Most designers jump straight into choosing fonts without understanding how letters are constructed or why certain combinations work. This course starts with what actually matters: the anatomy of letterforms, how to classify typefaces beyond "serif" and "sans-serif," and the spacing systems that separate amateur work from professional typesetting.
You'll learn optical adjustments—why mathematical spacing looks wrong and how your eye should guide decisions. We cover kerning pairs that always need attention, leading calculations for different text lengths, and hierarchy systems that don't rely on making everything bigger or bolder.
Expect exercises in analyzing existing typefaces, measuring and adjusting spacing by eye, and building type systems for real content scenarios. We use both digital tools and manual methods because understanding the principles matters more than memorizing software shortcuts.
The technical side includes OT features, font licensing basics, and how rendering differs across platforms—stuff that affects your actual design work. No motivational content about "finding your voice" through type, just practical skills for setting text that people can read comfortably.