Course Details

1. Identify and examine design conventions/practice and evaluate their relevance to current forms of visual communication.
2. Evaluate the observed visual relationships between word and image within acceptable design parameters, and develop an intellectual understanding of space in relation to type.
3. Produce visual work which suitably demonstrates an ability to use and specify appropriate technology/media.
4. Recognize the use of typography as a translation vehicle from a written text and utilise the importance of type as image.
5. Develop an advanced level of understanding through the use type in relation to legibility and readability for a continuous text, taking into consideration the various levels of communication; conceptual thinking, visual impact, grid systems, typographic freshness and printing techniques.

Analytical and creative thinking in designing with typography: Advance the conceptual meaning with the use of typography, stressing communication skills with the use of emotional and intuitive typographic designs. Understand and analyse the brief to a Typography Emphasis Project. Attend and generate new and fresh visual ideas to a Creative Brainstorming Session. Interpret in visual form the meaning of typography and text. Utilize and implement visual work with emphasis in individuality, design experimentation and personal expression. Visualize and communicate ideas with conceptual thinking in mind, graphic elements and typography as the driving force to achieve a unique and fresh result for a proposed composition.

Research for understanding visually in designing with text, image and concept: Attend and analyze a new brief project involving personal research and knowledge for visual interpretation. Stress and understand issues such as legibility and readability of continuous text as well as the importance of type as image. Experiment with continuous text in booklet designs with the creative use grid and graphic elements. Give special attention to visual problem issues such as readability, flow of reading, grid systems and uniformity in designing booklets.

Appreciate process in design through sketching and layout techniques. Utilize image-making that they have been introduced with special attention to typography as a means of expression and sometimes replacing traditional images.

Production, presentation and communication using printing and binding techniques: Give great attention to printing techniques and finalizing the booklet with the selection of paper. Give great attention to binding techniques which they have been explained. Give great attention to production and presentation of final visual product. Explain, defend, and initiate discussion and/or debate. Communicate visually. Convince through attention to detail, structure, printing technique, presentation level and professionalism. The importance of making and handling difficult, large-scale tasks employing interactivity, creativity and ingenuity. The role of interdisciplinary skills in achieving a high level of production.

The integrated approach to the theory and practice of the course will also enable the students to extend their technical skills and ability to use typography within a range of media.

• Graphic Design Now, Charlotte & Peter Fiel, 2005 Taschen.
• The Case for Legibility, J. Ryder, London, The Bodley Head, 1979.
• Visual Arts in the 20th century, Edward Lucie-Smith, 1996 Laurence King Publishing.
• Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop, Timothy Samara, Rockport , 2005.
• Typeface: Classic Typography for Contemporary Design. Tamye Riggs, James Grieshaber. Princeston Architectural Press. 2009.
• Type and Typography, Baines, Watson-Guptill, 2005.
• Grid systems: Principles of Organizing Type, Elam K., Princeton Architectural Press, 2004.
• The Grid Book, Higgins, H. B., MIT Press, 2009.
• Designing with Type: A Basic Course in Typography. James Craig. Watson Guptill. 1999.
• Typography, Emil Ruder, Arthur Niggli Ltd, Switzerland, 1982 4th revised edition.

• Visual contemporary references on magazines like: Domus, eye, Abitare, wallpaper, The Face, Wired, Design Diffusion, Ottagono, Creative Review, +design.