UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

CDS3305 Type design

Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

CDS3305 Type design is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It needs VCO1302 or CDS1302.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 2
Caulfield
Assessment
No exam
4 tasks

The 2027 handbook has no page for CDS3305. This is its 2025 entry, the latest one.

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Requisites

Before CDS3305

Corequisites

Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.

Prohibitions

You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.

After CDS3305

No unit lists CDS3305 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Prohibition: VCO2303

Overview

This unit is concerned with the process of designing type to a professional level. It provides the opportunity to take a deep dive into this field from a pragmatic and theoretical perspective guided by the idea that letters mean what they are as much as what they say. You will delve into the latest developments in type technology and understand the formal complexities of designing your own typefaces whilst grappling with questions of originality, and how to approach historical models and the political nature of letterforms and language. Emphasis is given to experimentation and exposure to contemporary type design software and workflows.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterCaulfieldOn campus

Assessment

  • Exercise
    10%
  • Project 1Project
    30%
  • Project 2Project
    40%
  • Project 3Project
    20%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Understand how to create digital fonts using specific design software;

  2. 2

    Demonstrate a sound knowledge of type construction;

  3. 3

    Use a computer as an effective design tool;

  4. 4

    Demonstrate a greater understanding of the importance of type legibility through the design and application of digitally produced fonts;

  5. 5

    Digitally produce fonts with skill and focused experimentation to a professional standard;

  6. 6

    Consider research as a strategy to develop and initiate concept development within your practical work.

Workload and teaching

  • Studio activities36 hours

12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Mr Warren Taylor
Unit Coordinators
Mr Warren Taylor

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for CDS3305?

You need VCO1302 or CDS1302 before you enrol; and OHS1000 before or alongside it. Enrolment rules also apply.

When is CDS3305 offered?

In 2025, CDS3305 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.

Does CDS3305 have an exam?

No. CDS3305 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Organisational unit
Department of Design
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
202320242025