Embark on a Lettering Style Treasure Hunt

Deborah DeLue • May 24, 2024

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 5 No. 11

May 24, 2024

Welcome to this week's AVT newsletter! Now that nicer weather is here, it is time to get outside and explore. Get ready for an exciting journey as we....

Embark on a Lettering Style Treasure Hunt!

Our goal? To discover and appreciate the diverse world of lettering styles around us. And add a few new tools to our visual thinking tool kit to communicate complex ideas more clearly.

Why is this important? Imagine using graffiti style lettering on a fancy wedding invitation. Or a historical script for a high-tech logo. The look and feel may not match the content you're trying to communicate. Matching the lettering style to the content underscores the message.

Grab your smart device, a pen and a sketchbook and head outside, it's time to...

Discover New Styles:

Graffiti:

Characteristics: Bold, colorful, and often intricate designs. Look for the unique tags, murals, and street art in your neighborhood.
Where to Find: Urban areas, alleyways, and public walls.
Useful For: gamification of your messaging, community, creative and cultural projects, and guerilla marketing

Signage:

Characteristics: Unique lettering on shop signs, billboards, and posters. Notice the variety in fonts, colors, and layouts
Where to Find: Shopping districts, commercial areas, and community boards
Useful For: wayfinding, navigation and street signs, event banners, and restaurant menus.

Digital Fonts:

Characteristics: Various fonts used in digital media, websites, and advertisements. Pay attention to the versatility and functionality of these fonts.
Useful For: internal and external communications, presentations, meeting graphics, white papers, splash screens, and event programs.
Where to Find: Online platforms, social media, and apps.

Historical Scripts:

Characteristics: Traditional and historical scripts found in books, monuments, and public buildings. Observe the elegance and detail in these scripts.
Where to Find: Libraries, museums, historical sites, and older buildings.
Useful For: informational brochures, event signage, formal events, and board meeting agendas.

Adapt Your Handwriting

Let's put our discoveries into practice! Here's a fun activity to adapt your regular handwriting style:

Step 1: Choose a Style: Reflect on the styles you've observed and select one that inspires you.

Step 2: Analyze: Observe the key characteristics of this style. What makes it unique? Is it the shape of the letters, the use of colors, or the overall flow? Take notes or draw sketches to capture these details, identifying the unique characteristics of the letters—look at proportions, slant, stroke weight, serifs (or lack thereof), and any decorative elements.

Step 3: Practice: Starting with your standard handwriting style, begin by adapting it to mimic the shapes, curves, and spacing of the letters.

First, write the entire alphabet in your adapted style.
Next, try a few simple words or phrases.
Finally, experiment with different writing tools such as markers, pens, or brushes to achieve the desired effect.

Step 4: Create: Write a short note, message, or pangram in your adapted handwriting style. Let your creativity flow, and don't worry about perfection—it's all about exploration and fun!

Need to familiarize yourself with pangrams? Learn more here https://parade.com/living/fun-pangrams.
Consider incorporating elements like shadows, highlights, or decorative accents to enhance your lettering.

Step 5: Put it to use:

Is it bold and chunky? - create a cool title for your next chart
Is it historical and script? - use it to highlight an important quote
Is it sleek and modern? - try it for subheadings in an extensive list

Different lettering styles help convey different meanings. Having a few unique lettering styles in your visual thinking toolkit will help your audience understand your message.

Tips for Success:

Remember the number one rule - Make it legible!
Take Your Time: Don't rush the process. Enjoy the journey of exploring and adapting new styles.
Stay Inspired: Look for inspiration in everyday surroundings. Lettering styles are everywhere if you keep an eye out.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with different styles.

We'd love to see your creations! Share your adapted handwriting with us by replying to this email or tagging us on social media with #LetteringStyleTreasureHunt.