GDES 220 - Typography I

Typography is introduced as both an art form and visual communication tool. Students will gain an understanding of the historical, technical, and practical aspects of typography, including a solid foundation in type classification and measurements systems. Students will produce compositions in a variety of formats emphasizing original solutions to problems concerning the organization of textual information. PREREQUISITE(S): ARTT 100 and ARTT 102, GDES 116, or consent of department. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101/ENGL 011. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory each week.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Apply the creative process of making thumbnail sketches, roughs, and comprehensives using only type to express an idea.
Employ formal elements and principles of art and design.
Utilize the specialized language of art and design when discussing one’s own work as well as the work of others.
Describe and differentiate characteristics of major type families.
Use traditional and digital graphic design tools to create effective visual communications.
Examine and analyze the relationship between the evolution of printing technology and its influence on the development of type characteristics.
Apply measurement systems and terminology used by typographers and graphic designers.
Evaluate the creative accomplishments of other people and cultures, past and present in the development of type and typography.

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