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 2012 Condensed program are due by midnight of Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

About the Condensed Program

Students of the summer intensive program take part in an integrated foundational course of lettering, history, and theory taught by veteran type designer Sumner Stone (former director of type at Adobe and founder of the Stone Type Foundry). Tools and principles of digital typeface design are taught step by step through an individual typeface design project with Hannes Famira (principal, Kombinat-Typefounders). The course is rounded out with lectures and critiques with visiting guests, including Erik van Blokland, as well as field trips to notable typographic institutions in New York City.

We are happy to announce that a second section of the Condensed Program has been added for 2012. This section will be taught by typeface designers Jean François Porchez, founder of Typofonderie and Honorary President of AtypI and Stéphane Elbaz, graphic and typeface designer.

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 18 to July 19, and provides a total of 162 in-class hours. Classes meet from 9am to 9:30pm in 2 and 3 hour sessions, with open studio time in between. Attendance to each session is required for the certificate.

Application Timeline & Fees

The application deadline is midnight on February 28th, 2012. 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 $3,880, to be paid in full no later than Thursday April 5, 2012. 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:

  1. A letter describing your experience and interest in the graphic arts.
  2. 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.
  3. A list of any relevant courses you’ve taken, including the school/ institution and dates taken.
  4. 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.