Learning Type Design

Gain a foundational understanding of typography, and learn how to design your first typeface.

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.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know
• What this course is and isn't
• Who are type designers?
• Why study typography?

1. What Makes a Typeface Great?

• Pedigree
• Consistency
• Readability and legibility
• Utility
• Novelty
• Ubiquity

2. What Makes a Great Typeface?

• Serifs
• Stroke angle, weight, and contrast
• General shape
• x-height
• Proportion
• Fit
• Shape variations
• Display and decorative faces

3. Pre-Production

• Find good models
• Explore tools, methods, and materials
• Typeface vs. lettering
• Why is a plan necessary?
• Original or revival? Text or display? Serif or sans serif?
• What glyphs are needed?

4. Drawing the Basic Glyphs

• Draw glyphs with straight stems
• Draw the o's and shoulders
• Draw rounded glyphs
• Draw glyphs with shoulder-like curves
• Draw glyphs with arms
• Draw lowercase angled glyphs
• Draw uppercase angled glyphs
• Draw the s, S, and g
• Set keywords

5. Producing a Functioning Font

• Digitize
• Print, critique, and revise
• Complete the character set
• Adjust the space around glyphs
• Adjust the problem pairs
• Test your font files

Conclusion

• Expanding your knowledge: Read, look, and listen