Course Title: Produce typographic design solutions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

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

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:

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

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


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 to review discussions/lectures
• practical demonstrations
• lectures
• design activities or projects
• seminar presentations
• group projects
• peer learning
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• workshops independent project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• studio practice
• tutorials
• ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
• other activities as decided by teaching staff

Out of class activities may include:
• Blog/Wiki discussion and participation
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• online activities


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.

  Teaching schedule and Assessment Matrix  
Week Activity Performance criteria
1 O week  
2 Intro - Font book, type management (opening fonts, replacing fonts, recognising fonts) type anatomy, InDesign basics 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
3 Wordsmithing - form & counterform, type on a curve, baseline shift,
limits of legibility
1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
4 Classification, type families, hierarchy & contrast 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
5 Leading and paragraph formats - Type selection, line length, type selection, legibility & readability 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 4. Produce typography  5. Manage type system
6 Kerning, tracking and alignment 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
7 Kerning, tracking and alignment 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
8 Pull quotes and panels 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
9 Brief 1 Type Specimen layout 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 5. Manage type system
10 Brief 1 Type Specimen layout 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system
11 AG Ideas  
12

Brief 2 Master pages & grids Page layout for GoodWeekend & Desktop

Brief 1 Type Specimen layout DUE

 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system
13 Brief 2 Master pages & grids Page layout for GoodWeekend & Desktop  1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system
14 Brief 2 Master pages & grids Page layout for GoodWeekend & Desktop  1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system
15 Brief 2 Master pages & grids Page layout for GoodWeekend & Desktop 1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system
16 Brief 2 Master pages & grids Page layout for GoodWeekend & Desktop DUE 8 June  1. Interpret the design brief. 2. Select and compose type. 3. Solve typographical technical and quality problems. 4. Produce typography. 5. Manage type system


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None required


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

Lynda.com - each student will be able to set up an account that will allow access to all of lynda.com’s online learning facilities. 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 to 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

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this course are graded.

Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.

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

Formative Assessment
1. Type Anatomy Exercise. Due Week 3 of Semester 1.
2. Wordsmithing Exercise. Due Week 4 of Semester 1.
3. Leading and Paragraph Formats Exercise. Due Week 6 Semester 1.
4. Kerning, Tracking and Alignment Exercises. Due Week 8 of Semester 1.
5. Pull Quotes and Panels Exercise. Due Week 9 Semester 1.

Summative Assessment
1. Brief 1 - Type Speciment Layout. Due Week 12 of Semester 1.
2. Brief 2 - Master Pages and Grids Layout. Due Week 16 of Semester 1.

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD Competency with High Distinction
CDI Competency with Distinction
CC Competency with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved Graded
CA Competency Achieved
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 learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

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 :
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy :
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

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 :
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

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 :
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview