Fundamentals of Typography Letterforms and typefaces are what set designers apart from other artists. This is why typography is so important. In any form of visual communication, typography must be integrated into a main design. Every loop, swirl, and descender tells a story. With a keen understanding of typography, your work will generate power and beauty.
In this 3-lesson class, you'll explore the anatomy of the letterform. Through interactive lectures and various exercises, you'll learn how to classify typefaces and how use them effectively.
On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites
Class Title: |
Fundamentals of Typography |
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Start Date: |
Classes start daily.
Enroll today and gain immediate access. |
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Class Length: |
Three months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. |
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Other details: |
Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment |
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Tuition:
$408
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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.
LEFT: Image from Fundamentals of Typography with Laura Schwamb.
A Rolling Stone magazine layout shows beautiful typography and layout. |
Class Projects and Objectives:
This online class is packed with projects and tips. Students can expect to:
- Learn some of historical origins of typographical terms and concepts.
- Learn the basic terminology of typography.
- Learn how to analyze a letterform.
- Look at the process of type design and designing with type through a dual case study.
- Using a downloadable grid, recreate the four given letters by hand on a grid.
- Choose a single letter to illustrate using the same grid technique.
- Mark up that single letter to demonstrate your understanding of letterform elements.
- Collect 10 rubbings of typography from your environment, and present a report on 5 of them.
- Learn how to develop an expertise for identifying and classifying type.
- Learn the main features to look for when identifying a typeface.
- Explore the 12 ATypI categories of typeface and learn what to look for.
- Practice type recognition skills on-screen and in print.
- Choose two letters and a typeface as the basis for a type composition.
- Identify the defining characteristic of the typeface.
- Create a type composition from the two letters that highlights the defining characteristic.
- Present a written explanation of the creative strategy behind your composition.
- Explore the applications of display typography.
- Discover how type can be theatrical.
- Get an introduction to challenges in visual identity creation.
- Look at the different ways in which display typography can integrate with a layout.
- Read two case studies on display typography in advertising.
- Choose a famous person to represent typographically.
- Conceptualize and sketch a type composition that expresses the celebrity's character.
- Translate your paper-and-pencil sketch into a digital composition.
- Present your composition as an advertisement for an A&E Biography show.
| Prerequisites: |
- Own and have basic experience with Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign and a scanner or digital camera..
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