Exercise 5: Expressive Typography + Typeface Research
Source: Herb Lubalin Study Center Expressive Typography from Thinking With Type by Ellen Lupton Jacob Wise, Hardcore Soul – Never Sleep Books No 1. Lettering for a photography book by Ewen Spencer, organized by Gabber Eleganza. Source: It’s Nice That
Assigned: Class 5Due: Class 6
Learning Goals
Students explore typography as both functional communication and expressive art form while developing research skills and building visual vocabulary of contemporary and classic typeface design.Instructions
Part 1: Expressive Typography
Create a 4-artboard Adobe Illustrator file and export each page as PNG to Typography Exercises Figma file:- Page 1: Choose an adjective/adverb (e.g., fast, excited, movement) and express its meaning through ONLY typeface choice, spacing, sizing, and letter placement
- Page 2: Experiment by manipulating letterforms—edit outlines (Type→Create Outlines), scale, cut, crop, shift, turn, repeat, or transform letterforms
- Page 3: Choose a proper noun (name, place, person—not your own name) and express its character through thoughtful typeface selection
- Page 4: Use the same proper noun but express the OPPOSITE character using a different typeface and letterform manipulation techniques from step 2
Part 2: Typeface Research
Post to the same Typography Exercises Figma file:- Favorite Typeface: Find your favorite typeface used in context
- Image showing the typeface in use
- Typeface family classification (serif/sans-serif/slab serif/script/decorative)
- Designer name (research using Fonts in Use, Fount, or WhatTheFont)
- Explanation of why it's your favorite
- Contemporary Typeface: Choose from Are.na contemporary type foundries collection
- Pangram sentence image set in chosen typeface
- Typeface designer(s)
- Family classification
- Cost for small website license
- One fun fact about the typeface
- URL link to the typeface on the foundry website
Successful Completion Includes:
- Four distinct typography experiments show creative exploration of letterforms
- Clear concept execution in expressive typography demonstrates understanding
- Thorough typeface research includes all required information for both selections
- Professional presentation with organized layout in Figma
- Technical skill demonstration shows growing Illustrator competency