Week 01
Intro
Topics
- Course intro
- Exercise: Drawing letterforms
Projects
- Start Found type
- Start Letterform sketchbook
GDES-210 fall 2023 / David Ramos, American University Design
Typography I
Week 02
Type history / InDesign
Reading (for this class)
- Lupton pp. 12–37, type history
Topics
- Type history and terms
- Intro to InDesign
Projects
- (In class) Prepare collages for Found type
- Critique Found type
- Start Labels
Week 03
Typographic variables / Space between letters
Reading
- Lupton 38–53
Topics
- AU Museum visit
- Space exercise
Projects
- Studio
- In-progress critique
Week 04
Type in the world (field trip)
Reading
Topics
- Visit National Postal Museum and surrounding area, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. (Metro: Red Line to Union Station.) Meet in front of the museum at noon. Dress for the weather and bring a smartphone or camera.
- Type/lettering scavenger hunt
Projects
Week 05
Pairing typefaces / Readability and legibility
Reading
- Lupton 46–55
Topics
- Type choice and contrast exercise
- Size/viewing distance/readability/legibility exercise
Projects
- In-progress critique
Week 06
Margins and vertical space
Reading
- Lupton 102–105, 108–129
Topics
- Composition and spacing exercise
Projects
- In-progress critique
Week 07
Type as material
Reading
- Lupton 124–143
Topics
- Layered type + transfer marker exercise
Projects
- Final critique for Poster
- Start Type specimen book
Week 08
Grids and the shape of the page
Reading
- Lupton 148–194
Topics
Projects
- In-progress critique
Week 09
Anna Jordan talk
Reading
Topics
- Anna Jordan talk
Projects
- In-progress critique
Week 10
Prototyping workshop
Reading
Topics
- Prototyping workshop
Week 11
Books and bookbinding
Reading
- Lupton 58–71
Topics
- Bookbinding demo
Projects
- Bring printed copies of your type specimens to class
- (In class) Bind type specimen books
- Final critique for Type specimen book
- Start Book cover
Week 12
Typographic language, typographic voices
Reading
Topics
Thanksgiving (no class)
No class Wednesday for Thanksgiving.
Week 14
Studio
In class
Studio and in-progress critiques.
Week 15
Last class
In class
- Semifinal critique for Book cover
Exam period
Class does not meet during exam period.
Turn in any remaining work by Wednesday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m. (D.C. time). Submit work on Canvas.