Learn Type Design Online

No classes, no schedules, no videos. Just one-on-one typography tuition with the most experienced type designer in Australia. The course is taught in modules, so you choose how many modules you study and the pace at which you do them:

• Module 1: Fundamentals of Type Design
• Module 2: Font Construction
• Module 3: Make a Working Font
• Module 4: Advanced Fontmaking

Typeface course overview

This is for anyone who wants to design fonts to a professional standard. You might be a graphic designer, art director or creative director who wants to be better at type. You might be an aspiring professional type designer, or you might just have a fascination with fonts.

No videos!
This font design course is taught by a real human, one-on-one. Your personalised lessons are conducted online (via Zoom) and supported by email review. You get direct access to your tutor, personalised study plans, and the flexibility to study when your schedule permits.

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Wayne Thompson

Wayne is an Australian typeface designer best known for ABCSans, seen daily on millions of ABC screens around Australia. He holds a Masters Degree in Typeface Design from the University of Reading, UK, and he has been a full time typeface designer and university lecturer for 17 years. Over the past few years Wayne has designed type families for Officeworks, News Ltd, V Energy and Breville, but also enjoys working on smaller clients such as a boutique brewery who pays him in beer.

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How it works

You just need time, right? Everyone is busy, so you choose your own session times. This gives you the flexibility to study while accommodating busy schedules, work and family commitments. There are no deadlines, so you choose the pace at which you learn. Take as little or as long as you want! Of course, if you’re one of those people who needs deadlines, we’re happy to provide them… it’s all about you!

In each session, your tutor will take you through some theory, then demonstrate a typography technique and help you with the first steps. Then, he’ll give you stage goals to complete before the next review. When you’re ready, contact your tutor and schedule your next session.

The course is taught in modules, so you choose how many modules you study and the pace at which you do them. Each module is built on personal demonstration from your tutor, supported by review and discussion. After each lesson you practice the techniques while progressing your typeface design, with email review between sessions. This typeface design course is a hothouse of industry design techniques, so that you finish knowing what to do next, and what tools to use.

So, what’s in the course?

Topics covered include type history, typeface styles, proportions, weight, negative space, type anatomy, legibility (including serif vs sans-serif), spacing, kerning, and Opentype coding. Advanced students can choose to extend their learning into topics such as webfonts, colour fonts or variable fonts if they choose.

Every student is different, and the course content and pace is customised for each individual. However a sample curriculum might look like this:

Module 1 :: Fundamentals of Type Design

Topics covered: 
• Type History and Classification
• Letter anatomy
• Stroke contrast
• Styles

Practical Component: 
Design and construction principles – a guided process in which you draw your own typeface under supervision and regular review from your tutor. Techniques you will learn are extracted directly from professional workflows which you can apply to all future designs.

Module 2 :: Font Construction

Topics covered: 
• Techniques for creating good vector outlines
• Legibility principles: proportions, x-height and negative space
• Character Sets and special characters

Module 3 :: Make a Working Font

Topics covered: 
• Introduction to fontmaking software
• Spacing and kerning
• Naming, installing and testing
• Technical considerations

Module 4 :: Advanced Fontmaking

Topics covered: 
• Extending your font into a professional family
• Advanced Opentype coding
• Colorfonts and variable fonts

How is this different to other font design courses?
You choose the pace. You choose the level. Modules go up in difficulty as time progresses, and you choose how far you go. And the methodology you will learn is unique and forged from 20 years of commercial experience!

Cost
$850 + GST per module.

Materials Required
A3 paper
Broad-nib marker (or chisel-tip marker)
Pencil
Eraser
Ruler
Computer (mac recommended)
Adobe Illustrator (recommended)
Glyphs software (free alternatives are available)

More Typography Courses
You can also attend online handlettering workshops, or book custom typography training for your staff. For agencies and branding studios, typographic consultancy is available.

Purchase Tickets Below or Make An Enquiry

Type Design FAQs

Do I have to design a particular kind of font? 

No, the principles we teach apply, generally, to all typefaces whether they are text or display. However our teaching has an emphasis on legibility and there are some sections which are more applicable to text typefaces, so you may need to adjust your approach depending on the style of typeface you are designing.

Do I get a qualification? 

No, this is not an AQF accredited course with an associated qualification. There is no institution anywhere in Australia offering an accredited qualification in type design. In fact, they only exist in a few countries in the world. Rather, this course is geared towards practical training for those interested in this unique skill, from a tutor who is highly experienced and uniquely placed to deliver it. Please think of this as training rather than study.

Is it just a bunch of Youtube videos?

Definitely not. Instead, it’s personalised teaching with an actual human. You have 24/7 access to your tutor by email and Zoom for feedback and guidance over multiple rounds of revisions, as you are guided through the design, construction and finishing process.

Do I need software?

Yes. We assume that, since you registered for the course, you’re serious about type and willing to invest in professional software. We recommend the industry standard software Glyphs, but there are some free alternatives if you need.