Franz Werner was born in Basel, Switzerland. In 1972 he received his Swiss Federal Diploma in Typography. From 1978 to 1979 he studied under Wolfgang Weingart for his degree as “Typografischer Gestalter” followed by a two-year postgraduate program in graphic design under professor Armin Hofmann at the School of Design, Basel. Werner worked for Birkhäuser AG, Basel and for Schwabe & Co., Basel (former employer of distinguished designer Jan Tschichold). In 1975 he moved to New Zealand where he worked for the N.Z. Government Printer/Publisher.
Werner started teaching at RISD in 1981 with a focus on typography and photography while maintaining a freelance practice in design, with such clients as International Paper, Intel and Brown University. Werner has lectured and taught at the Osaka University of the Arts; Sozosha College of Design; University of Canterbury, New Zealand; University of Art and Design Basel/Switzerland, Fraunhofer Institute, University of Darmstadt, Germany. He is the recipient of the PDN/Nikon award, the Faculty Development Grant for research in iconography and the RISD alumni association award for Art of Education.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
GRAPH 3214-02 - TYPOGRAPHY I
LevelUndergraduate
UnitGraphic Design
Subject Graphic Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
GRAPH 3214-02
TYPOGRAPHY I
LevelUndergraduate
UnitGraphic Design
Subject Graphic Design
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PMInstructor(s): Franz WernerLocation(s): Design Center, Room 501Enrolled / Capacity: 14Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Typography 1 is the first in a three-course sequence that introduces students to the fundamentals of typographic practice, both as a set of technical skills and as an expressive medium. This first semester of typography begins fully zoomed-in -- exploring how and why letterforms are formed. Students will work with various tools and materials to construct letters; with attention paid to meaning, voice and the line between language and abstract form. The second part of the semester concerns itself with setting type. Typesetting is the score for the reading experience. Typesetting conventions and nomenclature will be taught by zooming out from the letter, to the word, to the paragraph and to the page. Students will become comfortable with typographic color and texture in a finite static composition. This is a studio course, so some class time will be used for discussions, most of the time we will be working in class. There is an expectation that students work both individually and in groups and be prepared to speak about their own work and the work of their peers in supportive and respectful ways. A laptop and relevant software are required.
Please contact the department for permission to register.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
ID 20ST-10 - SPECIAL TOPIC DESIGN STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitIndustrial Design
Subject Industrial Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
ID 20ST-10
SPECIAL TOPIC DESIGN STUDIO
LevelUndergraduate
UnitIndustrial Design
Subject Industrial Design
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TH | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PMInstructor(s): Franz WernerEnrolled / Capacity: 15Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The course investigates the structural dynamics of practice-related organizational processes via two- and multi-dimensional proportional systems, progressively evolving and adapting modules, using symmetries, rhythms, series and patterns.
The purpose of this visual research is to systematize the total design process, from the selection of consistent visual vocabularies and color schemes, to framing the interconnecting bridges for the visual work, as well the organization and control of content components to facilitate comprehension of communication systems (wayfinding, diagramming, identifies and signage, etc.). Studio work is supplemented with theoretical lectures and handouts on aspects of systems design. Some knowledge and competency in beginning typography and the language of two-dimensional design is helpful.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Industrial Design Students.
