Class Overview
So you want to design a typeface? Learn how to create a functional font -- from sketch to screen. Whether you want to hone your typography skills, improve your lettering practice, or become a type designer, this workshop will give you the tools to take your typographic skills to the next level.
In this workshop, you can create a text typeface, a display typeface, or anything in between.
If you enjoy typography, making your own text typeface might be the perfect project for you! Starting with broad-nib European calligraphy, students will gain fundamental knowledge of the structure and patterning of the Latin alphabet. Students will go on to learn precise hand-drafting techniques and how to use a font editor to refine their drawings into a legible, workhorse typeface. In this exercise, legibility is the name of the game. Students will learn to make design decisions to create a harmonious texture.
If you are interested in type design but find the rules limiting, creating an experimental display typeface is the project for you! Instead of poring over historical models, you can learn to generate surprising, new graphic concepts using an assortment of improvised materials. Students will be guided to experiment, stepping outside of their creative comfort zone to create a font for expressive, contemporary typography. In this exercise, legibility is an afterthought: students will learn to make design decisions to create letters that speak louder than words.
Students will use both analog media and digital media. Class time is dedicated to working on your project with individualized feedback, supplemented by occasional lectures, technical demonstrations, group critique, and guest critique. By the end of the class, you will have the beginning of a working typeface of your own invention, as well as a workflow that you can use for future font creation.
By the end of the workshop, you will have the beginnings of a typeface and will receive resources to continue developing your project in the future. Students are strongly encouraged to work on their projects outside of class to maximize their learning and progress—up to 10 hours per week is recommended (not required) if you would like to develop a full alphabet.
Supplies Needed
- Laptop computer
- Font editing software (Glyphs or Fontra have free versions)
- Adobe Creative Suite, Photopea, Gimp, Inkscape, and Affinity Publisher (free versions available), or similar software -- will discuss in class
Learning Objectives
- Learn basic calligraphy
- Understand the structure and patterning of the Latin alphabet
- Develop strategies for creative direction
- Discover original letterforms and how to make letters with experimental media
- Digitize and refine your design
- Learn how to optimize a typeface for text or display
- Become familiar with a digital type design workflow
Who Might Enjoy This Class?
- Graphic designers, illustrators, lettering artists
- Artists, crafters, creatives, architects, engineers, and book lovers
- Type designers looking to develop their skills
- Anyone who would like to try their hand at type design
- No prerequisites (basic graphic design/typography knowledge is a plus)