Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Research typeface history and select project typefaces
1–2 weeks (1–2 hrs/day)
Research the historical and design context of three typefaces you are considering for your project. For each: identify the designer and date, the original intent and context, the formal characteristics (serif structure, x-height, contrast, spacing), and the contexts where it excels or fails. Select two typefaces for your project with written rationale.
Proof required
Submit your typeface research document (three typefaces researched, each with designer/date/context/characteristics/usage notes — minimum 150 words per typeface) and your selection rationale (minimum 200 words explaining why these two typefaces work together for your project).
What gets checked
- All three typefaces have designer, date, and original context documented — not just visual description
- Formal characteristics go beyond 'it has serifs' — x-height, contrast, spacing noted
- Selection rationale explains the contrast or harmony between the two chosen typefaces specifically
Common mistakes
- Typeface research is visual description only — 'it looks elegant' without historical or formal analysis
- Selection rationale picks typefaces for personal taste rather than project fit
- Two selected typefaces have no clear relationship — either too similar (redundant) or too clashing (no harmony)
Resources
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check all three typefaces have designer, date, and historical context — visual description alone fails the research standard
- Verify formal characteristics are specific — ask student to describe one typeface's x-height compared to another
- Ask student: what context would make your selected pair fail? If they can't name one, the selection hasn't been stress-tested
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Apply typographic system across three surfaces
2–3 weeks (2–3 hrs/day)
Apply your selected typefaces in a typographic system across three distinct surfaces: a long-form text piece (minimum 400 words, showing hierarchy across body, subhead, and heading), a display context (poster or cover with headline as primary visual element), and a small-scale context (business card, label, or UI element). Each surface must demonstrate the hierarchy and personality of your typographic system.
Proof required
Submit your three typographic applications as a PDF: long-form piece, display piece, and small-scale piece, each on its own page.
What gets checked
- Three surfaces are genuinely distinct contexts — not three similar documents
- Long-form piece shows full hierarchy across at minimum three levels (body, subhead, heading)
- Small-scale piece demonstrates that the typeface works at small sizes — not just scaled down from a larger layout
Common mistakes
- All three surfaces are the same format at different sizes — not three distinct contexts
- Display piece treats type as decoration — letter-spacing or sizing choices that undermine readability for stylistic effect
- Small-scale piece has not been tested at actual output size — text becomes illegible
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Verify three surfaces are genuinely distinct contexts — similar documents at different sizes don't satisfy the requirement
- Check long-form piece shows full hierarchy — ask student to point to the three or more hierarchy levels
- Ask student to show the small-scale piece at actual output size — if text is illegible, the size hasn't been tested
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Present typographic work to design critique and write type specimen
1–2 weeks
Present your three surfaces and typeface rationale to a designer or typography professional in a critique session (minimum 20 minutes). Then produce a type specimen document (minimum four pages) for your selected typeface pair: showing the typeface at multiple sizes, weights, and hierarchy levels, with notes on use cases and failure cases.
Proof required
Submit: (1) critique session record (date, reviewer, specific challenges to typographic decisions — minimum half page), (2) type specimen document (minimum four pages).
What gets checked
- Critique record documents specific typographic challenges — not general aesthetic feedback
- Type specimen shows typeface at minimum four sizes and at least two weights
- Type specimen includes notes on failure cases — where not to use this typeface
Common mistakes
- Type specimen is only a display showcase — no failure case notes or contextual guidance
- Critique focuses on visual preference rather than typographic decisions
- Type specimen produced before the critique — not informed by the review
Powstik Guide
A critique of your typographic work, with your response.
Steps
- Book a qualified reviewer, not a classmate.
- Present the work and your intent.
- Write down every challenge raised.
- Decide what you'll change and why.
- Record the revisions you made.
Template
Reviewer: Role: Date: Challenges raised: - My response and changes: Revised version attached: yes / no
What gets sent back
- Record under half a page.
- Peer-only review.
- No response or revision.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check type specimen covers minimum four sizes and two weights
- Verify specimen includes failure case notes — absence indicates uncritical approach to typeface selection
- Ask student: what is the most important thing your type specimen communicates about this typeface that a font preview site doesn't? Inability to answer shows the specimen is a showcase, not a usage guide
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