Course content

• History of letterforms in a technological and societal perspective, with a special emphasis on the classical Roman lettering tradition.
• History of type and typography in a technological and societal perspective, with a special emphasis on innovations and developments in type design and typography in the 19th century.
• Modern graphic design in a technological and societal perspective, with a special emphasis on the «new typography» of the inter-war period and significant developments in postwar graphic design.

Learning outcome

The student can explain major lines of development and central issues in letterform history, type history, typographic history and the history of modern graphic design. The student can demonstrate a more in-depth knowledge about a limited number of course topics. The student will through process-oriented essay writing, based on formative evaluation (for this course as for several other courses in the study programme), in an incremental manner have improved his/her analytical skills, his/her ability for critical reflection, his/her writing skills, his/her ability to locate, gather and synthesise information, his/her ability to critically assess sources and literature, his/her ability to cite and reference sources and literature appropriately, and his/her skills in editorial handling of text.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, demonstrations of historical printed objects typical of their time and to some extent iconic (which the students are allowed to handle), film screening, two written essays with formative supervision, seminar presentation (one per student) with handout, self study, discussion groups, exam. As well as a non-obligatory study trip («The classical lettering tradition in Rome»), which participating students to a large extent will have to pay for by themselves. Students who do not take part in the study trip are offered adequate alternative arrangements.

Compulsory assignments

• Seminar with presentation

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to the study programme Bachelor in Graphic Design (BMED)

Course materials

• Den klassiske skrifttradisjonen i Roma  [The classical lettering tradition in Rome]. Compendium digitally manufactured by NTNU University Library (available via Blackboard)
• Eskilson, Stephen J. 2019. Graphic design: a history. 3rd ed. (or newer). London: Laurence King.
• Typografihistorie. [History of typography]. Compendium digitally manufactured by NTNU University Library (available via Blackboard).

Supporting literature:

• Kinross, Robin. 2004. Modern typography: an essay in critical history. 2nd ed. London: Hyphen Press.
• Further suggestions for supplemental literature are listed in a separate course brochure, available in Blackboard at the start of term. 

Credit reductions