Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Use an understanding of Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy as a lens through which to observe hand lettering as a fine and graphic art.
• Critically evaluate the art of handwritten letters.
• Identify differences between historical styles of the Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy, with an awareness of the social and historical context in which they were developed.
• Create works of calligraphy that demonstrate introductory level skills in Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy using a variety of lettering tools, materials and techniques.
• Explain the evolution in letter shape and structure due to the influence of writing tools and culture.
• Apply basic vocabulary necessary to discuss the formal, conceptual, historic and technical aspects of Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy.

Course Activities and Design

• Create works of calligraphy that concentrate on the Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms with an awareness of the inherent characteristics of the forms.
• Generate ideas/concepts with an awareness of the intended content of the work produced.
• Develop a skill set centered on working towards technical proficiency in Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand.
• Utilize the necessary vocabulary specific to calligraphy when participating in class critiques and discussions.
• Begin to assess and self-critique personal work to strategize creative solutions.
• Begin to develop personal work with an awareness of historical and contemporary artists working in Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand and other letterforms.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

• Participate in, and contribute to, class discussions and studio work sessions using appropriate vocabulary.

·      Develop conceptual ideas relating to Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy through creative research and preparatory studies.

·      Create several original artworks (e.g. handmade book, broadside) in Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand demonstrating basic technical proficiency.

·      Write short paper(s) to address aspects of Roman Capitals and/or Humanist Bookhand with respect to standards and practices, self-assessment of work and cultural context.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes:

• Craft in art as relates to Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand calligraphy.
• Idea and design using text and handwritten letters.

Concepts:

·      Two-dimensional design concepts as they relate to fine art, graphic design and book design.

·      The role of 2D design in calligraphy, and letterforms' role in graphic design.

·      Typeface design, and its roots in and relationship to evolved historical Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms.

Issues

• Tradition and personal expression
• Letter formation and structure and its relation to writing technology and culture

Skills:

• Application of calligraphic ideas relating to Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms, with awareness of historical and cultural contexts.
• Critical analysis of Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms.
• Technical skill in writing Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms using appropriate materials and techniques.
• Apply basic vocabulary to discuss the formal, conceptual, historic and technical aspects of these letterforms.
• Assemble an appropriately designed, well-crafted final project using Roman Capital and Humanist Bookhand letterforms demonstrating a basic skill level.