Overview

To introduce students to and facilitate a fundamental understanding of, typographic forms, terminology, typesetting systems and conventions, grid structure and hierarchy using a variety of technologies. The unit aims to develop a critical awareness of the visual relationships between content and meaning through the exploration, application of typographic form with layout and design principles.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite

Enrolled in any of the following courses;
BA-ARC Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
OR
Admission into Bachelor of Design Courses (including double degrees)
OR
BA-DID Bachelor of Innovation and Design
OR
BB-DESBUS Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business
OR
BB-DESMCMN Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Media and Communication

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
07-July-2025
05-October-2025
Last self-enrolment date
20-July-2025
Census date
01-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
22-August-2025
Results released date
28-October-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe aspects of typographic history, development and terminology
  • Apply typographic expression and visual experimentation appropriately to the context in which it is used
  • Apply typographic classification and conventions to achieve effective sequential or structured communication for a variety of contexts
  • Report on the research and design development in typographic projects to achieve communication objectives
  • Construct complex narrative and interrelated designs and layouts with type and image
  • Appraise and reflect on the effectiveness of the design and development of typographic outcomes in relation to communication objectives

Teaching methods

All Applicable Locations

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
On-campus Studio 36 12 weeks 3  
Specified Activities Various 24 12 weeks 2 Online modules eg: Readings, Quizzes
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 90 12 weeks 7.5 Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Project 1Individual 0% 1,2,4,6 
Project 2Individual 0% 1,2,3,4,6 
Project 3Individual 0% 1,2,3,4,5,6 

Content

  • Using typography to form and achieve communication objectives
  • Type history and development, terminology, conventions and technology
  • Type form, families and classification
  • Type legibility and expression
  • Information and typographic hierarchies, composition, spatial manipulation and layout
  • Grids, proportions, page and document structure for print
  • Typesetting using InDesign multipage functions
  • Publication design contexts, standards, conventions and innovations

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.