Illustrate the Alphabet
We deliver thought-provoking, theoretical and conceptual information each session, but an important part of building your skills involves doing. Every Session you’re invited to take part in a community project, and in so doing build your skills. Regardless of your experience level, it’s a great chance to expand your portfolio, and get feedback from your peers.
Post Your Projects in the Comments Below
Take the knowledge that you gain throughout this session and apply what you learn. Post your project in the comments below. We’ve set up the comments so that image URLs can be added. Be sure to leave your thoughts and insightful critique of the work posted, which will help everyone improve their work.
We’ll be selecting a handful of prominent projects to promote in our final day Session Wrap, so be sure to submit your project before May 25th for consideration.
Project Brief
In this session’s project the brief is to illustrate the alphabet, that’s right draw the letters A-Z. The focus here isn’t necessarily to create a working font, as that would take month’s worth of work getting the letters kerned and working perfectly. Instead, we’re focusing on illustrating letters. There is no limit in media you could use to create your letters with, whether it’s hand crafted or digital. Keep in mind though that you want to stylistically or thematically unify your alphabet. Let’s get to it!
If you aren’t keen on constructing a complete alphabet, then feel free to spend extra time illustrating just one letter, which is a great start. Or draw the same letter in different styles on a page – also a great experiment. Don’t let the length of the brief stop you from participating. All levels of artists are encouraged to participate.
Style and Format
There is no limit in style. We look forward to seeing a wide mix of approaches. Here are some possibilities though:
- You could paint the letters A-Z and just scan them in.
- Draw a set and then finalize them as vector’s in Illustrator.
- Pull out your Wacom and paint some letters in Photoshop.
- Use found elements to put together an alphabet and then photograph the results.
- Create 3D letter sculptures by hand or in a 3D program.
Final format on this project is really open. We’d like to see final art as 600 pixel wide JPG or larger though. Also, include a description of your letters, and the theme and style that holds them together. Keep in mind as well that creating unique lettering can serve as a great source when your creating your own illustrations. They can add just that right flare to your work.
Skill Building
Not only does this project build your skills with crafting letters, refining your process, and mastering your craft, but it will get you thinking about how letters work together, and how to build a stylistically cohesive set. What lettering style fits your illustrative personality? What themes would you like to create a set of letters to?
Inspiration
We’ll be posting quite a bit of inspirational lettering material in this session, but a handful of examples to wet your appetite are always helpful. For some hand crafted A-Z inspiration check out Watercolor Typography, Sasha Prood. Another strategy with creating letters can be to organize objects and photograph them, such as these vegtable letters from Jimmy Smith. Or check out this creative set of illustrative letters created by three illustrators Irena Zablotska, Eugene Rudyy, and Keepa.
Feedback and Positive Criticism
It’s just as important to leave helpful tips, suggestions, and positive feedback for your peers’ work, as it is to complete the assigned project. We’re looking to create something much like in illustration or design class, where you post your work up on a board (in this case, the comments are the board) and everyone can critique the work.
Keep in mind that professional decorum, insightful opinions, and positive suggestions will be appreciated by all. Now let’s get to work on illustrating alphabet, and post some work for review below.
I’m looking forward to tucking into this one.
lock and load
I am so looking forward to this one!
Here’s my font! There are some minor wobbly curves and edges that can be tightened up but overall I’m satisfied with it!
http://beta10.behance.net/JPatterson/Frame/514707
I really enjoyed the colors that you decided to use for the font. I do like the strokes of the font, reminds me of cursive and a mixture of something else. I do feel as though you can do more with the font, but so far, it is really good. I like it a lot.
Thanks for the observations and recommendations! I agree, it’s a good starting point. The second time around will be much improved!
Shoe Laces Type -
http://imgur.com/nprgk.jpg
That’s really creative! I like it a lot actually, I would never think to use shoe laces for text.
Thanks! It’s amazing what you can think of at 2AM with sleep-deprivation
oh, this is really awesome!
What a promising looking session. Good timing too as Computer Arts Projects (UK) have just bought out a ‘Become a master of Typography’ issue for June
Loving the laces idea, in college we had a live project to create a magazine in 2 editorial teams. One of the teams re-created the front-page of the magazine with a retro feel, spelling out the name with an un-ravelled cassette tape, looked awesome, and of the same ilk. Love it
Hi, just wanted to say that this looks really good
Metal font-
http://i.imgur.com/0y1i9.jpg
Nice. That’s different.
ill be posting my work too here soon
I was given a similar assignment last year! I ended up just sketching the alphabet and tracing it on Illustrator, so this time I’ve tried to be a little more creative.
http://fantasticspaceship.deviantart.com/art/Paper-Typography-164712594
I really love this. A little sloppy, but still a cool font.
This is a great topic and even better timing for me. I have been working on designs for Tees with somewhat inspirational words. This is my most finished design,please tell me what you think
[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/raelynsmi/grow.jpg[/IMG]
Here is the link I hope
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1790/growq.jpg
The concept is great!
In regards to execution, I think the connecting points could be refined a bit more
I know this is only AB&C, but I thought i would throw it out there and see what people thought before I did the whole alphabet!
Where’s the image?
Sorry, I havent figured out attaching an image to my comments yet, I thought I knew how, but I guess I dont! Here is the link.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7707/typef.jpg
Awesome. Looks like a paper made from concrete. Love the idea.
I can’t figure it out either, but will keep trying:) Your letters are great, even though they are stationary, it feels as if they are going to unfold and transform.
Very cool! Good execution as well.
Lovely work Luke !
Keep it on !
5
it’s like it’s simple, but it isn’t… in a good way
I created this alphabet using oil and vinegar:
see more detailed photos and some making of shots here:
http://www.mazed.de/gestaltet/ein-alphabet-aus-essig-und-ol/
Ah man, this is great!
That’s great. Amazing idea.
I use this link to translate your article to english.
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazed.de%2Fgestaltet%2Fein-alphabet-aus-essig-und-ol%2F&sl=de&tl=en
Excellent. I’m shocked.
This is great, so cool, I will never thought to have done this.
My attempt
I move panels in Photoshop and come up with this. In the process, I learn that if we hold Ctrl while moving panel close to another panel, it will not snap.
No editing in Photoshop, just screen capture.
Thats Awesome!!! Great Idea!
hehe cool idea
Hello,
I luv types, especially the real ones, I mean organic ones.
I’m ready soon to finish a special type project… Hairy Type Alphabet
I made mini projects concerning this idea. :
http://work.5ive.biz/#245403/Happy-New-Hair
Enjoy !
i like the hair type!
I enjoy this a lot. Not only is it cool but it also funny.
Very nice idea. Do you use some hair spray to strengthen hair’s shape?
Hei Jeprie !
Thanks for your feedback !
Hmm yes you discovered one of my secret ingredients hahaha
)
Another kind of “organic” type I luv to prepare.
(not a really type but more a lettering one)
Check the link for more pictures…
http://work.5ive.biz/#245353/Best-wishes-2010
enjoy !
It is really cool
Sidenote, why is this page so wide? Makes it hard to navigate.
I drew each of these letters individually in my sketchbook. Afterwards, I scanned them in and colored them digitally. Final pattern is full vector art.
Some of the letter remind me of the show Ahh! Real Monsters and others remind me of wallpaper that I would see in someone’s house. I do enjoy this font a lot and I like the fact that you sketch them out.
Here is another idea. My son is going to be born in Aug, so thinking of a baby boy was my inspiration.
Luke
This is really nice, I love it!
As I keep reading the articles, I get more inspired. Here is another one.
[http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8843/typey.jpg]
As I keep reading the articles, I get more inspired. Here is another one.
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8843/typey.jpg
Nice. Very creative.
Do you have a website? I’d like to see more of your work.
Cotton Type
These are the letters I have created.
I aimed to draw an elegant-calligraphic typeface. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be!
But a lot of fun, nonetheless.
Antal
I’ve always liked letters best when they connect in words, and make you feel something when you read the words they make..Here’s a simple, eclectic alphabet, (and myself going on a bit of a tangent) with the upgraded quick brown fox..my alphadoodle, if you will..
Nice work. I love it.
Those are some of my works before I had read articles. Now I’m very inspired to make much more.
You can follow what I’m doing on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomapril/ . Cheers and have fun with type.
coool works Tomek !!
Here’s my attempt. http://www.flickr.com/photos/avelendapixel8/4664300912/sizes/l/. This was a fun way to spend my downtime.
I had a school project. I used also Turkish letters.
Objects are small metal objects or white plastic.
I used Canon450D and a table lamp.
I made an alphabet photographing bicycle parts.
Heres a typographic piece i recently created. Its slightly 80’s inspired by i wanted it to look slightly modern. I’ll be adding more so enjoy
Sorry forgot to attach the image. Alex
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stop-campaign/4829566844/