TYMTDP-Typeface design: Reflective Practice

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 90 [45 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Email: g.leonidas@reading.ac.uk

Summary module description:

This module focuses on approaches to defining a typeface family, developing methodologies for typeface design, and expanding typefaces across multiple scripts.

Aims:

This module aims to equip students with the skills to define, plan, and design a multiscript typeface family. The module focuses on systematic and thorough approaches to researching

and realising a substantial typeface project.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• develop a design brief for a major typeface design project

• research primary and secondary sources relevant to the specific project

• design typeforms for a number of typeface variants

• research and design equivalent styles across scripts

• design stylistic variants within scripts

• manage a substantial project with multiple deliverables

Additional outcomes:

Students should also be able to communicate effectively on relevant matters: design concepts and procedures, presenting and explaining their own work. Students should also be able to

undertake self-directed independent work and integrate relevant research into practice.

Outline content:

Students develop a brief for a substantial typeface family, considering the character set, the script coverage, and the styles or weights. The typeface should arise from real user needs,

and respond with sensitivity to both technical constraints and the stylistic context, in all scripts covered. Students consider the integration of research in primary and secondary

sources for their project, and identify any specific design and technical methodologies that may be required. Design decisions are explained in relation to the needs addressed by the

project, existing work that may be relevant, and requirements for original contributions in each script context.



The typeface family expands to an agreed set of stylistic variants, in accordance to the brief and in consultation with the Programme Director. Typical projects may specify typefaces for

newspapers, reference works, signage applications, or text-intensive on-screen rendering. The design is supervised by staff in the Department in regular tutorials and workshops.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching takes place in a series of weekly tutorials, demonstrations, and critiques which run throughout the Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms. Regular and visiting members of staff and invited lecturers or demonstrators contribute with sessions or workshops on specific topics, to guide students to develop relevant skills. The sessions are informal, and facilitate group discussion of project work. Students are encouraged to be reflective about their own work, both in private through their workfiles, and in public during the tutorial meetings. They are expected to question and defend the choices they and other students make. Students engage in a range of reflective actions (short presentations of their work to the cohort, outlines of decisions and working practices, annotating their work with reflective texts) to explain their design process.

Other information on summative assessment:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Length of examination:

Requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of project work 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 27 March 2017