Gain a foundational understanding of typography, and learn how to design your first typeface.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
- Welcome
- What you should know
- What this course is and isn't
- Who are type designers?
- Why study typography?
- Pedigree
- Consistency
- Readability and legibility
- Utility
- Novelty
- Ubiquity
- Serifs
- Stroke angle, weight, and contrast
- General shape
- x-height
- Proportion
- Fit
- Shape variations
- Display and decorative faces
- Find good models
- Explore tools, methods, and materials
- Typeface vs. lettering
- Why is a plan necessary?
- Original or revival? Text or display? Serif or sans serif?
- What glyphs are needed?
- Draw glyphs with straight stems
- Draw the o's and shoulders
- Draw rounded glyphs
- Draw glyphs with shoulder-like curves
- Draw glyphs with arms
- Draw lowercase angled glyphs
- Draw uppercase angled glyphs
- Draw the s, S, and g
- Set keywords
- Digitize
- Print, critique, and revise
- Complete the character set
- Adjust the space around glyphs
- Adjust the problem pairs
- Test your font files
- Expanding your knowledge: Read, look, and listen
Taught by
Charles Nix