Typography
Overview
To introduce students to and facilitate a fundamental understanding of, typographic forms, terminology, typesetting systems and conventions, grid structure and hierarchy using a variety of technologies. The unit aims to develop a critical awareness of the visual relationships between content and meaning through the exploration, application of typographic form with layout and design principles.
Requisites
Pre-requisite
Enrolled in any of the following courses;
BA-ARC Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
OR
Admission into Bachelor of Design Courses (including double degrees)
OR
BA-DID Bachelor of Innovation and Design
OR
BB-DESBUS Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business
OR
BB-DESMCMN Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Media and Communication
01-June-2025
05-October-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe aspects of typographic history, development and terminology
- Apply typographic expression and visual experimentation appropriately to the context in which it is used
- Apply typographic classification and conventions to achieve effective sequential or structured communication for a variety of contexts
- Report on the research and design development in typographic projects to achieve communication objectives
- Construct complex narrative and interrelated designs and layouts with type and image
- Appraise and reflect on the effectiveness of the design and development of typographic outcomes in relation to communication objectives
Teaching methods
All Applicable Locations
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Studio | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | |
| Specified Activities | Various | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 | Online modules eg: Readings, Quizzes |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 90 | 12 weeks | 7.5 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project 1 | Individual | 0% | 1,2,4,6 |
| Project 2 | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,6 |
| Project 3 | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Content
- Using typography to form and achieve communication objectives
- Type history and development, terminology, conventions and technology
- Type form, families and classification
- Type legibility and expression
- Information and typographic hierarchies, composition, spatial manipulation and layout
- Grids, proportions, page and document structure for print
- Typesetting using InDesign multipage functions
- Publication design contexts, standards, conventions and innovations
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.