The Graphic Design Program website describes Typography as follows: ... These
explorations cannot be made up (unless extreme extenuating circumstances ...
MUART 251: TYPOGRAPHY Fall 2013, M.W.F. 2–3:50pm | Miami University Erin Beckloff |
[email protected] office: Hiestand 212 | office hours: M.W.F. 12:30-1:30pm and by appointment any time
The Graphic Design Program website describes Typography as follows: “This course concentrates on design principles relating specifically to typography. Project based topics include: design drawing, letterform constructions, and the visual enhancement of language and message. Typographic methods and terminology of both traditional and digital processes are also covered.” In other words, this course introduces you to typography (the study and application of type). Understanding how to design with type is a crucial skill for any designer. COURSE OBJECTIVES —working knowledge of the tools of the trade (i.e. CS5 or CS6) —an understanding of basic typographic terms and principles —the ability to knowledgeably manipulate type on a page or screen —in depth comprehension of the communicative properties of type COURSE STRUCTURE This class will be extremely demanding in mental focus and commitment involving many hours of homework. You may expect that 80–90% of class time will be spent in critique and discussion of work completed outside of class. The remaining 10–20% will be spent in in-class work, lecture and demonstration. ASSIGNMENTS The following four major projects, which overlap with related lectures. All phases of each project must be completed on time. Failure to complete all stages of a project (sketches, Proof One, Proof Two, Final) on time will result in an automatic one letter grade drop of the final project grade) —Project One: Monograms —Project Two: Splice —Project Three: Type Bits —Project Four: Type Poster In addition to the four major projects, students will take part in classroom and at home design explorations. These explorations cannot be made up (unless extreme extenuating circumstances exist). Attendance is imperative. Explorations are graded pass/fail. GRADING GUIDELINES Explorations 10% Participation/Discussions 10% Project One 15% Project Two 15% Project Three 15% Project Four 35% Note: Students are encouraged to continue revising projects after each project is graded. Projects will not be regraded based upon these revisions but extensive revisions will be considered in the final grade.
EXPECTATIONS All stages of each assignment are expected to be completed on time—the more developed your ideas and form are in class, the more feedback can be offered. Assignments are due at the beginning of class and must be cleanly comped and ready for presentation. Projects not comped and ready at the beginning of class will not be critiqued. Each project and exploration must be prepared according to the project specifications. Participation in critiques is essential. Email critiques will not be provided for students who miss class. Students are not allowed to have laptops open during critiques unless it is your turn and you wish to use the laptop to make notes about the critique of your work. GENERAL POLICIES —Attendance is mandatory. See more details about attendance policy under “Attendance.” —All work is due by the beginning of class on the assigned due date. Late projects drop automatically by one letter grade except for a medical excuse (signed by a doctor). —All late assignments receive a failing grade within a week of the required deadline. —All students must maintain a sketchbook for all explorations and projects. GRADING CRITERIA —Projects must meet deadlines —Project must be well crafted and neatly executed —Project must display conceptual and stylistic development —Project must display technical skill and development —Finished work must solve or respond to the required problem —In-class participation by the student is required during lectures, critiques, explorations and on the blog. CLASS BLOG Our class blog is 2013muart251.wordpress.com. Invitations to join the blog will be sent out during our first class. Access to the blog will be limited to members only so be sure to log in properly each time you access it. We will use this blog for explorations, discussions and finals of projects. Participation is mandatory so be sure to sign up for the account when you receive the invitation. Anything that you post on the blog must be categorized correctly. I will give you instructions about how to do this. Keep in mind that if the posting is not categorized correctly you will not receive credit for it. I will review all work categorized under your name at the end of the semester as I determine your final grade. Please check the blog daily for updates and announcements. All projects and handouts will be posted there instead of handing them out. You will also find a lot of helpful resources. You will be required to post projects on the blog or comment on the work of your peers. REQUIRED CLASS TEXTS Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton (Princeton Architectural Press, 2004) Detail in Typography by Jost Hochuli (Hyphen Press, 2008) RECOMMENDED CLASS TEXT 30 Essential Typefaces for a Lifetime by Imin Pao and Joshua Berger (Rockport 2006) going out of print There are lots of useful texts online accessible for free through Miami. I’m providing a link on the blog on the syllabus page of the blog. You will be asked to participate in a few lynda.com tutorials outside of class. These tutorials are accessible to you free of cost as Miami students. The information for accessing lynda.com correctly is provided on the Syllabus page of our blog. You cannot go directly to lynda.com and access it free of cost.
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SUGGESTED CLASS TEXTS Any design magazines, including but not limited to the following: Communication Arts CODEX I.D. Print Magazine Baseline Eye Novum There are several useful links on our class website. Explore them at your leisure. REQUIRED CLASS SUPPLIES a good computer with sufficient hard drive and RAM Adobe Creative Suite CS5 (or CS6) a sketchbook for exploration of project ideas access to a digital camera Cutting mat 18" x 24" or larger 24" straight edge (I recommend metal with cork backing) X-acto knife with cap and extra blades USB/thumb drives Adhesive for mounting projects Black mat board for final projects as specified on project briefs Tracing paper pad 9" x 12" or larger RESOURCE REDUCTION As designers it is our responsibility to me mindful of the resources we employ. Please endeavor to limit your paper production when it is not necessary and recycle the materials you do use when they are no longer of use. ATTENDENCE As stated in the Student Handbook, you are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. The attendance policy for this course is as follows: Up to three absences will be tolerated without penalty. Four unexcused absences will result in the final grade being lowered one letter grade (10pts. on a 100pt. scale). Five unexcused absences will result in the final grade being lowered two letter grades. The sixth unexcused absence will be regarded as the final cut and the Registrar will be notified to drop the student from the course. The three absence allowance is provided for emergency and health related situations. It is the student’s responsibility to provide information concerning all absences and you should speak to the instructor before missing a class. The determination of an excused (vs. unexcused) absence is up to the discretion of the instructor (doctor’s written excuse for example). Please do not arrive late or leave early from class. If you arrive late it is your responsibility to make sure you’re counted as present. Please see the student handbook for specifics on university policies. CONTACTING THE PROFESSOR Please contact me by email. I check my email regularly on university business days during the school year and during my office hours (not at 3 am.) So be reasonable in your expectations. Allow for a 24 hour response period. If you have an urgent question or need, please do not rely on e-mail as your only means of contact. STUDENT HANDBOOK Take some time to familiarize yourself with the student handbook, particularly in regard to safety and academic integrity (Chapter 5: Academic Integrity). This class adheres to all standards set out by the university handbook. Any instances of safety violations (improper or unauthorized use of equipment in the classroom, including Xacto knives) or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Always be prepared to show process (sketches, notes, etc) for all projects. Maintaining a sketchbook is a requirement of the class and should be taken seriously.
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES The University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students must submit official documentation in writing during the first two weeks of school to receive these accommodations. If you need more information about documentation of disabilities at Miami University please see me after class. All disabilities will be kept strictly confidential. RELIGIOUS OBSERVATIONS The instructor will gladly excuse the student from class for a religious observance that requires the student to be absent. If the observance may be made at any time during the day, please arrange to fulfill your religious obligation at some other time than during class. In addition, please note that Section 701 of the Student Handbook requires the student to tell the faculty the date of the observance, if officially known, in writing during the first two weeks of class. Please see the Student Handbook for additional details. SCHOOL SPONSORED ATHLETICS The instructor will excuse student athletes from class when necessary for school sponsored athletic events. However, please note that Section 701 of the Student Handbook requires the student to tell the faculty the date of the event in writing during the first two weeks of class. Please see the Student Handbook for additional details. USE OF EMAIL, PHONES, ETC. Feel free to arrive early to check email and surf, but no web surfing, email or instant messaging during class please. Additionally, cell phone use is prohibited during class. Please turn off your ringer. If you must take an emergency call, please leave the room. If there are extenuating circumstance (like a terminally ill parent) please let me know. Students are not allowed to have laptops open during critique unless it is your turn and you wish to use the laptop to make notes about the critique of your work. COMPUTER FAILURES No allowance is made for computer or network failures. Be sure to back up your work frequently, and do not wait until the last minute to complete the assignment. Download Dropbox to back up working files and use a portable hard drive paired with Time Machine for periodic comprehensive backup. (Note: Adobe Creative Cloud will offer the same kind of service as Dropbox in the future.) CLASSROOM CLIMATE This course is designed to encourage active participation on the part of students. It is critical that classroom discussions and critiques are conducted in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for the ideas of others. It is important to be mindful of differences—that is, we all come from a variety of experiences. All classroom discussion should be respectful of those differences so that our learning can be enhanced by all our contributions. As your instructor and as an individual I believe in a supportive climate that is conducive to learning and I will make every effort to create an environment which encourages interaction and mutual respect for differing ideas. All projects, explorations and examinations will be graded using a point system outlined as follows: A+ / 100 – 97 B+ / 89 – 87 C+ / 79 – 77 D+ / 69 – 67
A / 96 – 93 B / 86 – 83 C / 76 – 73 D / 66 – 63 F / 59 – 0
A- / 92 – 90 B- / 82 – 80 C- / 72 – 70 D- / 62 – 60
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EVALUATION The following outline is intended to act as general rules for evaluation, and is by no means to be used as a checklist by the student to self-determine their grades or placement within the course. It is given to help illustrate the overall expectations only and is subject to change as the course progresses. C: The student turns in all assignments on time and completes the objectives outlined within each project statement, participates on an average level within the discussions on each topic and receives average grades on all examinations. Displays some originality and improvement across course of semester. Average. A: The student meets the “C” minimum and additionally shows outstanding originality, above and beyond the outlined objectives within their execution of all assignments, illustrates an understanding of all topics within their research and project execution, scores high marks on all examinations and consistently participates in the class discussions in a manner that helps direct the overall direction of the course. Consistent work ethic, cooperative, experimental execution, significant improvement over the course of the semester. Superior. B: The student meets the “C” minimum and additionally shows strong originality, working beyond minimal objectives of each project assignment, illustrates a strong understanding of the topics as displayed within their research and project execution, scores well on all examinations, participates in the class discussions on a consistent level. Consistent work ethic, cooperative, imaginative execution, noticeable improvement over the course of the semester. Strong. D: The student fails to turn in all assignments completed and/or on time, does not meet minimum objectives of projects, shows little concentration or participation within the discussions, displays little originality, scores poorly on examinations. Evades responsibility, weak work ethic, no improvement over course of the semester. Poor. F: The student fails to execute minimum standards of assignments, evades cooperation, refuses to participate in group discussions, does not turn in assignments. Failing. ARCHIVAL IMAGES At the end of the semester, each student must turn in images of their two best projects for director review. One image of each project is sufficient. Dimensional projects should be comped up and photographed on a white background. Flat projects like posters may be saved straight into jpgs from the original digital file. Each image should be labeled in this way: [coursenumber]_ [projectname]_[studentlastname].jpg (For example: 251_Splice_Smith.jpg). Images should be jpgs, around 4"x 6" at 300 dpi. These images will appear in the Miami Graphic Design Flickr pool. Both images must be turned in for the course to be considered completed. KEEP IN MIND This schedule is subject to change based on our class discussion and determinations. Updated versions will be posted to our blog as they become available. Assignments for the week will always be listed in the assignment page of our blog. Not all readings are listed—additional required readings will be made available on the class blog during the semester based upon class projects and needs. Projects and explorations are due on the dates listed.
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SCHEDULE Fall 2013: Typography, 2013mu251.wordpress.com Erin Beckloff, Miami University PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is subject to change based on our class discussion and determinations. Updated versions will be posted to our blog as they become available. Assignments for the week will always be listed in the assignment page of our blog. Unit One: Letter WEEK ONE
M. AUG 26: Join our blog | Introduction to lynda.com tutorials. | Discuss font collection in lab | For Wed. Sept. 4, watch: Up and Running with Illustrator CS6 on lynda.com. | Read Thinking with Type LETTER pp.12-59 for Fri | Due Wed: Find example of typographic image (ie. poster, product) and post to blog for practice W. AUG 28: Watch Dropbox intro video | Introduction to Illustrator Interface | Demo: Navigating Illustrator and The Pen Tool | Letter Tracing (in class) Exploration | Complete Letter Tracing and upload .ai files to appropriate Dropbox folder before class Friday F. AUG 30: L ecture: Letter Basics | Discuss TwT Reading | Ornament Tracing Exploration due before class Wednesday, uploaded to appropriate Dropbox folder WEEK T WO
M. SEP 02: Labor Day, No class W. SEP 04: Lecture: Monogram design and its history | Introduction to Project One (Monograms) | In class: Work on monogram thumbnails | Due Fri: 40 monogram thumbnails, (20 serif/20 sans serif) F. SEP 06: Critique: 40 monogram thumbnails | Due Mon: 20 monogram revisions, (10 serif/10 sans serif ) Pass out paper for hand lettered name pages
WEEK THREE
M. SEP 09: C ritique: 20 monogram revisions, (10 serif/10 sans serif) | Due Wed: 2 final, full-size tight pencil monograms W. SEP 11: Critique: Final full-size tight pencil monograms (1 serif/1 sans serif ) | In class: photograph all students holding their hand lettered name pages in class. Wear something fun and bring hand-lettered signs. Due Fri: 2 final full-size tight pencil monogram digitized in Adobe® Illustrator® in presentation format F. SEP 13: P roject One (Monograms) Final due, mounted and posted to blog | Lecture: History of Type | Introduction to Project Two (Splice) | Due Mon: sketches/roughs of icon family concepts, minimum 3 different themes
WEEK FOUR
M. SEP 16: Critique: sketches/roughs of icon family concepts | For Wed: read Detail in Typography 7-31 | See assignment on blog: print out a and y and e as indicate. | Due Fri: Develop your sketches into black and white icons, experiment with ideas, focus on one set of three icons to present in class—print each icon in an 8 x 8 in. square Phase One (Splice) W. SEP 18: Discuss DiT Reading | Discuss a and y and e prints | Studio time F. SEP 20: C ritique: 8 x 8 in. square mounted icons Phase One (Splice) | Due Mon: revisions to Splice icon series based on crit feedback
WEEK FIVE
M. SEP 23: C ritique: 8 x 8 in. square mounted icon revisions Phase One (Splice) | Read for Wed: Thinking with Type pp. 80-83 W. SEP 25: Studio time | Discuss TwT F. SEP 27: P roject Two (Splice) FINAL due, mounted and posted to blog | Introduction to Project Three (Type Bits) | In class: begin working on sticker letterforms
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WEEK SIX
M. SEP 30: Critique: Phase One (Type Bits): bring in sticker letterforms, scan/post to blog and hang in the hallway. Make sure to write your name on each page. | Lecture: 1920s to Present Typography W. OCT 02: In class: register with Fontstruct.com; watch tutorial | Begin working on Phase Two (Type Bits) modular typeface in Fontstruct.com | Due Fri: printed letter-forms 11" x 17" unmounted sheet of paper with clever typeface name written on the top right corner of the page. | Note longer reading due next Wednesday: Thinking with Type TEXT pp.87-147 F. OCT 04: C ritique: Phase Two (Type Bits) modular typeface | In class: fill out modular class evals for classmates Due Mon: "Typophile" exploration
WEEK SEVEN
M. OCT 07: Discuss “Typophile” exploration using your typeface | Studio time W. OCT 09: P roject Three (Type Bits) FINAL due, mounted printout of entire alphabet and post to blog | Your font should now be available for download on Fontstruct.com | Discuss: Thinking with Type TEXT pp. 87-147 F. OCT 11: Fall Break, No Class
Unit Two: Text WEEK EIGHT
M. OCT 14: Introduction to design systems | Overview: InDesign Interface | Begin in class: Type Matters | Due Wed: Type Matters and Hierarchy Grid Explorations W. OCT 16: Before class upload to Dropbox: Type Matters and Hierarchy Grid | Demo: image and text frames, placing images and text, color | Due Fri: Environmental Systems Exploration (page layout principles and hierarchy) F. OCT 18: B efore class upload to Dropbox: Environmental Systems | Demo: paragraph styles, character styles, object styles, text wrap, organizational type | Due Mon: Design, Interacting Exploration (one page layout) | Introduction to Curmudgeon Press shop | Research for typographic poster design, due before class Friday, October 25
WEEK NINE
M. OCT 21: Modular Type Workshop with Brad Vetter | Note: long reading due on Mon: Thinking with Type GRID pp. 150-207 | Before class upload to Dropbox: Design, Interacting W. OCT 23: M odular Type Workshop cont. | Demo: master pages,auto page numbering, running headers, hyperlinks and interaction | Due Fri: Comprehensive Exploration F. OCT 25: B efore class upload to Dropbox: Comprehensive | Due: Research for typographic poster design posted to blog | In class: discuss typographic poster design research | Due Mon: Twenty-five appropriate typeface selections for your poster — front | Watch lynda.com tutorial: Up and Running with InDesign, if you haven’t already
Unit Three: Grid WEEK TEN
M. OCT 28: Discuss TwT GRID Reading | Lecture: Type poster, plastic evocative nature of type | Introduction Project Four (Type Poster) | Critique: (1) 25 typeface possibilities for emotional or evocative front (2) Research/text for topic, typed | For Wed: Front side — 30 thumbnail explorations (3 x 4.5 inches) | Useful as a resource: InDesign Typography (CS6) on Lynda.com W. OCT 30: Critique: Front side — 30 thumbnail explorations 3 x 4.5 inches | Due Fri: Front side revisions — 20 thumbnail explorations (3 x 4.5 inches) F. NOV 1:
ritique: Front side revisions — 20 thumbnail explorations | Due Mon: Front side revisions — C 20 thumbnail explorations (3 x 4.5 inches)
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WEEK ELEVEN
M. NOV 4: Critique: Front side revisions — 20 thumbnail explorations | Due Wed: Front side revisions — 10 thumbnail explorations (3 x 4.5 inches) W. NOV 6: Critique: Front side revisions — 10 thumbnail explorations (3 x 4.5 inches) | Due Fri: Front side revisions — 5 half-size explorations of selected work from critique F. NOV 8:
ritique: Front side revisions — 5 half-size explorations of selected work from critique C Due Mon: (1) Final full-size tight pencil (2) 20 color palette studies | Type Crimes Quiz
WEEK T WELVE
M. NOV 11: C ritique: Final full-size tight pencil and review 20 color palettes, color revisions as necessary Due Wed: Final revision as necessary to full-size tight pencil W. NOV 13: Critique: Final revisions as necessary to full-size tight pencil | Lecture: Review of typographic hierarchy/grid and structure | Due Fri: (1) Front side — computer implementation, printed half-size for ongoing critiques (2) 20 grid studies/thumbnails/layout design — poster backs (3 x 4.5 inches) F. NOV 15: C ritique: 20 grid studies/thumbnails — poster backs (3 x 4.5 inches) | Front side — computer implementation, printed half-size (12 x 18 inches). Continue to bring revisions of the front side of the poster to class for the remainder of the semester for revisions per instructor request. | Due Mon: 10 grid studies/ thumbnails/layout design — poster backs (6 x 9 inches) WEEK THIRTEEN
M. NOV 18: C ritique: 10 grid studies/thumbnails/layout design — poster backs (6 x 9 inches) | Due Wed: Select the best two directions, create two half-size tight pencil comps — poster backs W. NOV 20: Critique: Two, half-size tight pencil comps — poster backs | Due Fri: Computer implementation to best comp/direction — poster back F. NOV 22: C ritique: Computer implementation to best comp/direction — poster back half-size (12 x 18 inches) | Due Mon: Revisions to both the front and back of poster, print out half-size on Phaser WEEK FOURTEEN
M. NOV 25: C ritique: Revisions to both the front and back of poster at half-size | Due Mon: Revisions to both the front and back of poster, print out and mock up at full-size, tiled posters are fine. W/F. NOV 27/29 Thanksgiving Holidays, No Class
WEEK FIF TEEN
M. DEC 02: Critique: Revisions to both the front and back of poster at full-size (24 x 36 inches) | Due Wed: Revisions to both the front and back of poster, print out full-size and tile together | Note: photograph final poster to upload with project final. W. DEC 04: C ritique: Revisions to both the front and back of poster full-size | Studio time to put together process book using provided template or discuss posters | Everyone must post images for design archive on the blog by today! F. DEC 06: Project Four (Type Poster) FINAL due, full-size (printed and tiled) and post poster + photo on blog
WEEK SIX TEEN
FINALS Final Exam Period: Wednesday, December 11, 3–5pm Project Four (Type Poster) Process Book due by 3pm
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