To become a typographer, education in graphic design or a similar field is recommended, but self-teaching is possible. Understanding typography concepts like kerning and line spacing is important, and a formal education can make it easier to pursue a career in typography. Internships and creating a portfolio can also help.
To become a typographer, it’s likely that you’ll want to receive some education in a specific field, such as graphic design or a similar professional artistic field. While you may not need formal education on this subject, and a large portion of typography can potentially be self-taught with the right resources and determination, a structured education can often make the process easier. You may also find greater opportunities to become a typesetter professionally if you have a formal education and a degree under your belt.
A typographer is someone who studies, chooses and creates fonts or typefaces for use in computer applications and print media. While this is a somewhat specialized area of focus, it is also an important one, as the font or typeface used in a printed article or website can have a tremendous impact on how the website or publication is viewed by others. To become a typographer, you must begin to study type and understand various aspects of typography as you advance in your career. You may also find that a formal education can make your typography easier.
Your education is probably one of the first things you should consider when working towards becoming a typesetter. You should start learning about typography and understanding specialized aspects of typography such as kerning, leading, tracking, letter weight on a page, and how fonts are created and used effectively. Even if you plan on going through formal education to become a typographer, you can do well by learning about concepts like serif and sans serif fonts, line spacing, and how different typefaces can affect the reader differently.
This knowledge will help you pursue a formal education to become a typographer. You might consider a program in an area like graphic design or a similar type of commercial art. These types of programs often offer typography courses and can be a solid foundation for your future work. Typography and graphic design can be somewhat insular industries and making connections with potential employers through your education can help you become a typographer.
You may also find opportunities such as internships at graphic design firms, marketing firms, or similar professional arts organizations. Generally these types of opportunities are easier to find if you are going to school to become a typesetter and can be more difficult to gain access to if you choose to teach yourself. You should try to use any of these types of opportunities to gain experience and develop a portfolio of your work. It can also be beneficial to create your own website to showcase your typographic skills and make the typography on your resume as prominent as possible.
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