Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Graphic Design Essentials: Introduction to Typography
Master typography to elevate your graphic design skills
Type is all around us. It’s in the books we read, the websites we visit, and the logos we recognise. The study of typography allows us to understand type and how it enables us to communicate and express meaning in creative and informative ways.
On this six-week practical course from Leeds Art University, you’ll gain a basic introduction to typography and receive guidance on creating a strong portfolio to showcase your work.
By the end, you’ll be able to apply your new skills in graphic design projects and create type that is both visually appealing and functionally effective.
Learn to develop custom type skills
You’ll start by understanding type classification, terminology, and anatomy to enable you to make informed design choices.
Next, you’ll gain custom type skills by experimenting with weight, contrast, and tone, allowing you to design unique, impactful letterforms that enhance visual communication.
Delve into grid and layout techniques
To further your skills, you’ll learn to utilise grids and layout techniques, enabling you to craft clean, structured, and professional layouts.
You’ll then move onto modular type, using geometric forms to design your own letterforms. This hands-on approach will help develop your creativity as you draw inspiration from diverse sources.
Build your graphic design portfolio
Finally, you’ll learn to professionally assemble your work into a compelling portfolio to showcase your typographic designs professionally for education, clients, or employers.
By the end, you’ll have the confidence to display your designs, setting a strong foundation for your graphic design career.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Typography
Welcome to the Course
A warm welcome to the course, the tutor and week 1 of your learning content. This week we start with some basic definitions and examples.
What is Typography?
Introduction to the fundamentals of typography, including key terminology and concepts, and how to identify types of photography in their environment.
End of Week 1
A quick summary of what you've learnt this week and what to expect from week 2.
Week 2
Type Anatomy
Welcome to week 2
A brief look at the week ahead and what you'll be learning.
The Anatomy of Type
In this activity we will be defining what we mean by type anatomy, and exploring the components which make up letterforms.
Shape Analysis
In this activity we'll explore how basic geometry can be used to inspire and create letterforms.
End of Week 2
A quick summary of what you've learnt this week and what to expect from week 3.
Week 3
Modular Type
Welcome to Week 3
A brief look at the week ahead and what you'll be learning.
Modular Type
In this activity you'll build on your shape analysis from week 2 to then creating your own typography using a 'modular type' approach.
End of Week 3
A quick summary of what you've learnt this week and what to expect from week 4.
Week 4
Grids
Welcome to Week 4
A brief look at the week ahead and what you'll be learning.
Grids in Type Design
In this activity we explore the power of grids and how they can guide the consistency of type design. You'll get hands on and create your own type within a grid.
End of Week 4
A quick summary of what you've learnt this week and what to expect from week 5.
Week 5
Weight, Contrast and Tone
Welcome to Week 5
A brief look at the week ahead and what you'll be learning.
Weight Contrast and Tone
In this activity we'll take a look at the effects of weight and contrast, and that can impact the tone of type design. You'll get hands on with experimenting these with your modular type.
End of Week 5
A quick summary of what you've learnt this week and what to expect from the final week.
Week 6
Building a Portfolio
Welcome to Week 6
A brief look at the week ahead and what you'll be learning.
Develop your Portfolio
In this activity we'll discuss what makes a good portfolio and put it in to practice by arranging the work you have created during this course.
End of the Course
Time to celebrate completing your course by reflecting on what you've learnt on the course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe key typography concepts
- Explore the anatomy of letterforms and the visual elements that make up typefaces.
- Develop skills in creating modular letterforms
- Practice effective use of grids in type design
- Investigate the impact of weight, contrast, and tone on typography's mood and communication
- Experiment with a hands-on, playful approach to type design
- Engage with an iterative design process, using visual research to inform and guide creative decisions
- Practice presenting work for a professional portfolio
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in designing and understanding typography. This includes those aspiring to study graphic design at university, or enter into graphic design roles such as printmakers, publishers, web designers, User Interface and User Experience designers (UI/UX).
Who will you learn with?
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
---|---|---|---|
Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 7 Apr 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 7 Apr 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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