ES_Work

What makes a good typeface?

Unpublished

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I get asked this question a lot. My answer is always fairly vague: there’s history, fashion, technology, experience, users to consider. Most of these parameters are subjective. A few things, however, can be established by looking closer.

What is Bold as opposed to Medium? How much contrast makes a face Modern? How oblique is an Italic? I propose a workshop looking at objective parameters, e.g. measurements. We’ll pick what we consider relevant typefaces (that alone will be an interesting discussion) and proceed to establish some parameters that “good” typefaces have in common. Gathering those parameters (shape of serifs? relationship of x-height to caps? stroke width? etc) alone will be an eye-opener. As will be the methods to find them.

Obviously, this exercise is aimed at people who are looking for a way into type design, rather than experienced fontographers. We’ll be drawing as well as printing from our computers.

Class requirements: Online access, plus paper, pencils, measuring devices (aka rulers). I work in metric, so this will also be a lesson in the metric system for US students.

Fees and deadlines

1 workshop : TDC members $425.00, Non members $500.00
4 workshops : TDC members $1,275.00, Non members $1,500.00
(come to all 4 workshops, only pay for only 3)

• Workshops are limited to 20 students. After 20 registrations, names will be added to a waiting list
• Registering for a One Day Workshop will entitle the “student” to attend the entire lecture series for free.
Based on student registration the TDC will reserve the right to cancel the workshop(s) and lecture(s).

Register online now.

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