How to Become a Typographer?

Ever wondered how famous typographies and fonts like Helvetica, Garamond, Verdana, and Times New Roman were created? Originated in the 1st century, Typography is a visual art form and technique of arranging ‘type’ to make written language legible and appealing. A typographer is responsible for the arrangement of the type which involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing (leading), letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space within letters pairs (kerning). Typography’s relevance in the modern world has increased, it’s used in graphic design, marketing, psychology, brand building, and publishing.

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Who is a Typographer?

Sometimes, you’ll want to create your own word-based items that don’t fit into a pre-established vocabulary. Instead of using a ready-made font, you can draw letters by hand or use a computer program to create custom typefaces. Typography is the actual craft of arranging type. As a typographer, you might create the words that make up a book, magazine or poster. A talented typographer can make alphabets and words look interesting and meaningful at the same time.They create the layout and make decisions about how the text and images will appear.

Responsibilities of a Typographer

1. Typographers usually work in offices or publishing companies. They may work with a team of other designers, editors and writers to produce the final product. Their pay varies by industry and experience level.
2. Typographers must have exceptional attention to detail, an artistic eye and excellent communication skills. They also need technical skill with data-conversion software, graphic design software (like Adobe), desktop publishers and scanning programs.
3. Typographers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related area as well as several years of experience working on print jobs.
4. They require a high level of accuracy when working with typefaces and layout elements such as margins, headers and footers
5. Typographers are also sometimes referred to as typesetters or type designers.
6. Typographers have to learn how to use different fonts and lay them out in a way that helps readers understand what they’re reading. Often, that means making sure that titles are big enough to read but not so big that they’re distracting. It also means knowing where to place the title so it doesn’t overlap with other words on the page.

Other niches related to typography include typesetters and proofreaders. Typesetters work with compositors or graphic designers to produce typeface designs by hand while proofreaders check the accuracy of documents and scans before they are printed.

Proofreaders should also have strong attention to detail skills as well as good communication skills since they often interact directly with clients. Proofreaders must be able to pick up on errors in spelling, grammar.

If you love to create and tinker with type, then a career as a typographer may be just the thing. You’ll be in the business of shaping lettering and logos for use in publications and on websites, as well as products such as packaging. If you enjoy art, design, and technology and have a knack for words, then this might be the right career for you.

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Skills and Elements for Typographer

• Kerning
• Leading 
• Alignment
• Readability 
• Font Psychology 
• Embrace default fonts
• Secondary font

They may also create new characters of different shapes and weights using software applications like FontLab Studio 5.0 LE. They may also advise clients on which fonts best suit their needs or work to meet the requirements of publishers.

You should also gain some experience working with typography in your coursework. Typographers who have completed their education can continue to expand their skill set by taking seminars and workshops that teach new techniques and technologies.

Typographers might work in print or online media (like websites). The work itself is often solitary, although typographers have to collaborate with others to get their ideas out there. They might also be asked to design their own logos or advertisements for their clients’ products. They may even get to create textbooks for college students!

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Areas of Desktop Publishing

There are three main areas of desktop publishing: page layout, typography and graphic design. These skills can be used in many sectors including education, information technology, advertising and marketing.

Tasks of the Job

• Page layout involves working with text using software such as Adobe InDesign to create files for printing. The designer then works with the publisher or printer to produce printed materials.
• Typography involves creating a typeface (the specific font used) by hand or digitally using software like FontLab Studio or Fontographer. You could also use this skill to repair existing typefaces by editing them in FontLab Studio.
• Graphic design focuses on creating visual designs for print products like brochures, leaflets, magazines and product packaging using software such as Adobe InDesign or Corel Draw.
• Desktop publishing jobs typically fall into two categories: production-based jobs and creative-based jobs. A production-based job is more hands-on, working directly with the publisher or printer to get the publication printed correctly. A creative-based job will involve less physical work but still requires attention to detail.

How to Become a Typographer?

Are you good with type? Do you want to design logos, brochures, advertisements or other printed materials? Then a career as a typographer may be right for you.

Step 1: Education

Typographers typically hold a degree in graphic design or a related field, such as visual communications or fine arts. A bachelor’s degree program would focus on such subjects as typography, layout and composition, color theory, web design, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and business principles. These programs help students master software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, desktop publisher programs like InDesign, and skills like scanning documents.

• Plan for this occupation by procuring partner’s certificates in visual depiction or a connected field.  
• Preparation capabilities by procuring four year college educations or non-degree grants, like declarations
•  Partner’s certificate programs in and connected with visual communication acquaint understudies with the essentials of realistic expressions just as the latest innovation.
• Coursework regularly covers points in modernized plan and page format, computerized media, studio workmanship, and obviously, typography.

Step 2: Portfolio

In the visual communication field, a portfolio can be the deciding element for getting recruited, and businesses prefer students with good profile work. During school, typographers can gather their most grounded tests, obtained from class activities and work done during entry-level positions. You can have an additional portfolio by working as a freelancer or by doing an internship to develop your skillset.

Employers generally prefer to hire candidates with several years of experience working in advertising agencies or publishing houses. A new typographer should have knowledge of graphic design history and current trends in the field. Excellent communication skills are also important since typographers often work with clients who have specific needs they must be able to meet.

Step 3: Career Opportunities

Typographers are responsible for creating or altering typefaces to fit specific needs or designs. They may change typefaces or recreate fonts for use on merchandise such as T-shirts or on websites, billboards, and packaging. Some typographers also specialize in designing logos and graphics.

Top Colleges for Typographers

• Daemen College
• University Of Northern Iowa
• Minneapolis College of Art & Design (Mcad), Minnesota.
• University Of Cincinnati, School Of Design, Ohio.
• Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas.
• California Institute Of The Arts (Calarts), California.
• Otis College Of Art And Design, California.
• Artcenter, California.

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Top Courses

• Diploma in Web and Graphic Designing
• Certificate in Arts & Design
• Certificate in Graphic & Web Design and Development
• Graduate Certificate in Graphic Design
• Graduate Certificate in Informational Architecture & Design
• BFA. in Graphic Design
• B.Des in Graphic Design
• B.Des in Visual Communication and Graphics
• B.Sc in Data Visualization
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• BA (Hons) in Graphic and Communication Design
• MA in Graphic Design
• MA in Communication Design & Information Design Pathway
• MFA in Graphic Design

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Online Courses for Typography

• Typography Short Course by UCL
• Learn to Use or Create Typefaces & Web Fonts by LinkedIn
• Typography: Learn the Foundation and Designs by Udemy
• Typography That Works: Typographic Composition and Fonts by Skillshare
• Introduction to Typography by California Institute of Arts on Coursera
• Textual Elements of Design: Fonts, Typography, and Spacing by University of Colorado Boulder 

Top Careers After Typography

1. Graphic Designer
2. Typography Designer
3. Typesetter or Typographer
4. Designer
5. Production Artist
6. Graphic Artist
7. Operator
8. Production Designer
9. Proofreader

Average Salary for a Typographer

The average pay for Typographers in America is $66,542 (INR-49,10,697.00) per year or $35 (INR-2604) per hour. 

Top Companies for Typography Designers

• Google
• Domino’s 
• Microsoft
• Dalton Maag
• Hoefler & Frere-Jones
• JY&A Fonts
• Adobe
• Monotype Imaging
• Youtube
• Apple

The basics of typography are relatively straightforward to learn, but the finer points can take years to master. A good typographer can take even the most simple layout and make it a masterpiece. Typography is a creative career and used in different industries like advertisement, printing, publishing, social media, graphic design etc. If you want to explore typography and design, then call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 and build a global career path with us!