Need to produce some flyers? Want to draw up a logo for a band? Need a T-shirt design? Don't want to use the same old computer fonts? Well, let graphic designer and typography teacher Ivan Castro show you The ABC of Custom Lettering. This practical and inspirational workbook features easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for hand drawing a range of letterforms, from Modern Roman and Gothic through to Latin, Script and Interlocked.

Creative hand lettering and calligraphy are the newest trends in arts and crafts. Many people across the US are turning to these elegant (and sometimes quirky) art forms as a way to relax and de-stress, while simultaneously nourishing their creativity through a fun new outlet. This comprehensive manual covers the spectrum of what creative letterists and calligraphists need to know, and teaches them how to add their own individual touch to letters, cards, signs, chalkboards, reports, signatures, and much more! This book includes:•An introduction to hand lettering•A glossary of terms•Lettering anatomy•Lettering tools•Composition & hierarchy•Hand lettering process•Chalkboard lettering•Lettering examples•How to draw letters•Practice pages, tutorials, & exercisesStart learning how to write and letter beautifully today with Mastering Hand Lettering!

This book is a hands-on guide to the entire process of making logos and fonts and even icons, all of which, essentially, start with the ability to draw letterforms. The intent of the book, in fact, is to enable the user to end reliance on "OPF" (other people's fonts) and learn to draw your own custom logos, fonts and lettering! Logo, Font & Lettering Bible is unique in that it teaches you how to create logos and fonts from scratch using traditional tools as well as the computer programs Adobe Illustrator and Fontographer (plus a bit about FontLab). The book provides all the traditional rules and tips about letter formation relating to proportion, shaping, balance, spacing, composition and actually teaches five different methods of drawing letters on computer using bezier curves. There has never been a book like this one that goes into so much detail about drawing letters and takes such a fun and irreverent approach while doing so. The book is also full of inspiration and analysis of tons of great examples of vintage and current lettering from old manuscripts to graffiti. Logo, Font & Lettering Bible also shows you how to create fancy drop shadows and other type effects. And finally, the last section provides straight talk on the business of being a logo and font designer, from advertising your work and pricing to dealing with difficult clients (aren't they all?).

In The Lettering Workshops, you’ll learn all about the art and practice of drawing letters using hands-on techniques in 30 lessons across five workshops. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional graphic designer, you'll quickly learn how to develop and advance your lettering skills.

In this richly illustrated book of lessons and exercises, you’ll find:

• 5 Workshops to learn the art of drawing letters—from an introduction to brush lettering and lettering script to the decoration of letters; from the secrets of good composition to the process of digitization and vectorization of your type

• 30 Exercises that gradually develop from beginner through intermediate and advanced levels

• 16 Analyses of lettering samples to understand what makes good lettering

• 52 Inspirational contributions in featured galleries from international letterers and brands

• 160 Pages for all skill levels

• 26 Letters to learn and explore

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Is Lettering?

Why This Book?

First Lesson

Lettering, Calligraphy, or Typography?

Basics and Technical Vocabulary

WORKSHOP 1: DISCOVERING BRUSH LETTERING

Exercise 1: Finding the Right Position

Exercise 2: Setting Up a Grid

Exercise 3: Carrying Out the First Motions

Exercise 4: Drawing the Letters

Exercise 5: Connecting the Letters

Exercise 6: Reworking Your Drafts

Analysis of Lettering Samples

Gallery

WORKSHOP 2: INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPT LETTERING

Exercise 1: Discovering the Skeleton Technique

Exercise 2: Drawing an Alphabet

Exercise 3: Drawing a Complete Word

Exercise 4: Lettering in a Classic Script

Exercise 5: Leaving Your Comfort Zone!

Analysis of Lettering Samples

Gallery

WORKSHOP 3: USING TYPOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS

Exercise 1: Embellishing a Letter

Exercise 2: Practicing on a Complete Word

Exercise 3: Going Further with Vintage Style

Exercise 4: Discovering Interlock

Exercise 5: Practicing Interlock with Serifs

Exercise 6: Producing a Complete Interlock Lettering Project

Analysis of Lettering Samples

Gallery

WORKSHOP 4: THE SECRETS OF GOOD COMPOSITION

Exercise 1: Thinking in Terms of the Block

Exercise 2: Completing the First Sketches

Exercise 3: Choosing the Styles for Each Word

Exercise 4: Drawing the Skeleton

Exercise 5: Developing and Finalizing Your Path

Analysis of Lettering Samples

Gallery

WORKSHOP 5: DIGITIZATION AND VECTORIZATION

Exercise 1: Digitizing and Preparing Your Lettering

Exercise 2: First Steps in Vectorization

Exercise 3: Testing the Vertex Theory

Exercise 4: Vectorizing the Entire Lettering Project

Exercise 5: Critiquing Your Vectorized Lettering Project

Exercise 6: Preparing Your Lettering Project without Vectorization

Exercise 7: Isolating the Lettering

Exercise 8: Adding Texture to the Lettering Project

Exercise 9: Finalizing the Composition

Gallery

Artists Represented in this Book

Resources

This show-all romp through design-world darling Jessica Hische's sketchbook reveals the creative and technical process behind making award-winning hand lettering. See everything, from Hische's rough sketches to her polished finals for major clients such as Wes Anderson, NPR, and Starbucks. The result is a well of inspiration and brass tacks information for designers who want to sketch distinctive letterforms and hone their skills. With more than 250 images of her penciled sketches, this highly visual ebook is an essential—and entirely enjoyable—resource for those who practice or simply appreciate the art of hand lettering.

Lettering, the drawing, designing, and illustration of words, has a personal uniqueness that is increasingly valued in today's digital society, whether personal or professional. This manual, by the internationally renowned Iván Castro, outlines the basic materials and skills to get you started. Typographical concepts and the principles of construction and composition are decoded. In addition, Ivan outlines several practical projects that allow the reader, not just to practice, but to develop their own ideas. In-depth but accessible, this book is the ideal beginner's guide and an excellent reference for the more well versed.

Step-by-step instructions lead readers from beginning to advanced skills, covering both pen and brush lettering. Scores of examples illustrate chapters on italic, gothic, script, and block styles of lettering.