Industry leaders conduct a rigorous 5-week intensive program in typeface design this summer at Cooper Union’s New York City campus.
Note: Applications for admission to the 2013 Condensed program are due by midnight of Thursday, February 28, 2013.
About the Condensed Program
Students of the summer intensive program take part in an integrated foundational course of lettering, history, and theory. Tools and principles of digital typeface design are taught step by step through an individual typeface design project with Hannes Famira (principal, Kombinat-Typefounders) and Just Van Rossum (KABK Type]Media, LettError). History and Theory will be taught by Alexander Tochilovsky (The Studio of ME/AT, Herb Lubalin Study Center of Design and Typography) and veteran type designer Sumner Stone (former director of type at Adobe and founder of the Stone Type Foundry).The course is rounded out with workshops and lectures by visiting guests including Cyrus Highsmith (FontBureau, occupant.com), as well as field trips to notable typographic institutions in New York City.
In conjunction with lectures and independent research, instruction in both traditional and digital lettering techniques and styles will be used as a vehicle for exploring the history, the tools and techniques, the underlying structures, and the practical applications of letterforms from the ancient to the contemporary.
Building on this foundation, participants design and produce their own typeface as a font made to industry standards, and exit the program with the specialized skills needed to design professional-quality digital typefaces and lettering. A final review of work will determine successful completion of the program and a certificate will be granted accordingly.
Schedule
The Condensed program meets 4 to 5 days per week for 5 weeks, from June 17 to July 18, and provides a total of 162 in-class hours. Classes meet from 9 am to 9:30 pm in 2 and 3 hour sessions, with open studio time in between. Attendance to each session is required to earn the certificate.
Application Timeline & Fees
Applications will be accepted in the month of February 2013. The application deadline is midnight on February 28th, 2013. A $75 non-refundable application fee must be submitted for each application. Applicants may pay the application fee online here. Alternatively, the fee may be submitted by check, payable to The Cooper Union, sent to the mailing address below. Be sure to include a note with your full name and phone number.
The Cooper Union Office of Continuing Education
Attn: Kressent Pottenger
30 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
The program is limited to 15 participants. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance status by March 15.
Tuition for accepted applicants is $4,375, to be paid in full no later than Thursday April 4, 2013. Payment instructions will be provided with the acceptance notification.
Application Materials
Candidates are asked to submit the following application materials to type@cooper.edu with the subject heading “Typeface Design Application”. Your e-mail should include your full name, phone number, e-mail address and postal address. Please include these materials in a single print-quality PDF file, no larger than 20 megabytes:
- A letter describing your experience and interest in the graphic arts.
- A portfolio of 6 samples of your work in the graphic arts (no more than 10 images total, please) demonstrating knowledge of typography and lettering.
- A list of any relevant courses you’ve taken, including the school/ institution and dates taken.
- A supporting résumé with any further information which might be considered relevant.
For more information, see the FAQ section, or e-mail type@cooper.edu.