Academic Catalogs

ART G115: Typography

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/05/2024
Top Code 100100 - Fine Arts, General
Units 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 1.5;  Lab/Other Units 1.5)
Hours 108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 81)
Total Outside of Class Hours 54
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)

Course Description

This course is an introduction to typography, the art and technique of arranging type to make language visible. Students will learn about the history, evolution, and application of typography. The role of typography in the perception of meaning and the intention and personality of the written word will also be covered. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Evaluate examples of typography that are successful in their use of the elements and principals of design.
  2. Create professional typographical work to present in an art portfolio.
  3. Use a range of vocabulary specific to typography.
  4. Differentiate between the major categories of fonts including serif and sans serif.

Course Objectives

  • Identify the history and development of letterforms.
  • Recognize key parts of letterforms.
  • Name the major lettering families and their key characteristics.
  • Recall computer functions to set type in lines and/or columns.
  • Apply modifications to type to fit the needs and size of a project.
  • Construct an alphabet group using techniques learned in this class.
  • Create freehand lettering designs.
  • Use computer filters and plug-ins to alter and design type as headlines and subheadlines.
  • Formulate distinctive lettering for packaging, book covers, signage, and websites.
  • Prepare invoices for the billing of typography projects.
  • Evaluate a typographical layout for functional and aesthetic appeal.
  • Choose appropriate fonts, styles, point sizes, and line spacing based on the needs of a project.

Lecture Content

  1. Basics of Typography
    1. Origins of the alphabet
    2. Type terminology
    3. History of typography and its key designers
    4. Type measurements
  2. Type classifications and characteristics
    1. Type families
    2. Black letter and script
    3. Old style
    4. Modern
    5. Serif
    6. Sans serif
    7. Script and cursive
    8. Decorative and novelty
  3. Five classic typefaces
    1. Garamond - Old style
    2. Baskerville - Traditional
    3. Bodoni - Modern
    4. Century Expanded - Egyptian
    5. Helvetica - Sans serif
  4. Designing with text type
    1. Letterspacing and word spacing
    2. Linespacing and leading
    3. Line length and measure
    4. Type arrangements
    5. Paragraph indications
    6. Creating emphasis
    7. Grids
  5. Designing with display type
    1. Selecting display type
    2. Arranging display type
    3. Optical considerations
    4. Punctuation
    5. Display initials
    6. Modifying type

Lab Content

  1. Typesetting versus typewriting
  2. Elements and principals of design
    1. Positive and negative space in type
  3. Elements of successful type and unsuccessful type
    1. Legibility and readability
  4. Letter design
    1. Lower case 'a' and 'g' as art forms
    2. Initials
    3. Letterform proportions
  5. Slicing type
  6. Setting type for various layouts and document structures
    1. Margins
    2. Grids
    3. Columns
    4. Tables
    5. Headlines
    6. Headings and subheadings
    7. Headers and footers
    8. Bylines
    9. Subtext
    10. Page numbers
    11. Paragraph identifications
    12. Indentation
    13. Alignment
    14. Boxes and bars
    15. Punctuation
    16. Abbreviations
    17. Bullets and lists
    18. Quotations
    19. Hyphenation
  7. Hierarchy of type sizes
    1. Large
    2. Medium
    3. Small
    4. Smaller
    5. Smallest
  8. Graphic images and type
    1. Placing type
    2. Arranging type
    3. Resizing type
  9. Graphic elements of type
    1. Shapes
    2. Patterns
  10. Type arrangements
    1. Figure ground confusion
    2. Background value
    3. Color and contrast
  11. Typestyles
    1. Paragraph copy fitting
    2. Paragraph identification
    3. Alignment
    4. Font sizes
    5. Special characters
  12. Expressive words
    1. Type size
    2. Text-only placement
  13. Selecting and combining fonts creatively
    1. Font selection considerations
    2. Typographic personality
    3. Denotation, connotation, and resonance
    4. Spacing and grouping type
    5. Weight
    6. Proportion
    7. Value and texture
    8. Varying position and orientation
    9. Varying font structure and style
  14. Resolution Issues
    1. Print
    2. Screen
    3. Web

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)
  • Lab (04)
  • DE Live Online Lab (04S)
  • DE Online Lab (04X)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Articles of interest pertaining to class studies, instructor created materials and handouts, and the textbook.

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments may include preparing layout sketches for proposed projects, designing a simple alphabet group, producing original lettering for packaging or signage, and drafting a proposal for a magazine design update.

Out-of-class Assignments

A variety of study oriented projects involving the application of typographical theories and approaches that may include creating mock posters, book covers, magazine covers, and package designs. These projects reinforce typographical problem-solving techniques and critical thinking.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam
  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Oral Presentations
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking may be demonstrating by preparing a visual presentation of the lettering for a new product, building a full-page newspaper ad with multiple items for sale, or determining marketing themes and creating lettering for each theme.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Writing, problem solving and skills demonstrations may be demonstrated by creating a portfolio of mock designs for book and magazine covers, posters, and packaging as well as designing an alphabet group.

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: James Craig and Irene Korol Scala. Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography . Watson-Guptill (2006 (Classic)).
  • Textbook: Kate Clair and Cynthia Busic-Snyder. A Typographic Workbook: A Primer to History, Techniques, and Artistry. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2012 (Classic)).
  • Textbook: Elliot Jay Stocks. Universal Principles of Typography: 100 Key Concepts for Choosing and Using Type. Rockport Publishers (2024).
  • Textbook: David Dabner, Sandra Stewart, and Abbie Vickers. Graphic Design School: The Principles and Practice of Graphic Design. Wiley (2023).

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Art: Master’s degree in fine arts, art, or art history OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in humanities OR the equivalent. NOTE: “Master’s in fine arts” as used here refers to any master’s degree in the subject matter of fine arts, which is defined to include visual studio arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and metal and jewelry art; and also, art education and art therapy. It does not refer to the “Master of Fine Arts” (MFA) degree when that degree is based on specialization in performing arts or dance, film, creative writing or other non plastic arts.