Course Title: Produce typographic design solutions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: GRAP9452C

Course Title: Produce typographic design solutions

School: 320T Architecture & Design

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5316 - Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Contact : Sarah Bunting

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9186

Course Contact Email:sarah.bunting@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Meave Queally

meave.queally@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this unit you will develop the skills and knowledge required to produce professional typography for a wide range of communication needs. The graphic designer combines confidence and skill in working with the elements and principles of design with a well-developed understanding of type.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUVGRD503A Produce typographic design solutions

Element:

1. Research type as visual communication

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research the history, theory and practice of typography and its application to design practice
1.2 Evaluate the ways that fashions in typography have affected commercial design practice
1.3 Evaluate current typography trends and their implications for professional practice

Element:

2. Analyse design needs

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Confirm communication objectives based on the design brief and consultation with relevant people as required
2.2 Evaluate design brief specifications
2.3 Source and evaluate other information pertinent to design brief

Element:

4. Manipulate and integrate type

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Apply a detailed knowledge of type fundamentals to explore options for type design
4.2 Use advanced technical features of software with skill and confidence to manipulate and arrange type
4.3 Explore different ways of integrating type within the design
4.4 Identify and resolve technical problems based on developing expertise
 

Element:

3. Develop ideas for typographic solutions

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess typographic options in the context of the brief
3.2 Identify and access sources of information and ideas about type to inform work
3.3 Experiment with different type fonts, faces and styles to determine suitability
3.4 Explore the creation of type through hand drawing and a range of media based on the needs of the brief
3.5 Consider the impact of the delivery platform and any production issues on type selection
3.6 Evaluate and select typographic approaches for their potential to meet the communication need
3.7 Produce and present visual representations of design ideas and confirm as required

Element:

5. Integrate type within the overall design

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Realise the design solution by working with the fundamental elements and principles of design
5.2 Integrate other visual design components into layouts
5.3 Explore ways of integrating all elements of the design
5.4 Realise a final design where the approach to type supports key communication objectives
5.5 Establish and follow protocols for saving, exporting and storing work

Element:

6. Evaluate typographic design solutions

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Evaluate typography from both a functional and aesthetic perspective in the context of the overall design
6.2 Evaluate the chosen solution and its potential to inform future work


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place in a classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.

Reference mode of delivery for this course: face-to-face

In class activities may include:

  • class exercises
  • tutorials
  • practical demonstrations
  • workshops
  • group discussion
  • review and revision
  • peer learning
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • workshopping of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback

Out of class activities may include:

  • independent research
  • independent project based work
  • studio practice
  • online tutorials and activities
  • review and revision


Teaching Schedule

 

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Week Activity Performance criteria
1 Course Introduction, Computer Lab Orientation GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
2

Introduction - Font book, type management (opening fonts, replacing fonts, recognising fonts), InDesign basics
 

Exercise 1: Type Anatomy

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
3

Exercise 2: Wordsmithing - form & counterform, type on a curve, baseline shift, limits of legibility
 

Exercise 1 DUE
 

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
4

Exercise 3: Classification, type families, hierarchy & contrast. Leading and paragraph formats - Type selection, line length, legibility & readability

Exercise 4: Leading and paragraph formats

Exercise 2 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
5

Exercise 4 (continue): Leading and paragraph formats
 

Exercise 3 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
6

Exercise 5: Kerning, tracking and alignment

Exercise 4 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
7 Exercise 5 (continue): Kerning, tracking and alignment

Exercise 6: Pull quotes and panels

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5
8

Brief 1: Typography 2 project - 4 page research project layout

Exercise 5 DUE

Exercise 6 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
9 Brief 1 (continue): Typography 2 project - 4 page research project layout GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
10 Brief 1 (continue): Typography 2 project - 4 page research project layout GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
11

Brief 2: Master pages & grids 
- Magazine Layout Brief

Brief 1 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
12 Brief 2 (continue): Master pages & grids
- Magazine Layout Brief
GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
13 Brief 2 (continue): Master pages & grids
- Magazine Layout Brief
GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
14 Brief 2 (continue): Master pages & grids
- Magazine Layout Brief
GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
15

Brief 2 (continue): Master pages & grids
- Magazine Layout Brief

Brief 2 DUE

GRAP9452C 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.7, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2
16 In-Class Assessment/Feedback GRAP9452C 6.1-6.2


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There are no compulsory prescribed text in this course – This course has recommended books listed under ‘References’


References

Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (2nd Edition)
by Erik Spiekermann & E.M Ginger

The Elements of Typographic Style
by Robert Bringhurst

Thinking With Type (2nd Edition)
by Ellen Lupton

InDesign Type: Professional Typography with Adobe InDesign (2nd Edition)
by Nigel French


Other Resources

You are advised to look at the Learning Hub at myRMIT site and also for Google Docs and Google Groups via your student Google Account for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year. Additional information relating to this will be provided on an ongoing basis. A digital resource folder resides on network server. Further information regarding access to this is available in the ‘Computer Survival Kit’ provided during orientation.

You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.

Amongst the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access Lynda.com for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or written tasks. Assessment tasks in this course are:

  • Design Project 1 (50% of final grade)
  • Design Project 2 (32% of final grade)
  • Series of exercises (18% of final grade)

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.


Assessment Tasks

Tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.

Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks and you should engage in all formative tasks.

This course has 2 Summative Tasks, all of which must be completed/submitted. Each task has an allocated percentage of the total grade. You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
 

To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.

Formative exercises
Exercise 1. Type Anatomy. Due Week 3 of Semester 1.
Exercise 2. Wordsmithing. Due Week 4 of Semester 1.
Exercise 3. Type Families. Due Week 5 of Semester 1.
Exercise 4. Leading and Paragraph Formats Exercise. Due Week 5 Semester 1.
Exercise 5. Kerning, Tracking and Alignment Exercises. Due Week 8 of Semester 1.
Exercise 6. Pull Quotes and Panels Exercise. Due Week 8 Semester 1.

Summative Assessment Tasks
Task 1 - 50%
Typography 2 Research Project Layout. Due Week 12 of Semester 1

Task 2 - 50%
Master Pages and Grids Layout. Due Week 16 of Semester 1.

At the completion of the course, grading will be offered in addition to, and after, competency based assessment.

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment are:
CHD - Competent with High Distinction.
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment
NYC - Not Yet Competent
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).

Other Information

Attendance
The major aspect of your learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity for success.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects. Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

Special Consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Submissions
When submitting work for assessment you are required to complete a declaration of authorship. This must be done for every summative assessment task. This statement acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. For non-digital submission use the printed form provided. For digital online submission please use e-Submission process. Information regarding the e-Submission process can be located e-submission

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview