TDi-S Type Design Intensive Singapore 2026

Join us for Singapore's first type design and research intensive short course! TDi-S Typeface Design Intensive Singapore 2026 Research for transformative and sustainable practice Above: An exercise comparing and understanding counters in letterforms About Typeface Design Intensive Singapore (TDi-S) is a local adaptation of the long running TDi program at the University of Reading, which pioneered an intensive, research-driven format for learning about multiscript typeface design and typography. TDi-S adapts to the Singaporean and regional context the pioneering approach of the UK-based TDi: an intensive format for learning about multiscript typeface design and typography that connects research with primary sources to practice that is relevant, transformative, and sustainable. The course is perfect for emerging and experienced designers, educators and researchers, as well as those working with typefaces in the technology sector. Beyond design professionals, the TDi has been instrumental in building knowledge and skills for engineers, developers, and decision makers who need to understand the role of typefaces in digital environments. By basing the course in Singapore, we are connecting directly with regions where research-informed practice in typeface design and typography are growing. The course will support and accelerate the careers of designers and researchers who aim to lead the next phase of design practice and education in South East Asia. Above: Prof. Gerry Leonidas preparing for archival sessions. Course Schedule Please note that the schedule is still being updated. Monday, Day 1 Gerry Leonidas, Dr. Yong Ring, Damien Chong AM Introduction to the course | Personal Introductions | Ways of Working Presentations: A theoretical framework for working with primary sources PM Group exercises: Document and type genres / character sets and behaviours | connecting to languages and communities Presentations: Typographic proportions, layouts, and styles | criteria for evaluating typefaces Tuesday, Day 2 Gerry Leonidas, Dr. Yong Ring, Damien Chong AM Collections Session (Gerry Leonidas) Case study with Greek archival evidence: lessons from the first diasporic and non-native script typography in Europe PM Group exercises: Selecting family members and styles | Looking at typefaces in detail Presentations: New approaches in typeface design research: revisiting materiality | Integrating Digital Humanities techniques Wednesday Day 3 Damien Chong , Miguel Chew, additional contributors (TBC) AM Collections Session (Damien Chong) Contextualising Singaporean printing and typography through an analysis of early printing and archival material PM Historic Press Workshop session with NAFA’s archive or; Feedback on personal projects Thursday, Day 4 Dr. Ring Yong, additional contributors (TBC) AM Collections Session (Yong Ring) Case study with Chinese archival evidence: a trajectory of negotiation between a new technology and an established print tradition PM Group exercises: Discussions on multiscript / multilingual typography and typeface design | typographic pairing across scripts for global applications, feedback on personal projects Friday, Day 5 Muthu Nedumaran, Gerry Leonidas, Dr. Ring Yong, Damien Chong AM Case Study (Muthu Nedumaran) Presentation: Revisiting relationships of scripts and languages / surfacing and addressing limitations of font technologies to support world languages PM Discussions and joint workgroup sessions: Bringing together strands | Current research and practice directions Presentation: The type market and careers in type Closing session: Recap session | Routes forward Location The course will be held in-person at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Parts of the event will require moving between locations near or within the campus. Additional Information The course will run for five days, 10:00 – 17:00 each day with an hour’s break for lunch. Coffee and tea breaks will be provided in the morning and afternoons. The program and key persons are still subject to changes. Attendees will be issued certificates. Above: An exercise developing letterforms from counters. Organisers TDi-S is organised collaboratively by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA-UAS) and the University of Reading. Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is Singapore’s pioneer and largest arts institution. The academy is known for its rigorous and high-quality curriculum, innovative and practitioners-led teaching approach, diverse artistic creations and community outreach. NAFA’s Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) leads in Southeast Asian arts practice and research locally and internationally. NAFA has nurtured the most number of alumni conferred the nation’s highest accolades, with 16 Cultural Medallion and 15 Young Artist Award recipients. NAFA graduates are creative changemakers, highly skilled, and well-rounded in interdisciplinary approaches who impact diverse arts and creative fields in Singapore and abroad. The Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading boasts the first typography course within a research intensive university. From the theory of graphic language to research in visual literacy, and from the history of typesetting technologies to the design of typefaces for global scripts, Reading has been at the forefront of the evolution of typography into a fully fledged discipline. It pioneered Masters and PhD-level studies in typeface design, and its research and practice outputs have helped define the field of typeface design globally. Sponsors This edition of the TDi is supported by Monotype.