Typography is a 3-credit studio course required for all graphic design majors and minors. Along with Art 052 Form and Concept, it serves as an introduction to the core principles that shape graphic design. Through a series of increasingly complex projects you will be introduced to the fundamentals of typography, with the aim of fostering a critical perspective on the conceptual, formal and technical merits of its application.
Typographic expertise is acquired through practice, knowledge and experience. This course will instruct you in the rules of "good typography," first focusing on building familiarity with typographic traditions, creating a foundation that allows for interpretation and experimentation rather than strictly following a prescribed set of conventions. Typography is a detail oriented practice and requires both creative thinking and attention to craft regardless of the formal (tight, loose) or technical (analog, digital) approach. This class does not seek to define what is 'good' or 'bad' typography, instead you should strive for solutions that are conceptually, sound contextually aware, and formally engaging. Prerequisites: Art 013 2-D Design, Art 015 Drawing I and Art 021 Digital Media.
