Typography is the art of manipulating the visual form of language to enrich and control its meaning. It鈥檚 an essential area of skill and knowledge for graphic designers. Typography predates modern graphic design by around 500 years; it is rich in rules, conventions, and esoteric terminology鈥攂ut it remains an exciting space for invention and expression. In this rigorous introductory course, we will study, name, and measure the characteristics of letterforms. We鈥檒l consider the pragmatic concerns involved in selecting and combining type. We鈥檒l peek into the 鈥╮ich historical, cultural, and aesthetic histories of familiar typefaces. We鈥檒l discuss time-tested conventions and best practices in setting type, as governed by principles of hierarchy and spatial organization. And we鈥檒l explore the expressive, meaning-making potential of type. Informative lectures will be complemented by a series of three peer-assessed assignments, culminating 鈥╥n an opportunity to design a full-scale typographic poster. Please note that this is not a software course; a basic working knowledge of Adobe InDesign or other 鈥╬age layout software will be assumed. You will need access to a computer and page layout software, such as InDesign, to complete the assignments.