifacts.
• Develop or redesign a currency, integrating type, image, and graphics.