Week 1 - January 1st–5th: Type classifications and anatomy

In class

Welcome back from break! We'll start off class by looking at each others’ work — a casual show and tell. Then I will introduce course goals and upcoming projects.

BREAK

European & American Type: A Little History— establishing typeface classifications.

16th Century Letterpress Printing and Binding Video

In class assignment & homework — Type Classification. Anatomy of Letterforms.
Download and print these files (print double sided):

Letter Anatomy In Class Assignment (3 pages).pdf
Typeface Classification.pdf
Letter Anatomy Cheat Sheet.pdf
Letter Anatomy Definitions.pdf

Page 1: In Class Assignment PDF — Typeface Design Choices
There are 3 lowercase alphabets on the page. Identify which classification each belongs to then study the characteristics of each typeface. What features unify the family? Draw in the missing letters for one of these alphabets in a way that keeps unity within the family. (Don't worry about creating perfection with your letterforms, this exercise is to better understand concept, intention, visual unity and anatomy)

Page 2: In Class Assignment PDF — Letter Anatomy
Please label at least 3 aspects of anatomy for each letter.

Page 3: In Class Assignment PDF — Sentence Anatomy
You wil be given one sentence. Please identify and label the following:

Typeface classification
Baseline
Median
X-height
Cap-height
Ascender height
Descender height
Mark the stress

Click here to try Typecardsapp for a type anatomy resource: http://typecardsapp.com/app/

HOMEWORK

1. Finish the in class assignment.

2. Click here to review the following videos from:

Typography That Works: Typographic Composition and Fonts By Ellen Lupton
(watch the following videos: Sans Serif Type, Basic Architecture, The Project: Sans + Structure)

Choose one typeface family that have many weights and styles. Interview a classmate and make him/her a business card and business card variations that play with grouping text, scale, weight/emphasis.

Text for the business card: Their name, address, the main way they would like to be contacted (either phone or email) and their top three interests/skills (e.g. drawing, photography, typography)

When you are satisfied with your business card designs, print them out and bring them to class next week.

READINGS AND LINKS

Required reading:
Letter Anatomy Cheat Sheet.pdf
Letter Anatomy Definitions.pdf
Type Classification (PDF file)
Identifying type (PDF file)
Type history and type classification (PDF file)

Typographer's Glossary
Type Glossary

Recommended reading:
Elements of an identity dissected and explained
How to choose typography for a brand, gather information, find common concepts...

Brand New Classroom
Business Cards
More Business Cards
Card Observer

American Alphabet
Type design trends

Typewolf recommendations
10 Type trends for 2018
Type trends in web design

CounterSpace Type Timeline

Garamond Variety 1
Garamond Variety 2