Approved Course Outline

GRA 1206 - Typography

College of Fine Arts and Humanities
Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 92
Fall 2025 (655)
Course Description
This course provides the student with information and hands-on experience using type as a design element. The course addresses techniques, applications and problem-solving strategies specific to typographic layout and design. An introduction to electronic typesetting and page layout will utilize software specific to the graphic design industry.
Learning Outcomes and Objectives
  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of basic type, styles and their characteristics by:
    1. selecting and identifying type by its structural characteristics.
    2. describing the historical background of typefaces.
  2. The student will demonstrate appropriate type selection for visual design problem solving and communication by:
    1. selecting and utilizing a typeface appropriate to specific visual design problems.
    2. utilizing a selected typeface and applying it to effectively communicate a message in print or electrical publishing.
  3. The student will learn to space characters, words and typeset lines in both text and display sizes by:
    1. spacing characters, words, and lines of type with regard to maximum legibility and readability for effective visual and verbal communication.
    2. designing with type in traditional and electronic applications.
  4. designing with type in traditional and electronic applications.
    1. "marking up" typewritten copy for typesetting.
    2. proofreading and editing copy and marking with standard industry directions.
    3. measuring type and specify for layout design and copy fitting.
Criteria Performance Standard
Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.
History of Changes
C & I 11/25/97 DBT 12/25/97 EFFECTIVE Session 19981 C&I 11/24/98; DBT 12/14/98 Effective Session 19991. Effective 20021 State # Chg. reformatted 3 Year Review 2002 C&I 11/10/08, BOT 12/16/08, Eff29982(0405). Was 1104C, changed by Field Review 20101. 3-Year Review 2010: Acceptable As Is. C&I Approval: 11/10/2008, BOT Approval: 12/16/2008, Effective Term: Spring 2014 (480). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Fall 2016 (520).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2025 (655)
Related Programs
  1. Digital Graphic (DIG-CT) (430) (Active)
  2. Digital Media (DIG-AS) (660) (CC Approved)
  3. Digital Media (DIG-AS) (640) (Active)
  4. Digital Media (DIGME-BAS) (655) (Active)
  5. Digital Media (DIGME-TR) (655) (Active)
  6. Digital Media/Multimedia Foundations (DMFND-CT) (660) (CC Approved)