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New
New
Year 5

Learn to draw typographic letter forms

I can create and understand impactful typographic letter forms

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 5

Learn to draw typographic letter forms

I can create and understand impactful typographic letter forms

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Understand how to draw and design typographic letterforms by focusing on shape, spacing and proportions
  2. Learn how different letterforms communicate different moods or themes in graphic design and typography
  3. Practice designing your own letters with attention to detail and creativity

Keywords

  • Typography - arranging letters and text in a way that makes them readable and visually appealing

  • Typeface - a set of letters that share a similar shape and design

  • Letterform - the shape and design of a single letter

  • Serif - small lines or strokes added to the ends of letters

Common misconception

The content of text conveys all essential information.

Typograhy, typefaces, and letterform designs can change the emotion and message of written text.

Provide lettering grids, templates or tracing guides to help with basic letterforms. Encourage pupils to focus on clean, simple designs. A whiteboard may also be useful to demonstrate the construction of different letterforms.
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equipment-required

Equipment

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are basic shapes used for in art and design?
Only as random doodles
Correct answer: Building complex designs
Only for symmetrical patterns
Q2.
What does typography refer to?
Correct answer: The style and appearance of letters
The cost of a printed item
The size of paper
Q3.
What is calligraphy?
Correct answer: The art of beautiful handwriting
A mathematical shape
A specific colour palette
Q4.
What is a typeface?
The size and weight of letters
Correct answer: A set of letters that share a similar shape and design
The arrangement of pictures and words in design
Q5.
What is one way emotions can be expressed in an artwork?
By adding numbers
By using rulers
Correct answer: Through colour choices
Q6.
What can enhance the impact of typography?
Avoiding creative layouts
Using random letterforms
Correct answer: Incorporating graphic design principles

6 Questions

Q1.
How can typography convey emotion?
Only the word content conveys emotion
By using random shapes
Correct answer: Through styles and colours
Q2.
A letterform is...
A set of letters that share a similar shape and design
Correct answer: The shape and design of a single letter
A handwritten letter, such as a birthday card or event invitation
Q3.
How are pictures and words used in graphic design?
Correct answer: They help to communicate the design’s message
They cannot be changed frequently
It only decorates the page
Q4.
Consistency in letterforms can be created by considering...
Correct answer: Size, spacing and proportion
Colour, pattern and texture
Context, audience and purpose
Q5.
A serif typeface...
Has even width strokes throughout
Correct answer: Varies between thick and thin strokes
Is not used for professional writing
Q6.
Personality can be added to typographic letterforms by adding…
Correct answer: Decorative touches
An artist’s signature
A border design

Additional material

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