Prior to learning typography, I was lost. I was putting things on a page without understanding how shifting something left or right affected all the components on the page. I remember walking through the halls of ArtCenter looking at beautiful pieces of design work and thinking, "One day, I will get there." It wasn't until my third term at ArtCenter where things began to change. I was enrolled in an art class, and it was in this class where everything that confused me about typography, suddenly made perfect sense. Everything about how type works fell into place. This was the big moment that shifted my thinking and understanding of design. Notice I didn't write typography—I mean design. I saw how the fundamentals of type could be incorporated into all facets of design. Coming out of ArtCenter, I landed my first professional job at an advertising agency. In less than a year, I went from earning $40,000 salary to $85,000—not just because of typography, but because of how I applied its principles to all areas of design to create really good work. It was through my understanding of type that I was able to manipulate information, as well as how it was used, to evoke certain feelings and create impact. Here’s the thing about type: it’s not about choosing a typeface or certain font. It’s about learning how to make good use out of the tools you have. Just like a chef in the kitchen, or a photographer in a studio, it’s their tools that allow them to do their jobs well and improve their skillsets. My belief is that when you understand how to use type, you master how to lay things out on a page that creates a perfect harmony. Everything begins to work together beautifully when you familiarize yourself with the principles of typography and apply them to your practice. This course is the culmination of everything I learned throughout my studies at ArtCenter. It’s my hope that the dark art and mystery of typography become logical to you, so you can create amazing pieces of work and excel as a designer.