Post · November 25, 2023

Shaping the Future Poster — Handmade Type

Kantrowitz, S. (n.d.). Shaping the Future Poster – Handmade Type. Retrieved from https://teachingresource.aiga.org/project/shaping-the-future-poster-handmade-type/

PROJECT BRIEF

Custom hand-drawn type is a tough skill to master, but you only get better at with time and practice. Hand-drawn lettering is unique from a “typeface” because it has custom forms that couldn’t result from just typing out letters on your keyboard. Some OpenType fonts have so many ligature options that they can look close to hand lettering, but nothing is like true hand lettering.

Your first assignment is to create a poster that shares your vision of the future with hand-drawn/hand-made lettering within the piece. The poster can be a warning, a call-to-action, a rally call, a protest piece…Your poster should communicate your idea for the future, the future you want for the next generations. It is your chance as a creative to let your voice be heard as the future is defined by our actions today.

Your poster can focus on equal access to water and food, climate change, or basic human rights. It’s your future vision, and the focus is up to you.

You can start with hand lettering and then refine it on the computer. It is also okay to start by setting the type on the computer and then exaggerating those letters by hand. However, your process needs to focus on drawing letters, and that aspect of the process should attempt to add a quality that a standard typeface cannot provide.

I encourage you to think about the proper lettering for your chosen content, then set the words/phrase/lyrics in various typefaces you think might be appropriate. Identify the elements you think are particularly fitting and run with them. How can you exaggerate those forms in a unique and appropriate way? Alternatively, you might consider drawing letters from scratch without basing them on existing type to see where it takes you.

The ultimate objectives are to get some experience with type—off of the computer—to fit your specific needs so that you aren’t always relying on finding the perfect typeface for your projects but repurposing more basic type to your needs…and to hopefully come out of it with a self-contained portfolio piece.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

utilize the design process: ideation (sketchbook), research/inspiration, thumbnails, roughs, comps, final
appropriateness of digital type versus hand-drawn/hand-made type
how to choose proper lettering based on content
gain experience with hand-drawn/hand-made type

DELIVERABLES

FINAL SPECS Digital Poster with hand-drawn lettering elements scanned in and digitally enhanced, 24\”x36\” (printed at 50%). MOUNTING: Please mount either with a 1\” border on all sides or flush mount to BLACK MAT BOARD ONLY.

READINGS/RESOURCES

Type resources (approved quality): http://www.fontsquirrel.com, https://www.hypefortype.com/browse-fonts/free.html, http://artimasa.com/#filter=.freebies, http://www.thenorthernblock.co.uk/fonts/free, https://edgewebfonts.adobe.com, http://www.jeffreyschreiber.nl, https://www.smashingmagazine.com/tag/free-fonts/, http://www.typedepot.com/fonts/, http://www.typetype.ru/free-fonts/, (not free but very inexpensive) http://tenbytwenty.com/?xxxxtags=fonts, https://fonts.google.com. https://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com, https://typekit.com/