2/5/2025 7:48:28 AM	ART 50A Course Outline as of Fall 1981	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ART 50A	Title:  INTRO LAYOUT & FORM
Full Title:  Introduction to Layout and Letterforms
Last Reviewed:9/28/1998

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  03 - May Be Taken for a Total of 3 Units
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

An introduction to the creative application of typography and lettering in various layout designs. Projects explore the aesthetic principles of using type and imagery for effective visual communication. A brief history of the alphabet, its basic form, and an overview of the rich variety of typefaces available to designers. Developing ideas from preliminary roughs to finished comps.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Art 3 or 7A or enrollment in the Applied Graphics Program.

Recommended Preparation:
Drawing and design skills

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Intro to the creative application of typography & lettering in various layout designs. Projects explore the aesthetic principles of using type & imagery for effective visual communication. Brief history of the alphabet, its basic form & an overview of the rich variety of typefaces available to designers. Developing ideas from preliminary roughs to finished comps.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Art 3 or 7A or enrollment in the Applied Graphics Program.
Recommended:Drawing and design skills
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:03 - May Be Taken for a Total of 3 Units

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:	Fall 2010
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Develop a basic understanding of the Roman alphabet, its basic

   proportions and form.

2.  Create original designs that investigate various concepts of

   typography and layout.

3.  Gain an understanding and appreciation of good layout design

   principles.

4.  Become familiar with a wide range of typefaces and their distinctive

   personalities.

5.  Use a variety of design tools and media to gain hand skills and an

   understanding of how they can be employed effectively.

6.  Develop basic design skills and the ability to think creatively.

7.  Become familiar with visual resources, type specimen books, and

   pubications used by designers.

8.  Become familiar with drafting tools, photocopy machines, light

   table, lucy, and other equipment used by designers.

Topics and Scope

During the course students will:

1.  Draw the basic form of the Roman Alphabet and analyze the basic

   proportion of capitals and lowercase letterforms.

2.  Apply basic design principles to the layout and design of the printed

   page.

3.  Through practice, develop a sensitivity to aesthetic concerns relating

   to selecting typefaces, sizing, and placement in a variety of design

   situations.

4.  Learn the basics of grid design for layout and produce a variety of

   designs which demonstrate the integration of graphic elements

   (photographs, illustrations, rules, etc.) with display and text type.

5.  Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of

   letterspacing, wordspacing, linespacing, and typographic composition

   through the design of such items as announcements, brochures and

   newletters.

7.  Learn to do preliminary roughs and then develop their ideas into

   finished comprehensives.

8.  Study the history of printing and typography from Gutenburg to

   modern times.

9.  Analyze the design of letterforms over the centuries and become

   familiar with the major typefaces and designers - Jenson, Baskerville,

   Caslon, Bodoni, Zapf, et al.

10. Study the dynamics of how we read and understand the principles

   necessary for legibility and readability of type.

11. Study the mechanics of typography including the measuring systems,

   spacing, and various processes used to set type.

12. through practice, learn how to fit copy into a specific space, choose

   type fonts and calculate column width, depth, etc.

13. Analyze and select typefaces for a given situation based on their

   appropriate flavor, weight, texture and aesthetic appeal.

14. Learn to use the computer to set type digitally and explore its

   creative possibilities for the layout and design of the printed

   page.

Assignments:

1.  Draw the basic proportions of the Roman Alphabet and analyze the

   basic proportions of capitals and lowercase letterforms.

2.  Design the 27th letter of the alphabet for the Caslon typeface.

3.  Create an original expressive alphabet using ink and brush.

4.  Create an original expressive alphabet using cut or torn paper.

5.  Apply original letterforms to a broadside/poster design to

   communicate a specific emotional mood or feeling.

6.  Design a series of logotypes for 3 companies, each exploring 3

   distinctively different typefaces.

7.  Create a series of pencil roughs developing copy indication skills.

8.  Render a full page layout as a pencil comp including a headline

   and body text.

9.  Working from a manuscript, do a character count and calculate layout

   requirement for the text of a chapter of a book. Make thumbnail

   roughs and one full size comp. Complete this exercise by typsetting

   the layout on the Macintosh computer.

10. Explore the creative possibilities of making abstract designs from

   repeated letterforms. Apply letter patterns to a finished

   comprehensive in color. Format to explore a package design.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 30%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 10 - 30%
Class performances
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 80 - 100%
A PORTFOLIO OF COMPLETED WORK WILL BE MAJOR BASIS FOR COURSE GRADE. ATTENDANCE, EFFORT, GROWTH, AND CLASS PARTICIPATION

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGN: FORM & COMMUNICATION by Carter, Day, & Meggs.

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