James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

[Contents]

GA1220:03

Typography 1

Townsville

Inadmissable Subject Combination: GA1114 GA1115 GA1116 GA1124 GA2112 GA2131 VA1181 VA1182

13 lectures, 13 tutorials, 26 hours practicals. Second semester.

Staff: Ms K Carter.

This subject introduces students to the creative, aesthetic and functional role of type in visual communication and design practice. Students are introduced to the discipline and artform that is typography and examine the ways in which the effective use of type can enhance communication. Type and typefaces, in association with written and pictographic systems of communication are examined from historical, cultural, technical and creative perspectives. Type history, type anatomy and typographical terms are studied, along with page structures and layout techniques, type design, type selection and the creative application of typographical processes. The selection and design of type for traditional, conventional and digital use is studied. The role of type as a design element in its own right, the function of words as images and the use of fully typographical solutions as a creative response to design tasks are areas studied in depth. In the second part of the semester, digital and screen based applications are analysed, leading on to an examination of contemporary and experimental typographical practice. Students will examine how type is managed in several computer design and publishing programs (Quark, PageMaker, FreeHand, Illustrator, Word) and will learn how to apply typographic principles from within these programs.

Learning Objectives:

  1. understand the history of the written and printed word;
  2. appreciate the role and function of type as a key element in the process of visual communication;
  3. recognise a range of type families and select and use appropriate styles from within them for use in composing complex documents;
  4. demonstrate a range of critical and analytical skills in relation to using type as a design element in its own right;
  5. understand how type is managed in a range of key pre-press and design programs;
  6. use an understanding of typographical principles to enhance the legibility, readability and aesthetics of a range of text focussed documents;
  7. awareness of historical and contemporary trends in type design and typographical practice;
  8. awareness of the different design and production requirements of printed and screen based applications.

Assessment by tutorial presentation (20%); four practical assignments (80%). Attendance of less than 80% at practical workshops will render students ineligible for assessment unless prior written approval has been obtained from the lecturer, academic adviser or Head of College.

[Contents]