Introduction to Lettering

with Ken Barber

Lettering has become an increasingly marketable, if not essential, skill for artists working in design and advertising. The warmth and personality of hand-drawn letterforms can hardly be matched by off-the-shelf fonts. In this workshop, attendees will learn how to get the most out of lettering in a variety of applications.

Participants will begin by gaining a solid basis in the main principles that make for successful lettering. Referring to familiar typographic models and helpful specimens, students will then learn how to customize letterforms as they draw their own logos and wordmarks. Comprehensive slide presentations, informative sketching demonstrations, skill-building exercises, professional case studies, and valuable one-on-one critiques will provide further guidance as attendees acquire a practical foundation for implementing one-of-a-kind lettering in numerous design contexts.

Instruction will focus on developing fundamental hand skills, primarily by means of manual pencil-drawing techniques. Open to students of all skill levels.

Required Materials

• No.2 pencils (conventional or mechanical)
• pencil sharpener (if applicable)
• erasers (conventional and kneaded)
• pad of tracing paper (9″×12″ pad is recommended)
• pad of quadrille 4×4 grid/graph paper (9″×12″ pad, 4 squares per linear inch is recommended)
• 12 inch ruler
• Sharpie® Fine and Extra Fine markers
• white-out correction fluid pen
• adhesive tape (for posting sketches)

Registration for this class opens on January 4, 2023.

This class meets on campus! We're excited to welcome students to campus again! Please bring your proof of vaccination and government issued ID card to show guards upon entry. We follow Cooper Union's Covid precautions and currently have a mask optional policy.

Class size is limited.

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