Hand-drawn type is a playful blend of artistry and letterforms, offering a personal touch that brings projects to life. It’s a refreshing escape from the digital world, where the simple act of using pen and paper invites pure, unfiltered imagination to flourish. The experience of sketching and shaping words is a creative dance that expresses emotions and connects with people in meaningful ways.
For me, the charm lies in embracing the analog. In an era driven by screens and pixels, there’s a unique inspiration found in returning to the basics. A blank sheet of paper and a splash of color can ignite a creative spark that software simply can’t replicate. Computers are powerful, but the real magic happens when ideas flow freely, unrestrained by technology’s limits.
Hand-drawn type encourages this spirit of exploration. It invites us to sketch, experiment, and enjoy the creative process. It’s about more than crafting beautiful letterforms—it’s a celebration of imagination and the joy of bringing ideas to life, one hand-drawn stroke at a time.
without an identity, any subject will be unrecognizable. who is it, what is it, what makes it what it is. you will choose a subject. person, place, houseplant, private army, etc. real or fictional, determine the important aspects of their identity. draw this aspect out in a lettering form that fits the identity of the subject.
building visual interest. layering. contrast. comparison. pattern… play with this. choose one word. work with a word that can embody the idea of using both thick and thin strokes. draw this word out in a way that visually defines duplicity.
inspiration, motivation, personal philosophy, words, thoughts, motivation… choose a word, phrase, quote or sentence that defines your philosophy or outlook. draw this out in a lettering form that fits the style of the message and your personal style.
choose a word. craft that word using a hand drawn technique. make a stencil. think upscale typographic street art or visually refined graffiti. draw out this word using a technique that makes sense with the subject matter. the execution should match the concept.
upset, pissed off, angry, irritated, feeling sinister, want to set someone straight? choose a message based on a frustration of your choosing. choose something that will allow you to be expressive. draw this out in a lettering form that fits the emotion of the message.
comics. graphic novels. pop art. you may not hear the emphasis, inflection, sarcasm, or seriousness, but you can see it.
choose a phrase, exclamation, or statement. now, make the feeling of this message match the visual form of it. then, draw out the message in a way that slaps the viewer in the face.
