Creating revival typefaces is one of the best ways to learn the fundamentals of type design. In this condensed 5-week course, you will learn how to create a font based on a historical reference. Each student will begin with an inspiring source of type and will use that as the foundation for your revival project.

Starting your type design journey with a revival typeface is a great way to learn the nuances of creating a type system. It immerses the designer in the logistics and software without the pressure of creating an original prototype. Throughout the development of a revival font, you will learn how to study your type revival sources to understand the intentions behind the work and be able to take your own typographic liberties where you see fit.

Whether you’re a graphic designer, a beginner type designer, or trying it for the very first time, you will learn the ins and outs of the type design process with like-minded comrades. At the end of this course, you will have the skills to continue your type design practice or feel prepared for a longer type design program. You will have enhanced your typographic vocab and gained an intimate understanding of what it takes to be a type designer. Let’s revive type together!

Audience and Format

This class is open to beginner through intermediate type design students. We will cover the process of making a font from ideation to creating your very own type specimen. It is meant for students who would like a rigorous yet supportive environment for learning about type design.

This class is taught online via Zoom. With an accompanying Slack channel, students will have a communal space for sharing work and troubleshooting. Each week, students will be expected to watch pre-recorded lectures and spend a few hours outside of class working on their typeface.

Goals

• Create a revival typeface based off of a historical reference
• Have an understanding of the type design process
• Create a supportive community of type enthusiasts

Learning Outcomes

• Learn the ins & outs of the Glyphs App
• Learn how to design Latin caps (A-Z)
• Develop an eye for spacing
• Gain proofing skills & a typographic vocabulary
• Create a small type specimen that celebrates your project

Material Requirements

• High-resolution image(s) of the typeface(s) you'd like to digitize containing the characters A-Z in uppercase
• Reliable Internet connection
• Mac computer (laptop or desktop)
• Glyphs App (a free temporary license will be issued to each student)
• A free Zoom Account
• A free Slack account (an invitation to a class group will be sent to each participant)
• A license to a professional Graphic Design Software such as Adobe Creative Suite or Affinity Designer to test the fonts.
• A black chisel tip marker (Sharpie or preferred black ink marker)
• Pentel Presto Jumbo Correction Pen or white-out
• Black ink or paint
• A drawing pad or paper (8.5” x 11” or larger)

Software Requirements

The instructor will be working, demoing, and providing tutorials using Glyphs App (Mac only). A temporary Glyphs App license will be provided to all participants for the duration of the class. However, you’re welcome to use Fontlab (Windows and Mac) or Robofont (Mac only) as long as you’re comfortable with troubleshooting technical issues by referring to your font editor’s manual or forum.

Scholarship Information

A scholarship seat is available for this course. Please check out more details on the scholarship page. This scholarship is open to all Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, with priority given to those who have limited resources or access to educational opportunities.