Sketches

A non-designer coworker remarked today that she enjoys seeing the entire design process — the transformation an image or layout makes through its journey to the final product.

How fitting that I should stumble upon these early sketches of famous cartoon characters while reading my design blogs this evening. Isn’t it so interesting to see the behind-the-scenes work and how each image evolved into what we know today?

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The Art of Writing

Last Friday, I took my first calligraphy class since I was a kid. It was fascinating to see all of the work that goes into drawing a single letter. Three hours into the class, I finally started to understand the importance of holding the pen at a precise angle, applying just the right amount of pressure, and carefully connecting each stroke. I already do some hand-lettering in my work, but have always wanted to learn the fundamentals, so this class was definitely helpful.

Today, this video popped up in my inbox, and I just had to share. Maybe with a few (hundred) years of practice, I will be this talented someday!

 

Legacy of Letters from Luca Barcellona on Vimeo.

Tags | typography

Handmade

Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge recently wrote a great piece on the value of handmade work. She articulated precisely why handmade items cost more, and why they should. It’s an important read for anyone trying to accurately price their work.

Side story: Grace and I both worked for the same tiny magazine as our first jobs out of college (our boss was the one who introduced me to Design*Sponge when Grace had just started it). When I had the pleasure of meeting her a few months ago at her book signing, we briefly chatted about this, and it was like my design life had come full circle :)

 

Image: Custom Address Stamp

Tags | handmade