Graphic Design Scavenger Hunt — Have students look for types of fonts: Serif, Sans Serif, Script and Display in 6 categories including food, movies, clothing, products, places and "other". Gets them looking at logos, packaging, signs, advertisements, etc. Examples given in each category so they get the concept. You can have them digitally complete or draw them.
 
Graphic Design Font Creating — Using just one word students build a font/typeface for it, like a word picture. Gets students to think about fonts and typefaces. Includes examples for each word you can use after or before students create for ideas or use in analyzing. I've also used as a sketchbook assignment, early finisher, sub plan, etc. in studio art classes as well as graphic design. For advanced graphic design I've had students create in Photoshop or Illustrator.