Lesson Plan
Course Title: Digital Interactive Media
Session Title: The Art of Type
Lesson Duration:
60 to 90 mins. Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor.
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to identify, modify, and critique type
in documents. They will also be able to use type more effectively in their own designs.
Specific Objectives:
 Achieve a working knowledge of basic typography terms
 Learn the categories of type
 Modify type in a current document
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.278. Digital and Interactive Media
(5) The student analyzes and applies design and layout principles. The student is expected to
(E) identify and use typography
Interdisciplinary Correlations:
English Disciplines
Instructor/Trainer
References:
 Graham, Lisa. Basics of Design: Layout and Typography for Beginners. 2. Delmar Pub,
2005. 202 - 226. Print.
Instructional Aids:
 The Art of Type Presentation
 HANDOUT: The Art of Type Presentation Notes
 Teacher File: Coffee Menu Instructions
 Student File: Coffee Menu
 Teacher File: Coffee Menu Key
 Student Files: The Gettysburg Address
 Teacher File: The Gettysburg Address KEY
 QUIZ: The Art of Type Quiz
IT: Digital & Interactive Multimedia: The Art of Type Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Materials Needed:
 Instructional aids
 Desktop publishing software
 Word processing software
Equipment Needed:
 Projector for teacher computer
 Computer lab
Learner

Students should be familiar with word processing and desktop publishing software.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Say, “Type is everywhere: postcards, presentations, magazines, flyers, billboards,
reports… I could keep going for ever. If you want people to look at your designs,
then you need to understand typography.”
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II): Handout the Art of Type
Lesson Notes; students take notes while showing
the Art of Type Presentation. Walk the students
through the Coffee Menu. Students will then take the
Art of Type Quiz. Students will then modify the
Gettysburg Address File.
I.
Show the Presentation on The Art of Type:
a. Type
b. Typography
c. Typeface
d. Type Styles
e. Type Family
f. Type Terms
g. Alignment
h. Leading
i. Kerning
j. Types of Type
i. Serif
ii. Sans Serif
iii. Script
iv. Decorative
Instructor Notes:
I. Handout the Art of Type
Presentation Notes.
Student should take
notes on the
presentation as you go
over it.
IT: Digital & Interactive Multimedia: The Art of Type Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
II.
Students will need the Coffee Menu File.
III.
Students work on the Gettysburg Address
document file.
IV.
Students work on the Gettysburg Address
desktop publishing file.
II.
Walk through the
changes in the Coffee
Menu Instructions
with the students
following along. You
will need to have
looked over the
Coffee Menu Key and
teacher instruction
files before beginning
this lesson.
III.
Students need to
adjust the type of Mr.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg
Address to fit into a
history magazine.
They are not to add
graphics, only to
change Type,
Leading and Kerning
of the speech.
IV.
After students know
how to operate
software – they can
do the lesson again
with more emphasis
on Leading and
Kerning.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Coffee Menu File
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
The Gettysburg Address
SAY, “Students, now you need to apply all that we have learned. It is time for
you to use the skills and concepts you have learned to enhance the
Gettysburg Address with the desktop publishing file that is provided for you.”
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
ASK:
 “Does anyone have any questions?”
 “How can fonts and type styles make a difference in a document?”
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

“How does the type you choose help with the effectiveness of Lincoln’s
speech?”
Later in the year, have the students redo the Gettysburg Address using the skills
learned in this lesson to see if they have retained what they have learned.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will monitor student progress during independent practice/application
and provide independent reteach/redirection as needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
The Art of Type Quiz
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students will use this knowledge in all graphic projects during the rest of the year. If
you need extra work for remaining class time, have students find ads on the internet,
and adjust them by only changing the typeface to see if they can change the target
audience of the advertising.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as
background for learning
Socratic questions, real life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering personal relationship to
larger context
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Digital Interactive Media – “The Art of Type” Presentation Notes
Type


Have you ever thought about how your words look on a page?
Have you ever looked at something you created, and it just did not look right? Sometimes that
can be fixed with a simple change of the
.
Typography


So, what is typography?
Typography is the
process of arranging
on a page.

Simply changing the typeface, size, color, weight, and placement of type in your design can add
extra
to your words and
the visual
appeal of your message.
Typeface

A typeface is a set of
,
, and
, unified by a common visual design.

The word
is sometimes used interchangeably with the word typeface.
Type Styles

Each typeface may also have a variety of type styles, which are
versions like italic, bold, condensed, and extended.

These specific type styles are created to
the
and
of typeface. They help extend the use of the
typeface.
Type Family

Some typefaces have more versions than those above; they may have
, shaded, or
related
. This whole
of type styles based on a typeface is called a type family.
Type Terms

Type is usually measured in
. There are 72 points in an
. The larger the point size, the larger the type.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Normally small point sizes like 6, 8, 10, and 12 are used for
.

Large point sizes like 14, 18, 20, and higher are used for
,
display lines, etc.

Weight is the thickness of the
on the text. Some text weights, like
, are light and airy. Others, like
, are
heavy and thick. Most type families have different weights.
Alignment

____________________________________Alignment: Used for short amounts of text like in a
flyer, announcement, etc.

__________________________________ Alignment: Easy to read and useful in any type
application.

__________________________________ Alignment: Used sparingly since it is hard to read.

__________________________________ Alignment: Common in Magazines and Newspapers.
Leading

Leading is the ____________________________________ space between lines of type on a
page.
Kerning

Kerning is the adjustment of space ________________________________ two individual
____________________________________to improve appearance.
Type of Types

All type fits into ____________________________major categories. They are

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________
Serif

Serif fonts are a typeface that have those “little ____________________________ and
_______________________________________” at the end of individual letters.

____________________________________________________________ is an example of a
serif font.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Serif fonts are very popular due to their fast __________________________________________
and ________________________________________________ nature. They are a great choice
for body text and work well in a wide range of projects.
Sans Serif

Sans serif fonts ______________________________________________ have those little ears or
feet on its letters.

__________________________________________ is an example of a sans serif font. You can
see by this example that their letters have a very clean
_______________________________________________look.

Sans serif fonts are easier for a reader to identify each letter, but they actually
__________________________________________________ a readers reading speed.

Sans serif fonts are great for ________________________________________ and display type.
Script


Script typefaces have a feeling of ________________________________________________
designs.
The font can seem __________________________________–or in some cases, very
___________________________________________________.

Script faces are best used _____________________________________________. They are very
hard to read. However, they can add that pop of _________________________
__________________ to your piece. Don’t be afraid to mix script with other styles to add
interest to your work.
Decorative

Decorative typeface is basically fonts that _______________________________________ be
put into any of the other categories.

These typefaces are usually extremely difficult to
______________________________________ and should be used
__________________________________________________.

Due to these fonts’ readability, they are best used for ______________________________ and
display text.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Digital Interactive Media – “The Art of Type” Presentation Notes
Type


Have you ever thought about how your words look on a page?
Have you ever looked at something you created, and it just did not look right? Sometimes that
can be fixed with a simple change of the type.
Typography



So, what is typography?
Typography is the art and process of arranging type on a page.
Simply changing the typeface, size, color, weight, and placement of type in your design can add
extra emphasis to your words and enhance the visual appeal of your message.
Typeface


A typeface is a set of letterforms, numbers, and symbols unified by a common visual design.
The word font is sometimes used interchangeably with the word typeface.
Type Styles


Each typeface may also have a variety of type styles, which are modified versions like italic,
bold, condensed and extended.
These specific type styles are created to preserve the look and feel of typeface. They help extend
the use of the typeface.
Type Family

Some typefaces have more versions than those above, they may have outlines, be shaded, or
decorated. This whole related group of type styles based on a typeface is called a type family.
Type Family

Below is an example of the Type Family Action Man.
Type Terms




Type is usually measured in points. There are 72 points in an inch. The larger the point size, the
larger the type.
Normally small point sizes like 6, 8, 10, and 12 are used for body copy.
Large point sizes like 14, 18, 20, and higher are used for headlines, display lines, etc.
Weight is the thickness of the stroke on the text. Some text weights, like italics, are light and
airy. Others, like bold, are heavy and thick. Most type families have different weights.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Alignment





Most people know the common types of alignments; however, most people do not realize what
each type of alignment should be used for.
Center Alignment: Used for short amounts of text, like in a flyer, announcement, etc.
Left Alignment: Easy to read and useful in any type application.
Right Alignment: Used sparingly since it is hard to read.
Justified Alignment: Common in Magazines and Newspapers.
Leading



Leading is the vertical space between lines of type on a page.
The first paragraph shows major leading between lines of text.
The second paragraph shows normal leading between the lines of text.
Kerning



Kerning is the adjustment of space between two individual letters to improve appearance.
The first 3 lines show adjusted kerning between the letters of the placeholder text.
The last 2 lines show normal kerning.
Type of Types





All type fits into four major categories. They are
Serif
Sans Serif
Script
Decorative
Serif




Serif fonts are a typeface that have those “little ears and feet” at the end of individual letters.
Looking at the heading, you can see those ears and feet most clearly on the S.
Times New Roman is an example of a Serif font.
Serif fonts are very popular due to their fast readability and conservative nature. They are a great
choice for body text and work well in a wide range of projects.
Sans Serif




Sans serif fonts do not have those little ears or feet on its letters.
Arial is an example of a sans serif font. You can see by this example there that their letters have
a very clean modern look.
Sans serif fonts make it easier for a reader to identify each letter, but they actually slow down a
reader’s reading speed.
Sans serif fonts are great for headline and display type.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Script



Script typefaces have a feeling of handwritten designs.
The font can seem formal – or in some cases, very informal.
Script faces are best used sparingly. They are very hard to read. However, they can add that pop
of interest to your piece. Don’t be afraid to mix script with other styles to add interest to your
work.
Decorative



Decorative typeface is a category containing basically the fonts that don’t fit into any other
category.
These typefaces are usually extremely difficult to read and should be used sparingly.
Due to these fonts’ readability, they are best used for headlines and display text.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
COFFEE MENU TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS
Changes to make to the Coffee Menu File – Teacher Instructions:
1. Select all the text in the document, and increase the font size to 12.
2. Apply the typeface Cambria (Headings) to the Coffee Menu at the top of the page, and to all the
names; then make the selections bold – this is so they will stand out to the reader.
3. Now, select all the prices, and bold them as well.
4. Let’s add section headings to each of the different types of drinks. Ex: “About the Coffee”,
“Cappuccino”, and “Non-Coffee”. Then make the typeface Cambria, bold, and size 14.
5. Lastly, we need the heading to really stand out – select Coffee Menu and change the font size to
20. If you really want it to stand out, change the font to something that would look cool in a
coffee shop.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Coffee Menu:
Plain Coffee: Coffee for the people who just want the plain Cup of Joe for just a $1.00.
Single Espresso: We sell coffee, so of course we have Espresso. Purchase a tiny shot of
energy for only $1.50.
Double Espresso: An even stronger shot of Energy for only a $2.50.
Triple Espresso: The strongest Espresso that we can sell, just $3.50.
Decaf Espresso: All the Espresso taste, just none of the caffeine for $2.00.
Cappuccino: Available in mocha, chocolate, amaretto, and hazelnut flavors for only $2.65.
Double Cappuccino: Same flavors as above, just a double shot for $3.20.
Decaf Cappuccino: All the flavor of a cappuccino, just in a decaf version for $2.80.
Iced Tea: Too hot for coffee? How about a tall glass of southern-brewed iced tea for $1.45?
Lemonade: Squeezed fresh daily for $1.55.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
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Coffee Menu – KEY Sample
Coffee:
Plain Coffee: Coffee for the people who just want the plain Cup of Joe for just a $1.00
Single Espresso: We sell coffee, so of course we have Espresso. Purchase a tiny shot
of energy for only $1.50.
Double Espresso: An even stronger shot of Energy for only a $2.50.
Triple Espresso: The strongest Espresso that we can sell, just $3.50.
Decaf Espresso: All the Espresso taste, just none of the caffeine for $2.00.
Cappuccino:
Cappuccino: Available in mocha, chocolate, amaretto, and hazelnut flavors for only
$2.65.
Double Cappuccino: Same flavors as above, just a double shot for $3.20.
Decaf Cappuccino: All the flavor of a cappuccino, just in a decaf version for $2.80.
Non-Coffee:
Iced Tea: Too hot for coffee, how about a tall glass of southern-brewed iced tea for
$1.45.
Lemonade: Squeezed fresh daily for $1.55.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in
Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so
dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might
live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground.
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to
add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget
what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they
who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of
the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
GETTYSBURG ADDRESS – KEY Sample
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a
new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men
are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so
dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might
live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground.
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to
add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget
what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they
who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that
government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish
from the earth.
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
The Art of Type: Quiz
True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
____ 1.
Typology is the art and process of arranging type on a page.
____ 2.
There are 72 points in an inch of type.
____ 3.
There are six different categories that types fits into.
____ 4.
The San Serif fonts are the ones that have those little ears and feet at the end of
each letter.
____ 5.
Kerning is the vertical space between lines of type on a page.
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 6.
Type is measured in:
a. picas
b. points
____ 7.
c. markers
d. none of the above
____________________________ are modified versions of a typeface.
Examples would be italic, bold, condensed and extended.
a. Type Family
b. Type
c. Type Styles
d. Fonts
____ 8.
This alignment is most commonly used and is the easiest to read.
a. Left
b. Right
c. Center
d. Justified
____ 9.
flyers.
a. Left
b. Right
____ 10.
a. Left
This alignment is used for short amounts of text; it is most commonly seen on
c. Center
d. Justified
This alignment is used usually seen in magazines and newspapers.
c. Center
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
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b. Right
d. Justified
The Art of Type: Quiz - KEY
1.
Ans: True
Pnts: 1
2.
Ans: True
Pnts: 1
3.
Ans: False
Pnts: 1
Answer is four.
4.
Ans: False
Pnts: 1
Those are serif fonts.
5.
Ans: False
Pnts: 1
Misleading: Kerning is space between letters.
6.
Ans: B
Pnts: 1
7.
Ans: C
Pnts: 1
8.
Ans: A
Pnts: 1
9.
Ans: C
Pnts: 1
10.
Ans: D
Pnts: 1
IT (Digital & Interactive Multimedia) Art of Type Quiz
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.