TGMRM: Research Methods in Typography and Graphic Communication

Module code: TGMRM

Module provider: Typography; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Gerry Leonidas , email: g.leonidas@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Fiona Ross, email: f.g.e.ross@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

To provide students with the basic practical research skills needed to do research for, and write, an MA dissertation; to enable them to read published research critically; to give them an awareness of the range of research methods used in typography and graphic communication (including practice as a method), and an understanding of the underlying principles; to enable them to select and apply appropriate research methods in their own work. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify research methods appropriate to particular kinds of problem in typography and graphic communication or typeface design
2. Search effectively and read critically and review the literature on a chosen topic
3. Describe and analyse primary archival material and digital artefacts
4. Identify appropriate research questions for their dissertation
5. Identify appropriate methodologies for their research questions

Module content

Students will be introduced to a range of research methods whose practical application to typography and graphic communication issues will be demonstrated through case studies. Such methods include descriptive studies, ethnographic research, surveys, and performance tests. Students are also introduced to methodologies for approaching primary archival material and digital artefacts. Emphasis will also be placed on the student developing skills and techniques for using printed and electronic resources in libraries and archives, critical reading and effective note-taking, reviewing the literature, and bibliographical referencing. Issues relating to the preparation of a written dissertation proposal and the writing and presentation of the dissertation itself will also be addressed. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students take part in a series of weekly staff-led sessions, to examine and discuss resources from the Department’s own collections and the University’s Special Collections. These sessions provide contextual material, and underpin students’ engagement with issues across typographic theory, history, and practice and the material aspects of Communication Design.  

The sessions also make explicit reference to collections-based academic research conducted in the Department. Within the teaching sessions and in researching their own topics for the written assignment, Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of current issues in design discourse, the interaction of technological developments and social conditions globally, and issues of inclusion and diversity in the field. 

Study hours

At least 48 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.