Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Use an intermediate-level understanding of Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand calligraphy as a lens through which to observe hand lettering as a fine and graphic art.
• Evaluate with deeper critical understanding the art of handwritten letters.
• Communicate in critical conversations about the aesthetics of calligraphy and the cultural, social, technological and historical contexts in which Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand were developed.
• Solve aesthetic and material problems to create works of calligraphy that demonstrate an intermediate-level of skill in Roman Capitals and Humanist Book Hand lettering and personal expression using intermediate tools and techniques relating to standards and practices of calligraphy.

• Discuss the formal, conceptual, historic and technical aspects of Roman Capitals and Humanist Book Hand calligraphy using appropriate vocabulary.

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

• Develop conceptual ideas through creative research and preparatory studies.
• Create several original artworks demonstrating intermediate technical proficiency in Roman Capitals and Humanist Book Hand calligraphy.
• Write short paper(s) to address aspects of Roman Capitals and/or Humanist Book Hand (including relationship of form to content, history and development, self-assessment of work, self-reflection and personal expression, and critical responses).
• Participate in, and contribute to, class discussions and critiques.
• The above are assessed on the basis of clarity of visual or written thought and ability to demonstrate understanding of how calligraphy within this tradition creates meaning.

Themes:

• The value of craft in art-making
• The relationship between 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 the role of letterforms in graphic design.
• Typeface design, and its roots in and relationship to evolved historical Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand letterforms.

Issues

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

Skills:

• Application of intermediate calligraphic ideas relating to Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand letterforms, with awareness of historical and cultural contexts.
• Critical analysis of Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand letterforms using intermediate vocabulary
• Intermediate technical skill in writing Roman Capital and Humanist Book Hand letterforms using appropriate materials and techniques.
• Apply intermediate 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 Book Hand letterforms demonstrating an intermediate skill level.