Academic Catalogs

DMD C117: Typography

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/09/2022
Top Code 061400 - Digital Media
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

In this Typography course, students will explore the foundational principles of typographic design, focusing on the anatomy of type, font classification, and readability. Through hands-on projects, they will create expressive and functional typographic layouts that communicate meaning, mood, and message for both digital and print media. Students will also develop an understanding of hierarchy, grid systems, and branding as they relate to typography and will produce a portfolio showcasing typographic work. Recommended for Digital Media, Illustration and Graphic Design majors. Enrollment Limitation: ART C184; students who complete DMD C117 may not enroll in or receive credit for ART C184. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Evaluate typographic elements and apply design principles to create effective visual communication.
  2. Design and produce typographic layouts that enhance readability, hierarchy, and audience engagement across digital and print media.
  3. Analyze and select appropriate typefaces to convey intended meaning, mood, and message for professional portfolio projects.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Identify the basic fundamentals of typographic design.
  • 2. Describe characteristics of type: explain how to effectively choose type and the role it plays in advertising and design.
  • 3. Choose appropriate fonts, styles, point sizes, line spacing.
  • 4. Create effective typography projects in various digital formats, from print to web, conveying intended mood, meaning, and message.

Lecture Content

Brief History of Type Understanding Font Technology What Makes a Typeface Look the Way It Does. Selecting the Right Type for the Job Formatting Type Typographic Hierarchy and Emphasis Fine-Tuning and Tweaking Type Spacing Considerations Finessing Your Type Figures, Fractions, Signs, Symbols, and Dingbats Type on the Web and Digital Formats Type in Motion Designing Your Own Typeface

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

A variety of instructional techniques will be employed to encompass different student learning styles. These may include, but are not limited to, lecture, discussion, projects, and small group activities. Instruction will be supplemented, where appropriate, by digital media presentations and resources, guest speakers, and field trips.

Reading Assignments

Students will complete reading assignments from the textbook, supplemental readings, handouts, Internet resources, and any assignments from Coastlines Library.

Writing Assignments

Create a design plan, reflective logs, weekly topic responses, and critiques.

Out-of-class Assignments

Weekly projects demonstrating skills acquired and development of a self-designed project.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Planning, revising and critiquing projects given specific criteria.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Given industry/customer options, create a ‘design plan for a new font project. Written critiques of student and public works.

Eligible Disciplines

Commercial art (sign making, lettering, packaging, rendering): Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience. Graphic arts (desktop publishing): Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience. Multimedia: Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Strizver, I. Type Rules! Designers Guide Typography, 4th ed. 9781118454053: Wiley, 2014 Rationale: . Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 2. Required Williams, R. Non-Designers Design Type, 8th ed. 9780321534057: Pearson, 2014 Rationale: . Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library 2. Course uses Online resources, Open Educational Resources (OER), and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Resources.