type + code 🔠
| course details | |
|---|---|
| 🍎 course number | graph 3123 |
| 🗓️ semester | risd 2026 fall |
| 👨🦱 instructor | gabriel drozdov (gdrozd01@risd.edu↗) |
| 🙋 modality | in person |
| 📍 location | design center 208 |
| ⏰ time | tuesdays, 8:00am – 1:00pm |
| 💯 credits | 3 |
| 💬 office hours | dc 505 mondays: 9:30–11am tuesdays: 2:30–3:30pm |
| 💻 class website | classroom.gdwithgd.com/type-and-code-v3↗ |
type + code is a studio course in which students combine web programming with variable fonts to create interactive, dynamic typographic experiences. students will become proficient in code (html, css, and javascript) and type design (glyphs) to create original fonts, web specimens, digital articles, and more. this course encourages students to push the boundaries on contemporary type design and find new or underutilized use cases for experimental typography, both as a form of expression and in practical applications. these experiments are supported by readings from a wide variety of influences, including video games, performance studies, and computer science.
no prior experience in type design or coding is required.
overview 🔍
this is a process-based studio blending type design and web programming. here’s what that means:
- →process-based ~ exploring a wide range of how things are made instead of focusing on a single polished output.
- →studio ~ a class primarily focused on the act of making things.
- →type design ~ the practice of designing fonts.
- →web programming ~ the practice of creating websites using the programming languages html, css, and javascript.
goals 🎯
goals are like the big picture of what we’ll do in this course.
- →we’ll take a hands-on approach toward type design, creating a wide variety of typefaces and web-based typographic experiments.
- →we’ll use these studies to analyze the connections between technology, design, and communication.
- →we’ll experiment with new technologies to push against the limits of what a typeface or website can be, while drawing inspiration from their respective histories.
outcomes ✅
outcomes are the actual skills you’ll leave this course with.
- →workflows and processes for conceptualizing, drafting, analyzing, and refining digital typefaces in a wide variety of styles.
- →dexterity working in glyphs to compose or modify typefaces.
- →foundational web programming ability using html, css, and javascript.
- →how to design, code, and launch responsive websites.
- →creative processes for discovering and investigating new ideas merging typography and digital interfaces.
output 🎨
output is what you’ll make in this course. these are samples of the kinds of work we’ll be creating in this course, created by former students!
- →landscript↗ by rocky yuan
- →playbloc↗ by zairan liu
- →vibrations↗ by tina zhou
- →flutter↗ by jyot thind
structure 🏗️
our time in each class will be split across the following activities:
- →📣 lectures/tutorials that i’ll lead for teaching new skills or software.
- →🏃 exercises during which you’ll create work during class alongside your peers.
- →👓 reading/viewing discussions to chat about assigned media.
- →📐 projects that you’ll work on at home and will take up the bulk of the course.
- →🧐 in-progress reviews in the form of small group meetings.
- →💬 critiques for presenting your final work to your peers.
projects 📐
there are four units in this course, each with its own project.
| project | name | output |
|---|---|---|
| p1 | 🧶 textile |
|
| p2 | 🤖 automaton |
|
| p3 | 🗣️ dialectic |
|
| p4 | 🔬 specimen |
|
requirements ✏️
there are no prior requirements to take this class. we’ll have in-class tutorials for all pertinent subjects and software. the most important things are that you show up ready to learn, collaborate with your peers, and both give and receive feedback and critique.
expectations 📋
here’s what i expect of you in this course:
- →⏰ show up on time prepared, ready to learn, and excited to create work. complete required readings, make progress on projects, and look for inspiration if you get stuck. if you don’t, then class won’t be useful for you.
- →👁️ be an active participant in the classroom. don’t work on projects from other classes while you’re here. use this time to gain as much knowledge as you can out of me, your peers, and yourself!
- →❓ stay in contact and ask questions. i’m always happy to answer questions and offer accommodations, but don’t wait until the day before an assignment is due!
- →🎉 try your best and have fun! if this isn’t fun, then it isn’t worth doing.
costs & materials 🧱
there are no costs associated with this course. the only optional purchase is a custom domain, which is typically valued at <$20/yr. the rest of the software for this course is free or funded by risd.
- →a macbook with access to google drive (for submitting projects) and google chrome (for testing websites). macos is required to run glyphs, our type design software.
- →
- →a local coding environment ~ follow baby steps↗ to install visual studio code↗ (and the live server↗ extension), github desktop↗, and create a github↗ account.
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secure your work! 💾
this is critical: back up your work! make it automatic or a regular part of your working schedule, to be done every day. you will not be excused for preventable loss of data.
here are some recommendations:
- →⏰ use a cloud storage service (like google drive) to store your files. that way, if something happens to your personal computer, then your files are safely stored online.
- →📁 keep everything in a single folder whenever possible. sometimes, files require links to other files that can break when you shuffle things around on your computer.
- →🏷️ label your files clearly with the date, your name, class, project, and version when relevant. for example:
240804-gabriel_drozdov-class_name-project_name-v1
grading 🍎
this section goes over this course’s grading policy.
breakdown 🧪
here is how your grade gets calculated for this course. for each project, i’ll provide a rubric and grade you out of the percent that the project is worth for your final grade. for example, if the project is worth 20%, your grade could be something like 18/20.
| project | name | weight |
|---|---|---|
| p1 | 🧶 textile | 15% |
| p2 | 🤖 automaton | 15% |
| p3 | 🗣️ dialectic | 20% |
| p4 | 🔬 specimen | 50% |
gpa conversion 💯
your grade for the full semester is calculated using the following scale:
| letter | percentage | gpa |
|---|---|---|
| a | 93–100% | 4.0 |
| a− | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| b+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| b | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| b− | 80–82% | 2.7 |
| c+ | 77–79% | 2.3 |
| c | 73–76% | 2.0 |
| c− | 70–72% | 1.7 |
| d+ | 67–69% | 1.3 |
| d | 63–66% | 1.0 |
| f | 0–59% | 0.0 |
interpreting grades 🔠
| letter | meaning |
|---|---|
| a | exceptional abilities in all areas. high-quality work, risk-taking, experimentation, receptiveness to criticism, a positive attitude towards learning and the classroom community, 100% attendance, comprehension of core principles, and commitment to the learning community. |
| b | very good, strong. shows a positive attitude toward learning and fulfillment of all class requirements. finished work and class participation are good, proficient, occasionally quite good, but with room for improvement. |
| c | average, acceptable, but not exceptional. |
| d | fails to grasp the basics or is struggling to complete work, attend class, and/or participate. |
attendance 🙋♀️
it’s essential that you attend class and arrive on time, as the beginning of class is often the most important moment of the day. you must always aim to be present, on time, active, and prepared for every meeting of this course. note: we would rather have you in class unprepared than not at all. if you have to miss class, notify me! of course, if you are sick, stay home! (and communicate with your instructor!)
being in attendance, engaged, and participating, with your work ready to share, is always the goal as well as the path to positive evaluations.
as per school policy, you can fail the course if you miss two or more classes.
here’s my specific grading policy:
- →i won’t penalize you for your first unexcused absence. this does not apply to critique days ~ an unexcused absence during a critique is a 10% reduction of your final grade.
- →two unexcused absences results in a 20% reduction of your final grade.
- →three unexcused absences results in automatic failure of the course.
- →arriving late twice counts as one unexcused absence.
- →an absence is only excused if it is communicated 24 hours ahead of time via email and is for an appropriate reason (illness, family emergency, etc.).
participation 💬
while you’re in class, we’ll follow a few ground rules:
- →you may not use a computer while someone is giving a presentation, whether it’s me or one of your peers doing so. if you’d like to take notes, please do so in a notebook.
- →participation in all class activities is required. the goal with these is not necessarily to create the “best” work, but to experiment and have fun!
- →participation in critiques is required, both in terms of presenting your work and providing feedback to others. if you are uncomfortable giving spoken feedback during a critique, you may write your feedback down and hand it to your peer after their critique is over.
influence 👀
during the course of your work, you will experience a range of opportunities to be inspired and influenced by other designers and artists. while plagiarism with the goal of deception will not be tolerated, it is normal to explore the work of others in new and original ways, and to express that influence through a variety of techniques, including homage, parody, style, derivation, and appropriation. we expect all gd students and faculty to maintain an open perspective towards these concepts.
for more information, please see it’s probably not plagiarism↗, as well as risd policies on academic misconduct detailed in the academic code of conduct↗.
ai policy 👽
ai-generated work is not permitted in this course.
why? because this is an entry-level course with a focus on process, not output.
if you use ai-assisted coding tools, like chatgpt or claude, you will most likely create more technically impressive projects, but you will learn far, far less when doing so.
if you are suspected of using an ai-assisted tool, you will receive 0 points for the associated assignment.
risd graphic design expects generative ai for creative purposes to be used intentionally, and to practice questioning the reliability and value of its outputs. the department acknowledges the nature of generative ai ~ systems which create content by processing existing data, physically stored in massive data centers ~ raises ethical concerns related to inaccuracy of information, bias, data privacy, content ownership, and environmental impact. we also want to distinguish between generative ai use for creative purposes (image and text generation, research, concept development) and accessibility purposes (text-to-speech, organization, language support).
every instructor has their own policy for how ai may or may not be used within their class or project. if you are unclear on this policy, ask your instructor before you use ai tools in your work. if ai use is allowed, be sure to abide by risd’s academic code of conduct↗, and practice transparency: clearly disclose and provide citation↗ for any ai use in your research or artistic process.
this policy will evolve as technology and our understanding develops, and we welcome ongoing conversation about responsible ai use in our community. we encourage reading through our considerations when using generative ai, and exploring the resources for those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the tools.
policies 📂
this section goes over a wide range of risd’s resources and policies.
risd graphic design ~ bfa learning outcomes 🚌
the program educates students to become resourceful designers engaged in reflexive, responsible and sustainable practices.
by the end of the bfa program, students will be able to:
- →shape typography, image, and content in response to context, audience, and communication objectives.
- →apply and develop a range of skills and methods for form-making including visual research, ideation, experimentation, iteration, curation and interpretation.
- →design with contemporary and traditional tools, while demonstrating the ability to explore, evaluate and expand the reach of digital and analog technologies.
- →create, analyze, and critique visual communication from historical, social, and intersectional points of view.
- →develop design methodologies, interests, and forms of expression to generate a unique and cohesive body of work.
- →examine and apply visual systems across diverse media and modalities, particularly in print, digital, and 3d environments.
- →enter professional practice, independent studio practice and/or entrepreneurship with an understanding of industry requirements, including presentation, communication, and collaboration skills. students complete the program with a portfolio, ready to enter the field.
risd graphic design ~ mfa learning outcomes 🎓
mfa graduates are prepared to:
- →interrogate the use of contemporary and historical tools, software and theory while contributing innovative and critical formal responses to the field of graphic design.
- →produce visual form as proof of concept and demonstration of theory.
- →contribute, evaluate and critique visual communication work at an advanced strategic level.
- →participate effectively in a professional graphic design studio environment.
- →initiate an individual or collaborative studio practice.
- →convey their expertise through teaching and/or mentoring.
- →curate exhibitions of their work and that of others.
- →conduct original research and convey it through appropriate modes of writing, publishing, curating and/or exhibiting.
accommodations 🤝
rhode island school of design is committed to providing equal opportunity for all students. if you are a student with a disability that may require accommodations to complete the requirements of this class, i encourage you to discuss your learning needs with me during the first week of the term and we can work with the office of disability support services to arrange accommodations. for more information on how to receive accommodations, please contact disability support services↗ at 401-709-8460 or disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu↗.
student support 🫂
if at any time you find it necessary to reach out for counseling or support, please contact the student support and counseling (caps) office via phone or email at 401.454.6637 or studentlife@risd.edu↗.
inclusivity 🏘️
it is our intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well-served by this course, that students’ needs be addressed both in and out of the class, and that the diversity that students bring to this studio be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. we will present materials that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, perspective, and other background characteristics. your suggestions about how to improve the value of diversity in this course are encouraged and appreciated. please let us know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups.
what makes for a meaningful classroom is determined by all of us. one way of creating a generative and comfortable space is to engage with all who are present. we encourage everyone to engage as best as you can, so we all feel the full presence of one another. however, we acknowledge and respect that people’s lives are complex. when life gets complicated, please be in touch with your professor.
chosen name policy 🪪
rhode island school of design (risd) is committed to a genuine inclusion of all. risd recognizes that any member of our community may choose a name to identify themselves that differs from their legal name. risd’s chosen name policy↗ strives to accommodate this self-identification. to update your records, visit the name changes section of the student record information page↗.
trans(gender) student support 🏳️⚧️
to provide support to transgender and gender-variant students who, for whatever reason, need special accommodations due to gender identity/expression, we encourage students to speak with the office of intercultural student engagement (ise)↗, which can help students navigate the policies and practices of the college.
land acknowledgement 📍
rhode island school of design is built on what is now called college hill, part of the ancestral homelands of the narragansett nation. indigenous people from many nations~near and far~live, study and work in providence today. the amplification of native voices and histories is crucial to rectifying the many violent legacies of colonialism, and we gratefully acknowledge the ongoing critical contributions of indigenous people across our state, region and nation.
additional policies, links, and resources 🔗
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- →arts and language center↗, college building room 200
- →visual + materials resource center↗, second floor of fleet library
- →gd type shop↗, 3rd floor in the design center
- →risd print center↗, first floor in the design center
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