introduction
This class will examine basic typography as a compositional tool; the architecture of type from the single letterform to an entire page layout. We will also explore historical typographical movements and their relationship to current visual communication.

week one – two
History of Type
Origins of type
Evolution of type design (major trends)
Anatomy of type

project one: typeface drawings and research
Select a typeface designed before 1985. Make a six inch tall pencil drawing of the lowercase ‘a’. Position the letter on a sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper; label with the name of the typeface and its designer and date. Portray the “spirit” of the typeface – its weight, curves, openings and endings, and internal relationships.

Repeat the above project  - selecting a contemporary font designed after 1985.

 Bring to class a complete printout of the selected fonts and your research of the designers. Be prepared to give a short presentation of the font designer.

project two: construction, destruction

project three: out of the closet

project four: type designer research and
presentation

project five: occupational hazard

project six: nine squares of hierarchy

project seven: poetry in motion