ART 159: Introduction to Typography

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 90
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 54
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Strongly Recommended: ART 150.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Introduction to fundamental concepts, practices, and theories of typography. Topics include terminology, history, vocabulary, classification, design and contemporary use of type. Utilizing board skills and software programs students will creatively manipulate type fonts in designs and layout applications, demonstrating a sensitivity to the characteristics and communicative values of typography. 36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Apply the elements and principles of design in typographic work.
  • Create a portfolio of work demonstrating formal, conceptual, and technical typography.
  • Produce digital typographic work.
  • Examine and describe contemporary approaches, language, aesthetics and emerging trends in typographic communication.
  • Evaluate and critique typographic solutions utilizing relevant terminology and concepts.

Major Course Content

  1.  Elements and principles of design as they relate to typographic communication.
  2. Concept development as it relates to typographic communication.
  3. Typographic anatomy and historical significance and vocabulary of typographic form.
  4. Type classification, characteristics and their communicative value as required for various media and design contexts.
  5. Aesthetic and functional approaches and considerations of working with type.
  6. History, contemporary trends, language, aesthetics and emerging media as they relate to typography.
  7. Group and individual critiques of typographic work.

Lab Content

  1. Select and use various digital media in creating typographic solutions
  2. Assignments focusing on the conceptual typographic designs.
  3. Group and individual crituques in oral and written formats.
  4. Create hand drawn type.
  5. Translate hand drawn type to digital type.
  6. Apply typography to projects.

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Publications relating to typography in graphic design and assorted media.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Essay based on analysis of typographical history, critique of trends and classifications.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Research into use of typography in various media.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab