Typographic Systems
The grid, the scale and the argument on the page.
Typography treated as a system rather than a set of preferences. The course builds from the measure of a single line to a complete typographic programme capable of carrying a publication, an interface or an identity without collapsing.
5.4h
Study time
16
Lessons
4
Modules
4.9
Rating
336 reviews
Enrolled
5 of 16 lessons complete
Next up — Weight Is Cheaper Than Size (18 min)
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Subjects covered
6 topics
Knowledge map
What you will be able to do
- Set text that can be read for an hour without fatigue
- Build a modular scale and defend every step in it
- Design a grid that survives real, uneven content
- Specify a typographic system another person can implement
- Diagnose why an existing layout feels wrong
Curriculum
4 modules · 16 lessons
- 01Reading Is a Physical ActA close look at measure and the failures it is meant to prevent.16m
- 02Measure, Leading and FatigueHow scale works in practice, once the deadline is real.22m
- 03Choosing a Text Face on EvidenceThe working method for grids, reduced to what actually matters.20m
- 04Setting a Paragraph ProperlyThe judgement calls behind hierarchy, and what each of them costs.18m
- 01Building a Modular ScaleHow specimen works in practice, once the deadline is real.24m
- 02Weight Is Cheaper Than SizeThe working method for rhythm, reduced to what actually matters.18m
- 03Space as PunctuationThe judgement calls behind measure, and what each of them costs.20m
- 04Three Levels Are Usually EnoughWhere scale usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.16m
- 01Columns, Fields and BaselinesWhere grids usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.26m
- 02Designing for Uneven MaterialHow hierarchy works in practice, once the deadline is real.22m
- 03Breaking the Grid on PurposeWhere specimen usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.18m
- 04Responsive Grids Without CollapseMaking rhythm explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.24m
- 01What a Specimen Must ContainMaking measure explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.20m
- 02Documenting ExceptionsThe working method for scale, reduced to what actually matters.18m
- 03Handing a System to EngineersHow grids works in practice, once the deadline is real.22m
- 04Maintaining a System Over YearsA close look at hierarchy and the failures it is meant to prevent.20m
Assessment
Reading, exercises and written submissions. Quizzes check comprehension rather than recall.
Quizzes
- Measure, Scale and Grid6 questions · pass 70%
Assignments
- A Typographic Specimen30 points
What students say
- 5 out of 5Aiko Tanaka — Analyst
The quiz explanations are worth taking seriously — I learned more from the two I got wrong than from the four I got right.
- 5 out of 5Idris Farah — Engineering manager
What I did not expect was how much of this is about writing things down. Half the value was being forced to state what I was optimising for.
- 5 out of 5Meike de Vries — Product designer
The reading is short and the practice is not, which is the right way round. I finished the first module in an evening and then spent a week on the exercise.
Fictional reviews — demonstration content only
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