Lettering & Typeface Design
Letterforms is the online instance of the Typeface Drawing course of the Bachelor in Communication Design of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (FBAUP)
A passion for creating letterforms
In this course we aim to nurture and develop the student’s passion for drawing letters in all shapes and forms, as they are encouraged to progress from drawing and designing by hand (calligraphy and lettering) into designing and producing functional digital typefaces (digital type design).
Theory and History
Explore the foundational theories of type design development through Henestrosa, Meseger and Scaglione’s approach. Learn about Gerrit Noordzij’s theory of the Stroke and Gerard Unger’s innovative methods. Delve into the evolution of type over the past 500 years, guided by Paul McNeil’s selection of influential designs.
Hands-on foundational training
Develop essential calligraphic skills using a broad nib pen, informed by the art-based history of Claude Mediavilla, and the calligraphic methods and instructions of Sheila Waters and Christopher Haanes.
This hands-on training module focuses on mastering ductus proportions and spacing, providing a solid foundation for creating well-balanced letterforms.
Original Design & Lettering
Enhance your drawing skills and techniques with an emphasis on balance and form, inspired by Ivan Castro and Martina Flor’s lettering methods and design framework.
This module is dedicated to fostering originality and precision in your lettering projects through the development of a first individual assignment, helping you to create visually striking and harmonious lettering compositions.
Digital Training
Gain proficiency in digital font production with Fontlab supported by comprehensive video playlists and custom tutorials developed specifically for this course.
This module equips you with the technical skills needed to transition your designs from paper to digital, enabling you to produce functional and high-quality typefaces.
Research & Development (Revivals)
Engage in type revivals and contemporary interpretations, exploring the intersections of historical typefaces and modern design.
This research-focused module encourages innovative thinking and the development of unique type solutions, bridging the past and present in type design.
Project Design & Development (Production)
Collaborate on a final group project that involves digital font production and its application in a communication design artifact.
This final comprehensive group assignment consolidates the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the course, culminating in a practical and professional fully functional digital font design project.
Practice-based education
This course is organized into three main modules dedicated to promote and encourage students to study the origin of the development of the Latin Alphabet and practice its writing, to provide students with the necessary drawing and design skills to create functional compositions, and to provide the foundational technical skills in digital type design and font production using professional software.
Induction
- Historical context and theoretical frameworks influencing contemporary type design.
- Hands-on writing and calligraphy training, focusing on the foundational Latin alphabet.
- Training exercises and individual feedback during online and in-person moments
Read more about this initial module or check out the course portfolio
Lettering Design
- Lettering drawing techniques and processes;
- Development of originality and precision in projects, focusing on stroke contrast, weight distribution, and positive/negative spaces
- Individual lettering and graphic design composition assignment.
Read more about this foundational module or check out the course portfolio
Variable Font Design
- Digital training using industry-standard software
- Type revivals and original or contemporary typeface design research and development.
- Complete functional variable font production
- Group assignment applied into a communication design artifact.
Read more about this consolidation module or check out the course portfolio
…at the end of the day, it’s all worth it when you have the font installed and can “type” what you’ve designed!
Ricardo Sousa
Alumni