Course · Typography
A font you'll love to read
0.1 / What it's about
Good typography supports the content.
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type, from individual characters to the entire page. The course guides you from letter anatomy through micro- and macro-typography to font selection and on-screen typography, applying the rules used in Switzerland.
As a running example, you'll be working with Theater Rheinufer, a small theatre in Basel, featuring posters, a programme booklet, and a website. You can also complete every exercise using your own project.
Key questions of the course:
QUESTION 1
How do you recognise and identify fonts?
QUESTION 2
Which characters and spacing make a text look professional?
QUESTION 3
How do you make text easy to read on paper and screen?
QUESTION 4
How to choose and pair fonts with rationale?
Course framework:
TARGET AUDIENCE
Creators
Students in graphic, media or communication design, and anyone who regularly formats and designs text.
SCOPE
5 × 90 mins
Plus final project; each module can also be taken individually.
FORMAT
Hands-on
Short input, tools, and practice on an end-to-end project.
REFERENCE
Cross-references
Connections to editorial design, UX & UI design, accessibility, and layout & prepress.
0.2 / Learning objectives
After the course, you'll use typography with intention.
After the course, you will be able to:
0.3 / Course content
All modules and sections at a glance.
Five modules, each with a core question and a tool. Briefly explained, then tried out for yourself.
MODULE 01
What is a font made of?
MODULE 02
What happens between the letters?
MODULE 03
How does text turn into a readable page?
MODULE 04
Which font fits?
MODULE 05
How does typography behave on screen?
0.4 / Procedure per module
Each module follows the same structure.
Each module has the same structure, so you can quickly find your way around and also use it individually.
01
Introduction (10 mins)
An everyday observation.
02
Input (20 mins)
Basics and rules.
03
Tool (15 mins)
Explore the topic in the interactive tool.
04
Exercise (35 mins)
Application to a project of your own.
05
Reflection (10 mins)
What do you take forward into your work?
In each section, you will find a bolded key point and a task for further reflection.
0.5 / Record of achievement
In the end, there is a typographical system.
Final project: a typographical system for a real or fictional institution, featuring a poster, text page and website.
01
Analyse
Clarify content, media, and requirements.
02
Select
Choose fonts with good reason and clarify licences.
03
Set
Microtypography according to Swiss rules.
04
Organise
Set typesetting, scale, and hierarchy.
05
Transfer
Apply the system to poster, page and website.
Evaluation criteria: justified choice of typeface, correct microtypography, good legibility, clear hierarchy and a consistent system.
0.6 / Literature and Sources
Good typography has role models.
• Bringhurst, R. (2004): The Elements of Typographic Style. 3rd edn. Hartley & Marks.
• Willberg, H. P. & Forssman, F. (2010): Lesetypografie. Verlag Hermann Schmidt.
• Forssman, F. & de Jong, R. (2004): Detailtypografie. Verlag Hermann Schmidt.
• Ruder, E. (1967): Typography. Niggli.
• Müller-Brockmann, J. (1981): Grid Systems in Graphic Design. Niggli.
• Swiss Federal Chancellery: Style Guide.
• Google Fonts Knowledge: fonts.google.com/knowledge
Please note: The years indicate the edition used here.