Course Overview

MacFadden & Thorpe Summer School is an independent 4-and 8-week online program in design with a focus on typography. The program will allow students to develop their own project with the focused support of principal designers Brett MacFadden and Scott Thorpe and members of their team. This is an opportunity to build skills and complete work outside of the assignments and grading structure of a formal educational institution, while benefiting from the guided expertise and professional experience of your instructors.

 

During MT Summer School, each participant will work on an individual typography project developed from their specific interests. Projects might include precursors or extensions of thesis work, studies in experimental typography, publication or book design, motion graphics, or other typographic explorations. The workshop provides a structured learning environment, offering practical and conceptual guidance in typographic development, allowing students to supplement their education in a risk-free environment outside the context of professional or academic careers. At the end of each session there will be a final presentation.

 

Course Structure

Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays. Each student will meet with the instructors individually a half-hour per week and with the group for a three-hour session per week. Group sessions will consist of open work time, group critiques, presentations, and visiting lecturers. To ensure individual attention, each session is limited to 10 participants.

 

About the instructors

Brett MacFadden and Scott Thorpe have run their studio MacFadden & Thorpe since 2008, working with industry and cultural clients such as Airbnb, SFMOMA, and McEvoy Foundation for the Arts. MT’s work is particularly focused on typographic expression, and both partners have taught in the undergraduate and MFA in Design programs at CCA since 2011.

 

Tuition

$1,000 per student per 4-week session. $2000 for 8 week session. If full tuition presents a hardship, let us know in your application and we will consider adjustments on a case-by-case basis.

 

Application Schedule

Session 1: June 8 – July 2
Application due by 5/29
Notifications will go out on 6/1
Payment due by 6/5

 

Session 2: July 13 – August 6
Application due by 7/3
Notifications will go out on 7/6
Payment due by 7/10

 

Application

https://forms.gle/TosRknru7GGJ12Et6