TypeTalk: Hand-Drawn Type
Hand-drawn lettering is an excellent alternative to a traditional typeface. I’m not (necessarily) talking about fancy calligraphy or professionally drawn hand lettering, but informal letters that look like (or are) actual handwriting.
Here are some reasons why I like this organic approach:
- The unique results can speak to your audience in a personal way
- Because it’s so customized, it can match layout needs and target audience preferences precisely
- It can appear to come from a specific person or voice, such as a child’s scrawl, a famous person’s handwriting, etc.
- It can be cheaper than using a font!
While you can certainly hire a professional lettering artist or illustrator to create the kind of writing you need, that isn’t the only way. Do you, or does anyone you know, have eye-catching handwriting? Have you ever received correspondence with writing that’s attractive, interesting, or even quirky? These are all possible sources. Give it your best shot, or ask your friends, family, or coworkers to write a sample.
Once you find a style you like, then what? Digital technology has accustomed us to multiple undo’s, and happily, the final version of your lettering doesn’t have to be created in one attempt. Here are steps to go from concept to final artwork:
1. Write (or have written) the actual text several times at a size close to the desired final size. The letters can stand alone or be part of an entire word.
2. Use tracing paper to revise and redraw as necessary.
3. Scan and import the drawings into Illustrator or whatever software you like to create workable, editable vector images.
4. Choose the letterforms and/or entire words you want to appear in the final layout.
5. Assemble the letters and words in your layout.
6. Adjust the size, weight, spacing, alignment, and color as desired.
If you’re willing to forgo some individuality for a faster and relatively inexpensive alternative, there are many hand-drawn fonts that might serve your purpose. Check out YouWorkForThem for a sampling.
Neat stuff! Check this out
Joesy Jer at TJs
joejer.blogspot.com
TJs NB Wall Art
nbwallint.blogspot.com
One of my pet peeves is the use of “type” describing something hand-drawn. I have had some folks look at my calligraphy and ask, “What type font is that?’ My answer is standard: We use calligraphic “hands” or “styles” when referring to hand-lettering. Using the word “type” for hand-lettering is a misnomer.
Gerald Moscato/Principal
Calligraphic Variations
Moscato Design
Point well taken, Gerald. And I should have known better. I mostly referred to “lettering” in the article, but I did slip up a few times (including on the title ARGHHH!) – will see if that can be rectified!
Ilene
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T H E T Y P E S T U D I O
Westport, CT
203.227.5929
http://www.thetypestudio.com/
I bought a book on hand-drawing type for scrapbooking, and tried it out for the Sketchbook Project this year, including a bunch of “spoonerisms”.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/girlmeetsart/6604271721/
In fact, most of the pages use one type of hand-drawn font or another. Great fun!
Chris Raymond