Weeks 2 to 4 · about 16 hours
Module 2: Word/Meaning
Instructor notes (instructor view only)
- Install check: by Part 3 every student needs Illustrator or InDesign running. Message anyone who has not posted vector work by the Part 3 Discord deadline.
- Part 1 is a handwritten list on purpose; reject typed lists kindly and allow a resubmission inside the late window.
Build list before this module opens
- Create and caption the video: Word/Meaning walkthrough: the constraints, a strong thumbnail sheet, common mistakes (4 minutes, captioned)
Objectives
Module 2 objectives. By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- 2.1 Classify the anatomy of letterforms in lettering you photograph, using the vocabulary of the reading. (Course Competency 2; Understand)
- 2.2 Generate 50 descriptive verbs and at least 20 hand thumbnails for each of five chosen words within fixed constraints. (Course Competency 4; Create)
- 2.3 Construct five vector designs that express meaning through placement, scale, and positive and negative space. (Course Competency 4; Create)
- 2.4 Revise your designs in response to peer critique and justify each final design in one sentence that names the principle it uses. (Course Competency 6; Evaluate)
Overview
Make five words look like what they mean, using nothing but type: no color, no pictures. Isolating type first shows that placement and scale carry meaning before anything else can distract. The project moves from 50 handwritten verbs, to 100 hand thumbnails, to vector designs, to a refined final.
Watch
- Word/Meaning walkthrough: the constraints, a strong thumbnail sheet, common mistakes (4 minutes, captioned)
- Videos are posted in Canvas before the module opens.
Read
- Typography Handbook (open textbook), anatomy and classification chapters
- Google Fonts Knowledge, “Introducing type” lessons
Practice
Play Kern Type (about 15 minutes, desktop) and screenshot your score for your own reference. Ungraded.
Assessment
- Reading: Letter and Type Anatomy: 5 points, Exercises; due Sun Jan 31 at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 1: Fifty Verbs: 10 points, Process Work; due Thu Feb 4 at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 2: Thumbnails: 10 points, Process Work; due Sun Feb 7 at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 3: Vector Designs: 10 points, Process Work; due Thu Feb 11 at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 4: Final Designs: 30 points, Projects; due Sat Feb 13 at noon
Critique
Every Process Work and Project step is posted to #avc183-graphic-design-1 by noon the day before it is due, with three comments that each name a design principle.
Due
- Reading: Letter and Type Anatomy: due Sun Jan 31; hard close Mon Feb 1, all at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 1: Fifty Verbs: Discord Wed Feb 3; due Thu Feb 4; hard close Fri Feb 5, all at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 2: Thumbnails: Discord Sat Feb 6; due Sun Feb 7; hard close Mon Feb 8, all at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 3: Vector Designs: Discord Wed Feb 10; due Thu Feb 11; hard close Fri Feb 12, all at noon
- Word/Meaning Part 4: Final Designs: Discord Fri Feb 12; due Sat Feb 13; hard close Sun Feb 14, all at noon