Getting Schooled: Type@Cooper
This week, we continue with Getting Schooled, featuring my experience last year at Type@Cooper.
ICYMI, Getting Schooled is a new series on tttt where we feature students and alumni from various type design programs, answering a similar set of 10 questions about their journeys before, during, and after their studies. The week before last, we had Tiffany share her experience at TypeParis.
So, here’s my time at Cooper—
1. What motivated you to choose the Type@Cooper program over other type design programs?
The short answer: New York.
The long answer: After 5 years of working full-time, I was ready for a bit of a reset, an avenue to invest in myself and my skills. If you know anything about me, you know that typography is one of the biggest loves of my life—but I’d always felt like an imposter yapping about typography without having learned at least the basics of type design. So, this was it. I wanted to pursue one of my biggest dreams—to study type design.
Over the years, I’d evaluated different programs—masters, online, summer, etc., and the Type@Cooper Condensed Program seemed ideal for what I was looking for—in-person and immersive, short but long enough, and heavily recommended by peers and alumni. Bonus: This would be my first time in New York City, and what better way to experience this illustrious city than as a summer student of type design?
For those of you wondering why not the Extended Program? From my research, the Extended Program seemed best suited for residents of New York, or at least the US, because the program is split into a few terms that required coming into the city for some in-person classes, while the rest was remote. I was hoping for a fully immersive experience, so I paused all my active projects for 7 weeks, flew to New York, and got ready to be neck-deep in letters.
2. What’s your background? Did/How did you prepare before starting the Type@Cooper program? Any insights you can share about the application process and what got you selected?
I did my undergrad in graphic design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (India), and then went on to work in-house as a brand designer in tech startups. For the past 3 years, I’ve been an independent brand designer and strategist, building my own practice and working with early-stage startups and internet companies.
My preparation began by evaluating the various programs around the world and comparing them. I then spoke to Kalapi Gajjar (co-founder of Universal Thirst) and Namrata Goyal (type designer and alum of T@C) to get their advice on pursuing the program. They both had rave reviews, and from what they described, it seemed perfect for someone like me—
big fat nerd about typography
has some typographic skills and flair
does not know if she wants to fully pivot/commit to type design as a career
could apply program learnings to professional work
No special insights about the application process other than the fact that I followed the instructions to the tee—dimensions, number of pages, etc.—no funny business. I also tried to emphasise my consistent love and flair for typography rather than my technical skills (because I’d hope that’s what I would be learning there).
3. Were there any logistical considerations you had to manage before or during the program?
YES. For those of us that need it, you’ll need an active US visa. Since Type@Cooper is a short-term/summer program, you can’t apply for a student visa.
It’s probably a good idea to apply to the program if/after you have an active visa. It would really suck to get accepted and then not be able to go because the visa waiting times are too long or it doesn’t go through for some reason.
4. Can you describe your overall experience at Type@Cooper? What stood out the most for you?
Since the program has been going on for many years now, you can really tell that they’ve nailed the curriculum and expectations. So, assuming you’ve made the cut through the application process, everyone, by and large, is able to complete the program to its minimum requirement: a text typeface (uppercase, lowercase, Latin extended, punctuation symbols, and numbers) conceptualized and designed by you within the stipulated 5 weeks.
What stood out most for me were two things:
That everyone’s typeface, no matter its inspiration or starting point, ended up novel and distinct.
The teachers’ commitment to the class and our individual strengths, weaknesses and learning. Huge shoutout and a ton of thanks to Cara, Troy, Hannes, Ewan, Sasha and all the guest lecturers <3
5. What was your favourite project or assignment during the Type@Cooper program, and why did you enjoy it so much?
Personally, I loved designing the companion italics for my typeface. After a few weeks of focusing on the upright characters of my typeface, contemplating my italics became an exercise in balancing elegance and restraint.
6. How would you describe a typical day during your time at Type@Cooper?
Hardcore.
From 9AM to 9PM, five days a week for five weeks (with two breaks for meals and/or to catch up on pending work).
I don’t know about you, but it’s been quite a few years since I had such a demanding daily routine that required me to be up by 7AM every day, walk, take a few trains, before walking some more and finally getting to Cooper Union to draw glyphs all day. At the end of the day, at 9PM (at the earliest), I pack up, take a few trains back, walk home, and finally crash by 11PM, only to do it all over again the next day.
But every day was exciting—the first few weeks of calligraphy, morning stretches guided by the delightful Ewan Clayton, theory lectures interspersed in the middle of the day, field trips to the New York Public Library and the MET every other week, and drawing—lots and lots of drawing.
So, hardcore but fulfilling.
7. How was your interaction with your classmates? What were some of their backgrounds? Was the program designed to be collaborative or individualistic? Do/How do you still keep in touch with your Type@Cooper classmates?
Incredible.
My classmates hailed from the US, Italy, Australia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, France, the UK, Germany, and India (me). The oldest in my class was in his 60s, and the youngest was around 21. All of us were designers in some capacity—some in print, some in graphic design, some in digital design, and others in branding.
The program is structured to guide everyone, whether experienced in type design or not, to eventually create their own typefaces. Those with prior experience in using type design tools, drawing letters, or designing typefaces previously generally had an advantage in terms of speed. This allowed them to incorporate more rounds of refinement and expansions to their character sets—such as additional weights, italics, special or alternate characters, etc.
Yes, I still keep in touch with my classmates from Cooper. For a project last year, I received feedback on a wordmark I was working on from my friend Mim, wordmark pro and incoming student of Type Design at ECAL! Later this year, I'm looking forward to meeting her in her hometown! And whenever any one of us is in another’s city, we make sure to meet. Adversity often makes for the best of friends, and the program’s intensity led to me forming some incredible new friendships with fellow type enthusiasts around the globe.
8. How did being in New York enhance your learning experience? Did the city itself contribute to your growth as a type designer? Did any particular moments or places inspire your work?
I hate to admit it, but New York lived up to all its hype and lore. It’s a city brimming with personality, ambition, and quirks. For instance, during my time there, a witchcraft convention and an Italian food festival coincided on the same weekend, exemplifying how there’s always something happening for everyone, all the time.
While I can’t speak specifically about type design, the city is abundant in design inspiration, archives, and opportunities.
All the many museums and their gift shops really inspired and got my creative juices flowing. Loved them all!
9. What are the key learnings you took away from the program, and how are you applying them in your current work?
I’m not so afraid of drawing letters from scratch! As a brand designer, I directly apply the skills I gained from T@C to draw custom wordmarks and identities.
10. Do you have any additional thoughts, considerations, advice or suggestions for aspiring students?
DO. IT.
The 2024 Type@Cooper – Condensed Program is currently underway—yesterday was their first day! So if you’re interested in next year’s program, keep an eye out on their website.
What are some other schools, programs (short-term, masters, online or others) or courses you’re interested in learning more about? Are they other questions you’d like us to help answer?
Let me know in the comments, or send me an email.
CYA!
🌈 Sneha.