Intro to Type Design for Africans
Take your first bold steps into type design as an African. Learn the fundamentals of type design and create your own font in 8 weeks!
Are you curious about how fonts are made? Do you find yourself sketching letters or wondering how designing typefaces as an African looks like? If so, this course is for you.
Intro to Type Design for Africans is a beginner-friendly online workshop that introduces you to the world of type design. In 8 weeks, you'll learn how letters are constructed, how to digitize your ideas, and how to give your typeface a unique voice. At the end, you'll walk away your first mini type project and a better eye for letters.
What You'll Learn:
- Create a typeface of your own
- Have an understanding of the type design process
- Be part of a supportive community of type enthusiasts
Learning Outcomes:
- Fundamental principles of type design
- Sketching techniques
- Basic use of Glyphs App
- Learn how to design Latin caps (A–Z)
- Develop a critical eye for shapes, spacing, rhythm, and contrast
- Acquire proofing skills & achieve quality and consistency
- Design a mini type specimen that showcases your project
Material Requirements:
- Good internet connection
- Mac computer (laptop or desktop)
- Glyphs App (a free temporary license will be issued to each student)
- A Discord account (invitation to a class group will be sent to registered participants)
- Adobe Creative Suite or Affinity Designer to test the fonts.
- Sharpie or preferred black ink marker
- White-out correction pen
- Black ink or paint
- A drawing pad or paper (8.5" x 11" or larger)
- Tracing paper
- General drawing tools: pencils, eraser, rulers, etc.
- Access to a B&W laser printer for proofing (optional; 1200 dpi recommended)
Software Requirements:
For this program, we will be working with Glyphs App (Mac only). A temporary Glyphs App license will be provided to all participants for the duration of the class. Classes will be held on Google Meet and communication and sharing work will be done through a Discord channel.
Schedule
About Instructor
Chisaokwu Joboson is a brand and type designer based in Lagos, Nigeria. He founded Udi Foundry, an independent type foundry focused on creating culturally resonant and expressive African typefaces for global use. With over 7 years of experience designing for brands across Africa and beyond, Joboson brings a deep understanding of how type, language, and identity intersect.
His work centers on reclaiming and reimagining African visual narratives through type, often drawing inspiration from indigenous tools, sounds, forms, and systems. Fonts like Ojuju and Oja Display reflect this ethos—merging modern usability with cultural memory. Through these designs, he seeks not only to diversify the global type landscape but also to normalize African visual voices in contemporary communication.
Beyond design, Joboson is passionate about knowledge sharing and community building. He founded Type Afrika, a budding platform for African type design enthusiasts, where he mentors beginners and nurtures the next generation of designers interested in type. He regularly contributes to conversations around African design identity, decolonization of design, and the need for more authentic representation in visual culture.