Are you ready to take your type design to the next level? A great idea isn’t enough. A typeface also needs to be well-executed to knock it out of the park. That’s what Practica’s Latin One is all about execution, craft, mechanics. No matter where you are in the type design process, we’ll help you give your great idea a professional finish. Join us January 2026 and dig deeper into typeface design.
Participants who do not have a Glyphs license yet receive an extended trial license and can purchase their own full license at a discount.
Practica Latin One: Mechanics
21 January through 4 March 2026
Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. CST (Chicago)
The course begins with working in a font editor, creating a clean font file, tackling Bezier curves, and making optical corrections to your letters. From there, we’ll discuss how a professional approaches the overall type design process, as well as spacing and proofing type. We’ll cover even more topics, many you’ll find by reading through the schedule.
At the same time, you’ll put this new knowledge into practice by applying it to a typeface of your own. Feedback sessions and font file reviews take this course from purely theoretical to fully practical. You’ll receive concrete advice on how to improve your typeface — whether it’s a missing point, problematic proportions, or a letter that’s heavier than the rest.
The goal of this course is to take your raw material, refine it, and give it a solid foundation. You’ll gain an appreciation for the practice of type design and improve your eye in the process. The world of letters will never look the same.
What you’ll learn:
- Techniques to improve your Bézier curves and add snap to your letters
- How to make informed decisions about vertical metrics
- How to improve your spacing
- How to move more consciously through the type design process
- The design difference between fonts meant for text vs. display
- How to make optical corrections and small adjustments that improve the overall color of your font
- To notice the details without losing sight of the larger system of your typeface
- How to use proofing as a tool to make your typeface better
What’s included:
- 21.5 course hours
- Live feedback sessions held over Zoom on Wednesdays (sessions are recorded)
- Pre-recorded lectures are released each week
- Access to our private Discord community
- Free trial Glyphs license
- Certificate of completion (80% attendance required)
Schedule:
- Jan 21: Course introduction and kickoff (live, 30 min)
- Jan 28: Font file review (live, 2.5 hours). Videos: Working smart: a basic type design workflow; Setting up your font file and finding efficiencies in Glyphs
- Feb 4: Feedback session (live, 2.5 hours). Videos: Basic techniques for drawing letters with Bezier curves; Spacing workshop, part one
- Feb 11: Feedback session (live, 2.5 hours). Videos: Advanced drawing letters with Bezier curves; Spacing workshop, part two
- Feb 18: Feedback session (live, 2.5 hours). Videos: Design difference between text and display type; Proofing typefaces
- Feb 25: Feedback session (live, 2.5 hours). Videos: Beyond the basics: setting up your font file
- March 2–4: Individual feedback session. Students choose a single 20-minute feedback slot on one of the three days
Practica also offers a 15-week follow-up course, Latin Two, that can be taken after Latin One to continue learning about type design. The two courses can also be taken separately.
Where?
Live Zoom sessions
Who?
Nicole Dotin
Sol Matas
For Whom?
Some experience with type design expected. Read more.
How Much?
Starting at USD 250, with two scholarships available for individuals with demonstrated financial need. More info on the Practica website.
Language
English
Prerequisites
Mac with Glyphs preinstalled. Internet connection, a layout program like Affinity Publisher or InDesign. Zoom and Discord accounts (both free).
Registration
Enrollment opens January 5, 2026
