DSGN 3764 - Design + Typeface Creation
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 43809,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Michelle Nelson
Email: mnelson@ysu.edu
Course Description
3764. An investigation of typeface design. Students will develop one or more unique typefaces and the promotional materials used to market them. Students will research the history of type design, current trends and cultural inspirations. Prereq.: C or better in DSGN 2662 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Readings |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19 | No Readings | Purchase and Install FontSelf for Adobe Illustrator Project 1 Sketches Assignment:: Typography & Videos Visual Review :: 8 Initial Digital Letterforms |
• Wed 10/21/26 11:59 PM • Wed 10/21/26 11:59 PM • Thu 10/22/26 11:59 PM • Sun 10/25/26 11:59 PM |
| 10/26 | No Readings | Visual Review 2 : 21 Digital Letterforms • Thu 10/29/26 11:59 • Sun 11/1/26 11:59 PM |
• Wed 10/28/26 11:59 PM Discussion Post Assigned Videos & Key Typography Ideas Visual Review 3 & Peer Critique 26 Digital Letterforms |
| 11/2 | No Readings | • Wed 11/4/26 11:59 PM • Thu 11/5/26 11:59 PM • Sun 11/8/26 11:59 PM |
Visual Review :: 39 letters (26 Lowercase + 13 New Uppercase) Reflection on Creating Fonts with Fontself, Illustrator, and Photoshop Project 1 :: Visual Review & Peer Critique :: All 52 Uppercase and Lowercase Letters |
| 11/9 | No Readings | • Wed 11/11/26 11:59 PM • Sun 11/15/26 11:59 PM |
Visual Review :: Revised 52 Upper/Lower + Numbers Visual Review & Peer Critique :: Upper/Lower/Numbers + Special Characters |
| 11/16 | No Readings | Wed 11/18/26 11:59 PM Wed 11/18/26 11:59 PM Sun 11/22/26 11:59 PM |
Initial Concept Sketches Project 1 :: Final Font Characters Due Visual Review :: First Digital Drafts |
| 11/23 | No Readings | Wed 11/24/26 11:59 PM Sun 11/29/26 11:59 PM |
Project 2 :: Final OTF (Font Files) Due Visual Feedback & Peer Critique :: Poster/Wallpaper/Sticker |
| 11/30 | No Readings | Wed 12/2/26 11:59 PM Thu 12/3/26 11:59 PM |
Final Project 3 Submission Discussion: Video/Typography Discussion |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.