Learn the history and techniques of hand lettering from a renowned design studio. This practical and visual guide features exercises, case studies, and typographic models for letter styles such as serif, sans serif, brush, and script. Known throughout the world for its eclectic typeface collections and far-reaching creative exploits, from fonts and fashion to ceramics and space technology, House Industries has been a standard bearer for American graphic design for more than twenty-five years. The House Industries Lettering Manual is an accessible hands-on guide to drawing letters from Ken Barber, House's head letterer and type design director. Modeled after a series of sold-out lettering workshops that Ken has conducted around the world, this highly illustrated handbook outlines the history of lettering, various methods and techniques, common letter styles, and best practices for getting paid for your work. This handy how-to guide also provides lettering models to help sharpen your drawing skills and offer departure points for further experimentation. Designed by House Industries and including copious examples, exercises, and opportunities to practice what you've learned, plus photographs of works-in-progress and finished projects, this instructive and visually engaging book will help you master the dynamic art of lettering, whether you're a budding artist or an experienced designer.

CD-ROM contains: "five original fonts ... created exclusively for this book plus a few ... sound bites."

A standard-bearer of American design since 1993, House Industries answers the burning question, “Where do you find inspiration?” with this illustrative collection of helpful lessons, stories, and case studies that demonstrate how to transform obsessive curiosity into personally satisfying and successful work. Presented in House’s honest, authentic, and often irreverent style, and covering topics ranging from fonts and fashion to ceramics and space technology, this beautifully useful 400–page volume offers a personal perspective on the origin of ideas for creative people in any field. Most important, this book shows that there’s no sense in waiting for inspiration because inspiration is already waiting for you.

There was a time, as recently as the 1980s, when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape. Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade. In 2010 filmmakers Faythe Levine, coauthor of Handmade Nation, and Sam Macon began documenting these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States. With a foreword by legendary artist (and former sign painter) Ed Ruscha, this vibrant book profiles sign painters young and old, from the new vanguard working solo to collaborative shops such as San Francisco s New Bohemia Signs and New York s Colossal Media s Sky High Murals.

Typography is always one of the designer's first considerations when it comes to making a statement, and in recent years the world of lettering and type has exploded in an unprecedented wave of creative discovery. Contemporary artists, typesetters, and designers of all kinds are exploring new horizons in illustrated and hand-drawn lettering, digitally rendered lettering, and 3D lettering. This collection—large in scope but petite in size—surveys the recent lettering renaissance, showcasing a diverse range of talent in gorgeous, eye-catching examples and profiling today's innovators. In a stunning little package that expertly combines a handmade feel with a modern aesthetic, this is the ultimate inspirational collection of contemporary lettering for design buffs and type enthusiasts alike.

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.

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

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