CISG 106 Typography and Letterforms
Students will learn to communicate effectively using type. By studying the history, the components of letterforms and classifications of type, students will create designs using type readably, directly, and with visual balance and coordination. Students will apply typographical terms, rules, and conventions to hands-on projects that emulate real-world design situations.
CISG 106Typography and Letterforms
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Information Technology
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
45
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
Students will learn to communicate effectively using type. By studying the history, the components of letterforms and classifications of type, students will create designs using type readably, directly, and with visual balance and coordination. Students will apply typographical terms, rules, and conventions to hands-on projects that emulate real-world design situations.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Define type and typography, as well as other terms relevant to typography and design;
- Discuss important historical events that have impacted today’s typographical conventions;
- Identify, classify, distinguish and analyze different typefaces;
- Manipulate the size, spacing and placement of type to enhance the printed message;
- Select and mix typefaces appropriate to the target message and audience;
- Apply appropriate design conventions to practical design situations;
- Identify current resources and trends relating to electronic publishing and design.
- Develop an aesthetic and critical eye capable of distinguishing good design from poor design
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Outcome: To recognize, understand, and define typography and typographic terminology, elements of design, principles of design, and the effects of design.
Assessment: Students will be tested on assigned readings as shown in the course schedule as a means of assessing whether they have understood the basic concepts presented in the readings.
Outcome: To understand how to apply principles of typography with the elements of design and principles of design to produce the effects of design in various media to communicate, inform, entertain, promote, or direct, as taught in the lectures and presented in the text.
Assessment: Students will use Adobe InDesign to design the following pieces using principles and concepts taught in the course of the semester:
Personal name sign;
Unusual "needed" sign;
Wedding or senior announcement
Showcard advertising a local organization/event;
Article with pull quotes;
Final project: business system—including business card, stationery, envelope, poster, menu, newspaper ad
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Text
Williams, Robin (2008). The Non-designer’s Design & Type Book: Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice, DeluxeEdition. Berkeley, California: Peachpit Press. ISBN 978-0-321-53405-7
Required Materials
Notebook
Pocket-size steno notebook
Binder
USB flash drive or external hard drive
Pica ruler
Adobe CC subscription