NCAD
Wednesday evening 1 hr online + Saturday 4hrs in-person (over 4 weeks)
Level 9 Award Professional Certificate
€600
07/30/2023
On this four-week intensive course, you will explore the full potential of typographic communication, from the expressive to the functional, through the creation of a visual identity project for a location in Dublin.
Participants will learn about typographic research methodologies and typographic meaning, typographic systems and multilingual typography, and crafting logotypes and letterforms.
This course is for creative visual communicators looking to refine and develop their typographic skills, and to gain experience in researching, creating and structuring a visual identity project. It is suitable for learners with an appreciation of the importance of typographic influences when creating, communicating and messaging. It offers an opportunity to enhance your professional skills and portfolio through the exploration of the creative potential of typography.
Learners will refine and develop their typographic skills through the creation of a visual identity project for a location. They will explore the full potential of typographic communication, from the expressive to the functional, through the professional framework of visual identity design.
Learners will be introduced to typographic research methodologies and typographic meaning,
typographic systems and multilingual typography, and crafting logotypes and letterforms.
There will be a focus on the theoretical underpinnings, contemporary issues, topics and concepts relating to typography, introducing learners to the fundamental principles and processes of the discipline, and enabling the learner to approach creative work from a theoretically informed perspective.
Typographic Futures is a creative professional development programme for designers beginning their careers. Upon completion, participants’ portfolios will include a typographic visual identity project made to industry standards. Further, the typographic skills acquired will have application in all areas of communication design.
Prerequisites
A good working knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator is required.
Assessment
Learners will be assessed on their own project.
Programme outline
This course will run from 5th – 30th August 2023.
4 × Weeks
Saturday (4h)
1hr Lecture/Seminar
3hrs Studio workshop
Wednesday 1hr Online.
Alternating between tutorials and guest lectures
Independent work
Students are expected to complete 8 hours of independent work each week.
Week 1
Saturday:
Typography and place
An introduction to key concepts in location branding, and typographic research methodologies (identifying the typographic and linguistic character of a location).
Assignment: Identify location in Dublin for typographic visual identity project.
Wednesday Guest Lecture:
Unthink, branding location and culture. Unthink are a Dublin-based branding design agency with an in-depth knowledge of Irish cultural branding and a creative approach to typography.
Week 2
Saturday:
Typographic meaning
Identifying and deploying cultural, historical and connotative meanings in typefaces. Typography and language: punctuation, casing, and language guidelines.
Assignment: Develop typographic voice.
Wednesday:
Tutorials, online
Week 3
Saturday:
Typographic systems
Distinguishing different functions for typography within a system, and assigning appropriate form. Working with multiple languages and/or scripts.
Assignment: Develop typographic system
Wednesday Guest lecture:
Aoife Mooney, an introduction to type design and lettering for brands. Aoife Mooney is a typedesigner who has designed fonts at Hoefler & Frere-Jones and Google Fonts, and is an Associate Professor at Kent State University.
Week 4
Saturday:
Logotype
We will explore the purpose of logotypes (what is a logotype for? Why don’t you begin with the logo?) with the crafts of letterspacing and letter modification for logotypes.
Wednesday:
Tutorials, online
Week 5
Submit final project
Educational Standard
All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)
Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work may be prescribed.
You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.
Applicants who have not been educated through English must show proof of achieving IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 in the writing section on the Academic Version) or an equivalent score in another accepted test.
As part of your application, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documentation:
You can see the full list of the English Language Qualifications NCAD recognises at this link.
Course code: AD473PC
Apply via NCAD HERE.
This course will run from 5th – 30th August 2023.
Kilkenny Arts Office has joined forces with CFA to offer bursaries this Autumn to artists seeking to gain new qualifications and skills to expand their practice. The bursaries range from €500 to a maximum of €2,000. Find out more HERE
A CFA scholarship encourages the participation of learners from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education by offering one free place on all of our CFA short courses.
Find out if you are eligible to apply HERE
Fill in the CFA@NCAD scholarship application form HERE
Programme coordinator
Robin Fuller fullerr@staff.ncad.ie
Admissions Contact
A CFA scholarship encourages the participation of learners from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education by offering one free place on all of our CFA short courses.
