MRes Typeface Design

Program Overview

The MRes Typeface Design program at the University of Reading is a research-intensive qualification designed for experienced typeface designers seeking to deepen their understanding of the field. Delivered part-time over two years, the program combines online seminars with intensive residential periods, focusing on research methods, archival work, and critical writing. Graduates can expect to develop expertise in teaching at the postgraduate level and contribute to original research in the field of typeface design.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MRes Typeface Design course is designed for experienced, practicing typeface designers who seek to deepen their understanding of the historical and theoretical aspects of their field. It provides a research-intensive qualification that enables graduates to teach at the postgraduate level. The program is structured on a hybrid model over two years of part-time study. It extends the core seminars of the residential MA Typeface Design course and integrates intensive sessions modeled on the TDi short course. Most of the work is conducted online, with three residential periods of two weeks each providing targeted research skills and archival work. The aim is to combine self-directed learning through guided study, discourse development through engagement with peers, face-to-face feedback on presentations and discussion, and hands-on experience with sensitive artifacts. The course follows a two-semester structure per academic year. Students start in September of Year 1, with the first residential period at the beginning of semester 1 (late September). The second residential period takes place in semester 2 of the first year, coinciding with the vacation period of most HEIs. The third residential period takes place in semester 1 of Year 2. The course is ideal for practitioners transitioning to teaching careers and educators seeking higher qualifications in a research-intensive environment. Graduates can expect to have a deep engagement with the literature in the field and a unique opportunity to work with archival material. They can also expect to build broader academic skills in research and writing. The main output takes the form of a rigorous dissertation based on original research. The better examples are expected to be of publication quality and contribute to the nascent scholarship in the field.

Outline:

Year 1

• Semester 1
• Development of skills in using online channels and the VLE
• First residential period:
• Focus on working methodologies, writing and critical reading skills
• Preparation for studying the thematic seminars
• Two series of intensive seminars:
• Outlining the themes of the seminars and introducing relevant key texts
• Focusing on research methods and academic writing skills
• Semester 2
• Online delivery of the themed seminars
• Contributions to discussions, short responses, and annotations to key texts
• Election of a topic related to the themes of the seminars for assessed work
• Preparation for the second residential period
• Second residential period
• Overlaps with the established TDi summer course
• Lectures, seminars, and sessions involving Collections and Archives
• Workshops that support experiential learning
• Engagement with sets of objects
• Individual presentations and exhibitions as assessed work
• Opportunity to discuss dissertation topics with staff and consult the Reading Room for relevant resources

Year 2

• Semester 1
• Third residential period:
• Further sessions from the research methods schedule
• Focus on visual documentation and description
• Substantial drafts of the dissertation ready for feedback
• Semester 2
• Embarking on research for the dissertation
• Individual interaction with staff for feedback on outlines and drafts
• Continued use of the online forum for shared responses

Teaching:

The teaching methods employed in the program include:

• Online delivery of seminars
• Intensive seminars during residential periods
• Lectures
• Workshops
• Individual presentations and exhibitions
• Face-to-face feedback on presentations and discussion
• Hands-on experience with sensitive artifacts
• Access to Collections and Archives
• Consultation with staff on dissertation topics

Careers:

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in teaching and research. They may move from sessional or teaching-only posts to positions where research outputs are expected. The potential to carry out original research during the MRes can help start or improve their publications list. Graduates may also apply directly to PhD programs, having demonstrated independent research and writing skills.

Other:

• The Department of Typography & Graphic Design is internationally renowned, with 100% of its research judged to be of international standing and 100% of its research impact classed as 'outstanding' or 'very considerable.'
• The University of Reading ranks in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (=91 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024) and top 150 for Arts and Design globally (101-150 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).

£7,300 New international students:

£7,300