No longer confined to the printed page, typography is a fundamental element of contemporary design practice that is evident across screen, print and the built environment. This course offers an introduction to this dynamic field, providing a grounding in typographic concepts, terminology, and production practices. The course considers both the history of typography and the multitude of contemporary forms to which the practice has adapted. It aims to provide students with fundamental typographic competencies while also introducing them to the wealth of new opportunities for typographic exploration and development. Students conduct research, analysis and experimental production in the process of designing and producing typographic works for print, screen, and three-dimensional forms. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology;
2. adapt and apply typographic design across print, screen and three-dimensional forms;
3. conduct research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production; and
4. substantiate design outcomes with research and rationale.

Additional Course Costs

This course will have a Materials Fee. At the ANU School of Art & Design, each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. The Materials Fee  is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant. The exact cost of the Materials Fee will be updated in the Class Summary for each semester in which the course is offered. The full SOAD policy can be read here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.

AFTERHOURS ACCESS

Students have the option to obtain additional access to workshop and studio spaces outside of class delivery. Afterhours Access is defined as access to workshop and studio spaces outside of business hours (8am – 6pm) between 6pm - 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday. It is afforded to students by paying an Afterhours Access Fee each semester.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture One: Fundamentals Part OneType Fundamentals and Anatomy
2	Lecture Two: Fundamentals Part TwoTypography Research Sprint
3	Lecture Three: Fundamentals Part ThreeHand Lettering Illustrator Typography Fundamentals
4	Collage, papercut, scan and manipulation Illustrator	1: Type Crimes
5	3d construction; stop-motion animation
6	Projection and Environments	2: Type Experiments: Small, Medium, Large (due in midsemester break)
7	Context and concept sprint.	Project group formation
8	Wayfinding, signage and information design. Investigating materials, technologies, approaches.
9	Type at scale. Large format and multi-page layout in InDesign	Design Proposal Presentations
10	Project Work
11	Project Work	WIP presentations
12	Project Work	3: Type in Context
13	ANU Exam Period	4: Type in Context Reflection and Rationale

Tutorial Registration

All enrolment for this course is managed via ISIS. Academic staff cannot enrol students.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Type Crimes	20 %	18/08/2025	1,3,4
Type Experiments: Small, Medium, Large	30 %	01/09/2025	1,2,4
Type in Context	40 %	27/10/2025	1,2,3,4
Type in Context Reflection and Rationale	10 %	03/11/2025	3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Type Crimes

This assessment requires you to identify a minimum of 5 different type “crimes”. Include crimes that apply to both letter and text. 

Lupton, E. (2004). Thinking with type: A critical guide for designers, writers, editors, & students. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

• Letter features: see Chapter One Letter
• Text features: see Chapter Two Text

 

Identify Your Type Crime

Find examples of poor typography in your everyday physical environment. Your examples should be a physical artefact from your everyday lived environment, such as: signage, poster, advertising, hoarding, retail display, brochure or flyer, pamphlet, map, menu. Choose examples that are bad but interesting, amusing, strange or high-profile. Make sure you can explain and demonstrate why it is unsuccessful!

 

Document and Analyse the Crimes

Thoroughly document your chosen examples using photographs. Document their context thoroughly (where, when, what is the intended function, how does it relate to its environment). Discuss the relationship between denotation and connotation. Identify and/or describe the typefaces used. What materials and techniques does it use? Deconstruct your examples using key typographic terms and concepts. Create a visual annotation for each example where you mark and identify specific graphic details.

Find and Analyse an Alternative Exemplar

Research and identify an example of typographic practice that addresses the same context and application successfully. For example if your chosen type crime is a cafe menu, your exemplar should be a cafe menu. Analyse and annotate your exemplar, using typographic concepts to explain why it is successful.

Submit your work as an illustrated five A4 page report (max 1000 words):

Page 1: Introduce and document Type Crime 

Page 2 & 3: Annotate and analyse Type Crime

Page 4: Introduce and document Exemplar  

Page 5: Annotate and analyse Exemplar

 

Submit your work as an illustrated five A4 page report (max 500 words):

 

Presentation requirements

Illustrated multi-page document, submit PDF via Wattle. Word limit: 1000 words

 

Assessment Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed against the following weighted criteria:

1. Concepts and Applications (50%): Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context
2. Research (30%): Conduct research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.
3. Presentation (20%): Effective visual and written communication

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	C	P	F
Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context.	Exceptional understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context.	Strong understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context.	Good understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context.	Adequate demonstration of understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application in context.	Fails to meet requirements.
Conduct research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.	Exceptional research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.	Convincing research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.	Sound research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.	Adequate research into design theories, artefacts and processes, and apply findings to creative production.	Fails to meet requirements.
Effective visual and written communication.	Exceptional visual and written communication.	Highly effective visual and written communication.	Sound visual and written communication.	Adequate visual and written communication.	Fails to meet requirements.

Assessment Task 2

Type Experiments: Small, Medium, Large

Based on practical in-class exercises, create three works of experimental typography using one small text, one medium text and one large text. These works should demonstrate your practical understanding of typographic design, as well as your ability to explore and experiment with typographic techniques and materials.

 

Texts

You may use any text you choose, but each experiment should focus on a different scale:

1. Small - a single word (maximum 12 characters)
2. Medium - a sentence or two (5-20 words). For example a haiku, a tweet, a saying or catchphrase.  
3. Large - at least three paragraphs (500-900 words). For example a poem, a magazine article or blog post, or a page or two from a favourite book.

 

Techniques

Your experiments should demonstrate a range of techniques. Build on those covered in class as well as researching, experimenting with and applying your own. Experiment with workflows that combine multiple different techniques into a process. Techniques may include:

• Hand lettering and calligraphy
• Scanner / photocopier manipulations
• Collage and papercuts
• 3d construction
• Photography (digital and/or analog)
• Digital fabrication (3d print or laser cut)
• Animation
• Digital Projection

 

Presentation requirements

Submit digital files and/or physical work (2d or 3d) as required. Where physical work is submitted please also submit photographic documentation of this work via Wattle.

 

Assessment Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed against the following weighted criteria:

1. Understanding Type (40%): Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application
2. Creative Experimentation (40%): Demonstrate imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques. 
3. Production and Realisation (20%): Demonstrate an ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce successful visual outcomes.

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	C	P	F
Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Exceptional demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Good demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Sound demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Adequate demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Fails to meet requirements.
Demonstrate imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques.	Exceptional demonstration of imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques.	Good demonstration of imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques.	Sound demonstration of imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques.	Adequate demonstration of imaginative creative experimentation with typographic techniques.	Fails to meet requirements.
Demonstrate an ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce s	Exceptional demonstration of ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce successful visual outcomes.	Good demonstration of ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce successful visual outcomes.	Sound demonstration of ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce successful visual outcomes.	Adequate demonstration of ability to control and resolve materials and techniques to produce successful visual outcomes.	Fails to meet requirements.

Assessment Task 3

Type in Context

This project requires you to demonstrate your practical understanding of typographic application for a specific context; your ability to research and develop design concepts; and your understanding of type technology and production. Building on learnings from tasks 1 and 2, you will complete a typographic redesign and generate a range of visual collateral for a specified client context. Details of the client, the design brief, and submission requirements will be shared in class and via Wattle.

 

Presentation requirements

Present your work in progress to the class in a non-assessable presentation in Week 11.

 

Assessment Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed against the following weighted criteria:

1. Understanding Type (50%): Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application
2. Responding to Context (30%): Demonstrate a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design
3. Technique and Production (20%): Understand and control technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	C	P	F
Demonstrate an understanding of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Exceptional demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Good demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Sound demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Adequate demonstration of key typographic concepts, principles and terminology and their application.	Fails to meet requirements.
Demonstrate a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design.	Exceptional demonstration of a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design.	Good demonstration of a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design.	Sound demonstration of a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design.	Adequate demonstration of a research-based understanding of the brief and its context, and apply this in your design.	Fails to meet requirements.
Understand and control technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.	Exceptional understanding and control of technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.	Good understanding and control of technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.	Sound understanding and control of technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.	Adequate understanding and control of technology, materials and techniques to produce successful design outcomes.	Fails to meet requirements.

Assessment Task 4

Type in Context Reflection and Rationale

Prepare a brief report on your Type in Context project. Include the following:

 

Contributions and Rationale

Document and account for your individual contributions to the group project. Provide a rationale for your key design decisions — explain and justify your reasoning and decision making with reference to research and analysis.

 

Reflection 

Reflect on the project outcomes overall, including a discussion of specific strengths and weaknesses. Be specific and support your discussion with evidence. Also, reflect on the process of group collaboration, including your role in that collaboration. Describe what worked and what didn’t, including successful or unsuccessful strategies and approaches to collaboration

 

Presentation requirements

Illustrated document, submit PDF via Wattle. Word limit: 500 words.

 

Assessment Criteria

Your assignment will be assessed against the following weighted criteria:

1. Contribution (40%): Demonstrate and document effective contribution to a group process.
2. Rationale (40%): Substantiate design outcomes and account for your design decisions
3. Reflection (20%): Provide thoughtful and candid reflection on a design process and outcomes

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	C	P	F
Demonstrate and document effective contribution to a group process.	Exceptional demonstration and documentation of contribution to group process.	Good demonstration and documentation of contribution to group process.	Sound demonstration and documentation of contribution to group process.	Adequate demonstration and documentation of contribution to group process.	Fails to meet requirements.
Substantiate design outcomes and account for your design decisions.	Exceptional substantiation of design outcomes and design decisions.	Good substantiation of design outcomes and design decisions.	Sound substantiation of design outcomes and design decisions.	Adequate substantiation of design outcomes and design decisions.	Fails to meet requirements.
Provide thoughtful and candid reflection on a design process and outcomes.	Exceptional provision of thoughtful and candid reflection on design process and outcomes.	Good provision of thoughtful and candid reflection on design process and outcomes.	Sound provision of thoughtful and candid reflection on design process and outcomes.	Adequate provision of thoughtful and candid reflection on design process and outcomes.	Fails to meet requirements.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students