DOM-C1047 - Type Design Studio, 08.09.2020-01.10.2020

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

-understanding of type design principles, processes, and tools

-understanding of possible ways of integrating type design to one’s practice



Credits: 5

Schedule: 08.09.2020 - 01.10.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Markus Joutsela

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Markus Joutsela, Tuomas Kortteinen

Contact information for the course (valid 14.08.2020-21.12.2112):

Teachers-in-Charge

Tuomas Kortteinen

tuomas.kortteinen@gmail.com


(Markus Joutsela markus.joutsela@aalto.fi)

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CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course aims to break down the rigid distinction between makers and users of typefaces (i.e. between specialist type designers vs. more generalist graphic designers), and instead works towards positioning type design as one among many forms of drawing (although with its own technical restraints). That is to say, while type design remains a specialised tradition with its own disciplinary concerns and standards, it does not follow that non-specialist approaches aren’t interesting and important.

    Students will engage with a number of briefs exploring different ways of making and arranging letters and letter shapes, both digital and analog. The results of these briefs will be compiled into a jointly designed type specimen, which will function as the final outcome of the course.

    The course will feature a group of guest lecturers and critics (TBA) who will provide students with multiple different ways of approaching and engaging with type design as a part of their practices.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    In what kind of ways can we draw letters? What are the differences between writing, drawing letters, and simply drawing? When does an 'a' stop being an 'a'? And where does typography fit in all of this?


    The course will take the form of a game jam ('type jam'), where you will have a limited amount of time to complete three different typefaces (or the beginnings of). Because of the limited time frame, the idea is not to produce polished/finished typefaces but to build points of departure for exploring type design as a part of one's practice (and perhaps a more sustained type project in the future). Thus, the emphasis of the course will be on exploring different methods (both analog and digital) of sketching letterforms and building character sets. While remaining mostly tool-agnostic, the course will provide you with an introduction to Glyphs and various other digital tools of computed type design.

    You will not have to worry about questions of readability or beauty, and are free to explore formal weirdness as far as you like. The only rules you'll have to worry about breaking are the ones you set yourself.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    -processual assessment
                            Weekly presentations/tutor and peer evaluation
                            Final presentations/visiting evaluators

    -required attendance 80%

    -completed course assignments

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods:
    —required attendance 80%
    —executed course assignments
    —processual assessment: mid-course presentations/tutor and peer evaluation, final presentations/visiting evaluators
    —because
    of the limited timeframe and the workload, you will have to be present
    on the first day of the course for the introductory session in order to
    participate in the rest of the course.


Workload

  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    135 hours in total:

    56 hours contact teaching

    79 hours independent work

     

DETAILS

Study Material

  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    To be informed in syllabus.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Details on the course materials:

    Take a look at
    —Christoph Knoth's essay on Computed Type Design
    —Gerrit Noordzij's book The Stroke: A theory of writing
    —Jürg Lehni's essay Typeface as Programme

    Bring along if you happen to have:
    —calligraphy pens, nibs, markers etc
    —rulers, stencil sheets, french curves etc
    —your laptop



Prerequisites

  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    -familiarity with the basics of typography and typographic design

    -basic skills with vector graphics (anchor points, handles etc.)



     

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