Learning Type Design
1h 47mBeginner2017-06-07
Authors

Charles Nix
Designer, Typographer, and Educator
Course details
If you want to become a good type designer, diving into the study of type is beneficial. It's important to know what makes a good face, how details are used to define a family, and how to edit your designs so that they look well balanced and consistent, not off-kilter. In this course, join Charles Nix as he sets you on the right path with best practices and details on how to achieve a cohesive collection of letters. He helps you understand exactly what makes a typeface great, explores tools, methods, and materials, shows how to draw the basic glyphs, and explains how to produce a functioning font.
Learning objectives
Why study typography?
What makes a typeface great?
Serifs
Stroke angle, weight, and contrast
Shape variations
Finding good models
Typeface vs. lettering
Drawing the basic glyphs
Producing a functioning font
Printing, critiquing, and revising
Learning objectives
Why study typography?
What makes a typeface great?
Serifs
Stroke angle, weight, and contrast
Shape variations
Finding good models
Typeface vs. lettering
Drawing the basic glyphs
Producing a functioning font
Printing, critiquing, and revising
Skills covered
TypographyMotion Graphics and VFXGraphic DesignLearningAnimation and Illustration
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - What you should know
- 03 - What this course is and isn't
- 04 - Who are type designers
- 05 - Why study typography
1. What Makes a Typeface Great
- 06 - Pedigree
- 07 - Consistency
- 08 - Readability and legibility
- 09 - Utility
- 10 - Novelty
- 11 - Ubiquity
2. What Makes a Great Typeface
- 12 - Serifs
- 13 - Stroke angle, weight, and contrast
- 14 - General shape
- 15 - x-height
- 16 - Proportion
- 17 - Fit
- 18 - Shape variations
- 19 - Display and decorative faces
3. Pre-Production
- 20 - Find good models
- 21 - Explore tools, methods, and materials
- 22 - Typeface vs. lettering
- 23 - Why is a plan necessary
- 24 - Original or revival Text or display Serif or sans serif
- 25 - What glyphs are needed
4. Drawing the Basic Glyphs
- 26 - Draw glyphs with straight stems
- 27 - Draw the o's and shoulders
- 28 - Draw rounded glyphs
- 29 - Draw glyphs with shoulder-like curves
- 30 - Draw glyphs with arms
- 31 - Draw lowercase angled glyphs
- 32 - Draw uppercase angled glyphs
- 33 - Draw the s, S, and g
- 34 - Set keywords
5. Producing a Functioning Font
- 35 - Digitize
- 36 - Print, critique, and revise
- 37 - Complete the character set
- 38 - Adjust the space around glyphs
- 39 - Adjust the problem pairs
- 40 - Test your font files
Conclusion
- 41 - Expanding your knowledge - Read, look, and listen