One thing that can be a hold up is deciding where to start. As a designer, I can’t start a project without a clear goal and problem to solve. I mean honestly, who really needs my handwriting as a font?
Read MorePractical Steps in Designing a Typeface; Overview of Tobias Frere-Jones Design Details Podcast
While on my long commute earlier this month, I listened to Design Details podcast 85: Lettering Liaison (feat. Tobias Frere-Jones). http://spec.fm/podcasts/design-details/21957. I’ve experienced many interviews about creating typefaces but I found this one to be the most practical so far.
Read MoreFree Printable for the Giving Season: Romans 15:13
Last Christmas, we boxed up some gifts for families in need. It felt great to gather up the items, but before we could seal them up it felt like something was missing. We chose to be anonymous in each, but it felt like such a missed opportunity to say something. Should we include a card?
Read MoreTypography Tools on the Web
I've been finding a lot of simple, yet valuable tools online lately. They each work in their own way to get the finer details into focus for designing websites, app or even typefaces. Some, for details that are often missed.
Read MoreHow to Improve Your Hand Lettering Skills
As any type of creative, practicing your craft is the only way to constantly improve. When you are striving toward mastering a skill, spending time creating can be fun. You can do it whenever you have time, and get better over time.
There are a few tips that will help you get better faster that aren’t always obvious. Even if you’ve been practicing for some time, make sure you’re getting the most out of your exercises.
Read MoreSetting Up a Lettering Space
Having many interests that benefit from having a computer nearby has resulted in my office becoming a cluttered mess. Lately it’s been driving me crazy as I go from designing, researching, blogging, learning, sewing or lettering.
Read MoreTypography in a small town
Between historical buildings, small shops and services, and some cute eateries the small mileage offers quite a bit of signage and charm to share.
Read MoreLettering Practice Sheet
I've been moving right along in the LearnLettering.com starter class for a few days now and decided to create a printable for each typeface I want to use in my deliberate practice. So far, I'm starting with the typefaces suggested in the lessons so I figured it might be helpful to share the PDF for others using this technique.
Read MoreUpdate on my Skillshare Project
A while back I posted my progress on my first official Hand Lettering class on Skillshare. I thought it might be valuable to share an update on the final steps.
Read MoreCrayola Light Up Tracing Pad Review
I have been needing a better solution for tracing for lettering practice and so in doing research I learned that there are light up tracing pads in addition to the typical light box I was picturing. They are less expensive and potable. I knew this was the way I wanted to go since I move my creative space all the time. I then learned the Crayola has a tracing pad that many professional artists recommended as a viable solution. I decided to try it out and ordered one on Amazon for $23.
Read MoreList of Typography and Lettering Inspiration on Instagram
Here is a list of typography, calligraphy and lettering accounts that I follow on instagram for your viewing and sharing pleasure. Hit me up with more at any time!
Read MoreCalifornia Sketch
This is just a little, quick sketch I did on the plane while I was waiting (forever!) to take off from Washington Dulles airport for the UXPA 2015 conference in San Diego.
Read MoreLogo Design Techniques: Typefaces vs Hand Lettering
Learn the difference between a font choice and customization versus the hand lettering technique for logo design, and how to make sure you get the right touch for your brand.
Read MoreWedding Card
I decided to hand letter a wedding card for a wedding we were going to attend this past weekend. Why buy one when I can practice my craft?
Read MoreHand Lettering Skillshare Class
While I have been interested and passionate about letters for some time, my experience in the digital design industry had me hesitate to break that realm and spend time on learning anything but that. I have experience using type and typography principles in many graphic designs, and marvel at the fonts I choose from to do these. But, you can only ignore your passion for so long until you make the time to be able to practice it yourself, and so far (although I have a lot of practice to do) I'm loving it and it feels so right to spend my time this way.
Read MoreCan Tools Inspire Us?
Typically inspiration is sparked before a tool is ever used, and most experts tell you that is the right way to maintain proper focus for a project with a measurable goal. Don't rely on your tools to create anything of great impact. While I agree with this approach - concepts must be strong and proper tools used to deliver, of course all tools are still just just that, tools do get the job done.
Read MoreThirsty Script
Here's a lovely summertime script that stood out to me on this month's myfonts Rising Stars newsletter.
It's got a web version and license, and a sensational flow mixed with readability. It's described as being both new and retro, and looks as if it can be paired nicely with sans serif paragraph treatment for many applications. 6 weight options accompany the family, along with great glyph options. Well done, Yellow Design Studio and thanks to another new creator in this increasingly flexible space.
Custom Rubber Stamp Logo
I finally decided to make a custom rubber stamp of my logo. I love how organic it looks and now I have options to play with offline.
Mobile Web Fonts
Ever see or develop an application where web fonts are loaded conditionally based on a larger screen and assumption of bandwidth? What are your thoughts on using web fonts in a whole mobile site?
Melany Lane
Love this font, and the many others that are featured in this month's MyFont's Rising Stars Newsletter. I'm thinking I'm going to treat myself to some new fonts in early 2012 after I finish reading Sitepoint's HTML5 and CSS3 for the Real World, and Designing with Web Standards 3rd Edition.
Cassia is another gorgeous typeface with bazillions of uses!