ILT-Glyphs Certificate Program 2023 ↗

This is a 10-hour course that will introduce you to Python for font engineering. It will enable you to read and modify existing Python code, and get you started in writing your own code from scratch. Special attention is given to automating tasks in Glyphs. This course also works as an add-on to the ILT-Glyphs Font Engineering course.

1. Feb 21 (2 hours), 18:00-20:00 UK
2. Feb 23 (2 hours), 18:00-20:00 UK
3. Feb 25 (4 hours), 14:00-18:00 UK
4. Feb 28 (2 hours), 18:00-20:00 UK


Participants are required to prepare for each session with recommended reading. You will be given a set of tasks as homework once (doable within an hour). You are encouraged to submit questions before classes. Homework tasks, prepared content and collected questions are discussed in live sessions.



This course will introduce you to font engineering over a span of 3 months and 24 hours of teaching. You will understand how an OpenType font works internally, be able to make adjustments to a .glyphs file, manipulate a CFF and TTF post-export, produce variable fonts, as well as track down and fix technical issues. Some experience in Glyphs and basic Python skills are expected (a parallel Python workshop can be booked separately).

1. March 2: Setup, OpenType specification and fonttools/ttx in the Terminal
2. March 7: name table: family naming, style linking
3. March 9: OS/2, head and hhea tables: special focus on vertical metrics, fsSelection
4. March 14: OTVAR production (STAT, fvar, avar and gvar tables)
5. March 16: OTVAR production (STAT, fvar, avar and gvar tables)
6. March 21: OTVAR production (STAT, fvar, avar and gvar tables)
7. March 23: fontbakery: passing the adobefonts tests
8. March 28: Writing your own tests (fonttools, fontbakery) for OpenType binaries
9. April 4: Writing Terminal commands for post-production (fonttools)
10. April 11: Pre-export engineering (.glyphs files)
11. April 13: Pre-export engineering: outlines (plus outline conversion)
12. April 18: Pre-export engineering: components & reusing shapes

Participants are required to prepare for each session with recommended reading and pre-recorded videos (doable within an hour). Throughout the course, sample tasks will be given as homework. You are encouraged to collect and submit questions before courses. Homework tasks, prepared content and collected questions are discussed in live sessions.

The course will use the latest software in order to set up a virtual classroom and a resource centre for the course materials. Participants will need to join the weekly sessions via a Zoom link. A stable internet connection is required, as well as the latest Glyphs software on a Mac. macOS 11 or later and Glyphs 3 are recommended. We will install FontTools/ttx at the beginning of the course.

Take your Glyphs skills to the next level in a half-day session loaded with tips, tricks and the gems hidden in the depths of your favourite font editor. Topics covered include:

• paths: explore more efficient or alternate drawing techniques: outside corners, masks, hidden tool tricks
• harmonizing: quickly achieve the perfect curve, understand nudging
• batch-editing: multiplying shapes, mass transformations, understand the Paste Special menu
• extensions for finding, or better, avoiding mistakes from the start
• components: put smart components to good use, apply corner, cap and segment components, use brushes, make the most of auto-alignment

…and more! Bring your fonts and show us your toughest nut to crack, and we will figure out a workflow that gets the job done smoothly.

Learn how to create all major color font formats in Glyphs in this two-day workshop with Rainer Scheichelbauer.

Topics covered include:

• COLR/CPAL (including a sneak peek into COLRv1)
• SVG
• sbix
• layered fonts

…their potentials and their limits, how to prepare a design for multiple formats, and which formats work in which environment. Recommended reading: the color font tutorials on the Glyphs website (not mandatory, but you’ll get more out of the workshop if you prepare).

Finally make the move from static to variable font design! Topics covered include:

• drawing for delta interpolation
• set up axes, masters and instances
• use the best extensions for OTVAR production
• efficiently use variable font settings and custom parameters in the Glyphs Font Info
• make the most of OpenType features for variable fonts
• animate your variable font in a browser
• take a peek into the STAT and fvar tables
• test your variable font, fix and avoid common mistakes

Plus, learn what variable fonts can—and cannot—do. Recommended (not required) reading: the tutorials ‘Multiple Masters’ (3 parts), ‘Creating a variable font’ and ‘Switching’ shapes tutorials on the Glyphs website.