The orgins of abc

http://ilovetypography.com/2010/08/07/where-does-the-alphabet-come-from/#more-8906

Project 1: Bitmap Font Making

Careful observation of letterforms is an essential part of the projects remember no curves or diagonals. We will only exercise on capital letters.
bitmap fonts are built out of the pixels (picture elements) that structure a screen display. Whereas a postScript letter consists of a vectorized outline, a bitmap character contains a fixed number of rectilinear units that are either “on” or ”of”. Outline fonts are scalable, meaning they can be reproduced in a high- resolution medium such as print at nearly any size. Outline fonts are hard to read on screen at small sizes, however, where all characters are translated into pixels. Pixel fonts are widely used in both print and digital media. Begin sketching at school, complete design is due to following week. Develop a concept for a new font whose forms relate to an 9/9 square grid. Each box in the grid must be either ‘on' or ‘of'. You have no curves or true diagonals. Represent the letters A, B, C, P, Q, R, in capitals only.

Draw your letterforms on a sheet of graphic paper. Consider proportion, weight, and structural features such as height of crossbars, how elements end, how to accommodate curves and diagonals within the grid of squares, etc. Give your typeface a name.

About the course

Suggested books:

Carter, Rob; Day, Ban; Meggs, Philip. Typographic Design: Form and Communication
New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.
.Kane, john. A type primer. London: Laurence King publishing Ltd.
.Baudin, Fernard. How Typography Works.Trans. Fernard Baudin.
London: Design Press,1989.
.Beaumond, Micheal.Type & Color Oxford: Phaidon Press, 1987.
.Craig, James. Designing with Type. Ed. Susan E. Meyer. New York:
Watson.Gutill, 1980.
.Gottschall, Edward M. Typographic Communications Today. Ed. Aaron Burns,
London:The MIT press, 1989
.Gray, Bill. Tips on Type. Lund Humphries,1989.
.McLean, Ruari. Thames and Hudson Manual of Typography. New York: Thames and
Hudson, 1988
.Lupton, Ellen. Thinking with type: a critical guide for drsigners, writers, editrors & students.New YorkPrinton Architectural
Press, 2004

Projects:
Each class you are expected to bring necessary material to work. I am expecting you to use class time effectively.
Projects will be evaluated on the basis of concept, design, use of tools, and craftsmanship.

Due Dates:
All work is expected to be completed by the due dates. Late projects will not be accepted.

Class Participation:
Class participation is important in learning process. Classroom interaction is very helpful to everybody.
Students will be expected to participate in all class activities. Lectures, discussions and critiques will take place regularly. I am expecting you to speak up.

Attendance:
Attendance to all class meetings is required. There will be something new taught every class meeting.
So you will come to class and be prepared to work! According to department policy students who miss more than 20% the classes (3 classes) be failed. Attendance will be taken in each class. Missed classes will lower your
final grade.

Grading :
Grading will be based on assigned projects, craft, concept, exploration, sketching, class participation and involvement.

Projects: % 70
Participation: %10
Final Exam:% 20

Course Syllabus

This course will introduce you to principles/evolution of typography with concentration on drawing letterforms, typeface identification, layout formulation. Assignments investigate principles
of lettering.
Week: Subjects Covered
1. (September 28.) Introduction/Getting to know typographic elements.
Project 1: Type Prototype
2. (October 05.) Work in process/ Lecture on anatomy and evolution of letterforms.
3. (October 12.) Presenting Project 1/ Project 2: Designing Letterforms.
Understanding contrasting visual characteristics of letterforms. Lecture on type specimens.
4. (October 19.) Work in process
5. (October 26.) Presenting Project 2 / Lecture on selecting and using type.
Project 3: Positive Negative Joinary.
6. (November 02.) Work in process
7. (November 09.) Holiday
8. (November 16.) Presenting Project 3/ Project 4: Establishing visual hierarchy
in the composition.
9. (November 23.) Work in process
10. (November 30.) Work in process
11. (December 05.) Presenting Project 4/Project 5: Typesetting issues, legibility,
readability
12. (December 12.) Work in process
13. (December 21.) Work in process
14. (December 28.) EXAM
15. (January 04) Work in process