Type & Typography

Syllabus GmD-145-12134 Instructor

Semester

Location & Time

Contact Information

Office Hours

Nicholas Pavik

Fall 2014 Aug26 - Dec 13

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 - 10:20Am Room: mENH 205 Valencia campus

[email protected] Office: 661.362.3630

Tuesday & Thursday 10:20 - 10:35Am Room: mENH 205

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor. Course Description

This is an introductory course in the history, development and creation of western letter forms and typography for use in advertising, print media, publications and other areas of communication and graphic design. Emphasis is placed on the ability to understand the nature of letter forms and the importance of typography in society, and the use of visual techniques to develop typographical sensitivity. Traditional hand lettering and the use of the computer will enable students to explore a variety of typographical characteristics such as kerning, tracking and leading.

What you can expect

Topics to be presented in this class include the historic evolution of writing and typography, typographic anatomy, legibility vs. readability, and using layout software. Emphasis will be on the interrelationships of letter, word, line, paragraph and page. Projects and exercises will examine type families and their structure, two-dimensional typographic space, information hierarchy and typographic aesthetic. This is a studio and lecture class, therefore students will work in class on assigned exercises and their projects, be expected to work outside of class on their own and take notes on lectures for midterm and final. Each class will generally begin with class attendance, followed by a lecture and/or group discussion, then a demonstration and/or group critiques. It is extremely important for a designer’s career, that they have the ability to interpret, express, and communicate ideas to others with the use of type. There will be some computer instruction/demonstrations in this class. Students will have reading and/or project homework every class. Students will be expected to come to class on time, have all sketches and materials ready to review with the instructor and prepared to work during the time allotted.

What you will learn

Type is one of the principle elements of a visual communicator. The goal of this class is to understand the fundamental elements of type, begin to familiarize student’s eyes with the principles and uses of typography and prepare them for future design strategies. Through this course, students will learn; • An in-depth study of typography and its underlying principals • To identify type anatomy and how to properly use type specifications, measurement terms and typographic systems • How to establish a hierarchy of information through type treatments • To develop a critical perspective on the technological, cultural and aesthetic qualities of typography • Problem solving techniques within specific typographic limitations

Computer Compatibility

THIS IS A MACINTOSH CLASS ONLY since specific typefaces and fonts are issued to students

to be used on class projects. Students that intend to produce their projects on home computers are highly recommended not to do so. Page 1 of 4

College of the Canyons / Graphic & Media Design

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Syllabus GmD-145 Type & Typography

General Information

Attendance

Students are required to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. If you are not in class when roll is called, you will be marked absent. If you arrive after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to make sure I have not marked you as absent. Plan to be on-time to every class. Absences affect your work, so they will affect your grade. When you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to get the information covered in class from one of your classmates. Three consecutive absences will result in the student being dropped from the class.

Critiques

Attendance is mandatory on critique days. Students that miss critique days do not receive credit for the exercise/project. If you know you will miss a critique, you have the option of turning the project in early, but please note that you will not receive full credit.

Projects

Through projects, students will work through the design process and produce professional portfolio samples that showcase creative use of typography. There are Six (6) main projects for this class. All projects are due at the beginning of class on the date assigned.

Exercises

Using hands-on exercises and demonstrations, students will learn how to use the digital tools in the Adobe creative Suite for creative communication, as well as strengthen conceptual and problem solving skills. All of which are necessary for a career in graphic design.

Late projects and exercises will not be excepted. Sketchbooks

For each project that you are assigned, you will be expected to come up with many thumbnail sketches before sitting in front of the computer. Resist the urge! Good designers can draw to some degree, and fast. It doesn’t matter if you think it looks “bad” or not—as long as you can get your idea across, you have a powerful tool, which is your brain. The computer is a production tool but the brain is where creativity comes from. This does not come easy to most. You will need to work on it and train yourself, just as you will be working on your computer skills. Sketchbooks will be reviewed at the end of the semester.

Process Books

Keep a organized record of your creative process as it pertains to the assignments in this class. Print and file every step of every assignment (projects, exercises, quizzes, etc.) in a 3-ring binder. Organize your proofs in a logical sequence with tabs as dividers. Be sure to save everything you do and are given for this class (research, briefs, sketches, preliminary proofs, final proofs, handouts, etc.). You will be graded on your organization skills and how complete your Process Book is. Process books will be reviewed at the end of the semester.

Classroom Etiquette

No ichat, aim, icq, msn, irc, online games, or anything of the like during class. All mobile phones must be turned off during class–including vibrate mode. In all circumstances, it is expected that everyone will act with respect for one another. Students are expected to comply by conducting themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner. It is important that the entire class work together in a collaborative environment, learning from each other as well as the instructor. Therefore, everyone should be working on the same assignments at the same time. Understanding that there might be technical expertise differences, it is expected that more experienced users will be willing to help beginning users with the software. conversely, more experienced users should elicit creative evaluations from beginning users during their working process.

Plagiarism

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copying someone else’s ideas or writing and trying to pass it off as original is not permitted. If a student is found to be plagiarizing work, the will receive a failing grade for the class.

College of the Canyons / Graphic & Media Design

Syllabus GmD-145 Type & Typography

Student Learning Outcomes

General Information The Student Learning Outcome (SLO) for this course is briefly outlined below with its corresponding objective. It is broken into two parts; lecture and lab. The SLO describes what each student will heave learned after taking this course. This is not a checklist but rather a guide. Lecture Objective To develop visual problem solving skills and apply them to the creative process. 1. compare and contrast various characteristics of western letterforms 2. Define and discuss related typographic terminology 3. Distinguish hand lettering from digital 4. Assess and choose the best method to render letterforms 5. compare and contrast the evolution and history of western letterforms 6. Analyze the influence of type in print media Lab Objective To create typographic letterforms and layouts using traditional and digital media. 1. Demonstrate the uses and unique properties of serif, sans serif, script, and display type 2. Apply basic design principles to type layout and design

Course Content Outline

This list provides an outline of some of the major subject matter and the specific body of knowledge that this course covers. Lecture 1. Introduction to Basic Western Letterforms a. Writing and type history b. Hand lettering c. Printing methods, past and present d. Letterforms as art/communication 2. Serif & San Serif Type a. classic faces b. Rendering type differences 3. Creating a Comprehensive a. Layout methods b. Applying the principles of design c. Uses of comprehensives

4. Inking Methods a. Rendering type b. Use in industry 5. Characteristics of Type a. History b. Print history c. Traditional kerning/leading d. Variations on leading, kerning, and tracking Lab / Digital a. Use and Digital typography layout b. Application menus and tools c. Traditional kerning/leading

Required Textbook

Type Rules! The Designer’s Guide to Professional Typography (4TH ed.) (Paperback) by Ilene Strizver Pages: 308 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-118-45405-3

Materials

USB flash drive sketchbook 3-ring binder & dividers camera (digital, cell phone, disposable) 3m Spray mount Glue masking tape

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College of the Canyons / Graphic & Media Design

black felt tip markers 11 x 14 Bristol Pad (Smooth finish) 11 x 14 marker Paper Pad T-square, french curves, triangles, metal ruler 15 x 20 ultra-black mounting board

Syllabus GmD-145 Type & Typography

General Information

Grading Criteria

This class is graded on a point system, consisting of 1,400 points total for the class. Grading will be based on 4 main areas: Exercises, Final Exam, Sketchbook/Process and Projects.

Lectures

Lectures will be given weekly (see calendar) and are based on the course material and the chapters in the required text. Lectures are not given out to students so attendance on lecture days is crucial for a successful grade on the quizzes. Point Distribution Exercises .......................................................................................................... Projects (6 Total) ............................................................................................. Sketchbook/Process......................................................................................... Final Exam ......................................................................................................

600 pts. 600 pts. 100 pts. 100 pts.

Total 1400 pts. A+ = 1,400 – 1,370 A = 1,369 – 1,330 A– = 1,329 – 1,300

B+ = 1,299 – 1,270 B = 1,269 – 1,230 B– = 1,229 – 1,200

C+ = 1,199 – 1,170 C = 1,169 – 1,130 C– = 1,129 – 1,100

D+ = 1,099 – 1,070 D = 1,069 – 1,030 D– = 1,029 – 1,000

These guidelines are “real world.” On time. Professionally-done. The habits you form in this class can enhance your level of success in the future of your design career. clients employ and depend on designers who are not only skilled, talented, flexible, and good communicators, but who are reliable. Talent does not meet a deadline – planning and discipline does.

Resources MULTI-MEDIA LAB GMD094L 12104 / Fridays 12:00–3:30pm / C. Lin / Rm. MENH145

A lab for the currently-enrolled graphics student who wishes to increase skills through the use of the GmD lab facility. Students must attend faculty supervised weekly scheduled class time posted in printed schedule. Hours must be accrued at a time separate from any other class in which the student is also registered. Offered pass/no-pass only. Units do not apply to associate degree. Units: 1.00 - Not transferable, may be taken four (4) times.

The Learning Center Valencia campus (cOc Student ID cards Required) monday through Thursday: 8:00am-8:00pm Friday and Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm 661-362-3662

Adobe Classroom in a book series

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College of the Canyons / Graphic & Media Design

Syllabus – Fall 2014

GMD-145 Type & Typography

Class Schedule

This schedule can and will change throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to keep notes when there are changes to class schedule. WEEK 9

WEEK 1 T

Aug. 26

Introductions/What is Typography?/Review Syllabus

T

Oct. 21

Lec: Finessing Type/Project 4: Type Symbol X9: Type Rules!, pg. 212 /Chapter 9 , pgs. 197-209

TH

Aug. 28

Lec: A Brief History of Type/Project 1: Scavenger Hunt X1: Type Portrait/ Chapter 1 , pgs. 3-21

TH

Oct. 23

X9 Discussion

WEEK 10

WEEK 2 T

Sept. 2

Lec: Font Technology/X2: Type Rules!, pg.25 Chapter 2 , pgs. 27-34

T

Oct. 28

Lec: Figures, Fractions, Signs, Symbols, & Dingbats X10: Type Rules!, pg. 232 Chapter 10 , pgs. 215-229

TH

Sept. 4

Critique Project 1

TH

Oct. 30

X10 Discussion

WEEK 11

WEEK 3 T

Sept. 9

Lec: Type Anatomy/Project 2: Anatomically Correct Chapter 3 , pgs. 37-49

T

Nov. 4

Lec: Type on the Web/Project 5: Ticket To Ride X11, Chapter 11, pgs. 237-249

TH

Sept. 11

X2 Discussion/X3: Missing Characters

TH

Nov. 6

Critique Project 4

WEEK 4

WEEK 12

T

Sept. 16

Lec: Right Type for the Job/X4: Type Rules! , pg. 100 Chapter 4 , pgs. 65-99

T

Nov. 11

VETERAN’S DAY

TH

Sept. 18

X4 Discussion

TH

Nov. 13

Lec: Type in Motion X12, Chapter 4 , pgs. 65-99

WEEK 13

WEEK 5 T

Sept. 23

Lec: Formatting Type X5: Format Examples Chapter 5 , pgs. 109-130

T

Nov. 18

Lec: Designing Your Own Typeface/Project 6: Dead Man’s Hand, Chapter 11, pgs. 281-286

TH

Sept. 25

Critique Project 2

TH

Nov. 20

Critique Project 5

WEEK 14

WEEK 6 T

Sept. 30

Lec: Hierarchy & Emphasis/Project 3: Logomotive X6: Type Rules!, pg. 158/ Chapter 6 , pgs. 137-151

T

Nov. 25

Lec & Lab, X13

TH

Oct. 2

X6 Discussion/X7 research

TH

Nov. 27

THANKSGIVING

WEEK 15

WEEK 7 T

Oct. 7

Lec: Fine-tuning & Tweaking Type X7: Editorial Design/Chapter 7 , pgs. 161-175

T

Dec. 2

Lec & Lab, X14

TH

Oct. 9

X7 Discussion

TH

Dec. 4

Lec & Lab, X15

WEEK 16

WEEK 8 T

Oct. 14

Lec: Spacing X8: Kerning/ Chapter 8, pgs. 179-193

T

Dec. 9

Final Exam

TH

Oct. 16

Critique Project 3

TH

Dec. 11

Critique Project 6