Aline Kaori - Calligraphy & Lettering - Mindful Script Lettering Process

This lettering was created as my project for Martina Flor's Skillshare class called "The Golden Secrets of Script Lettering".

The assignment was to develop a lettering piece based on our own handwriting as a starting point.

I decided to keep it short and simple on Behance, but you can check a more in-depth process description here.

Step 1 - Handwriting Variations

The first step was to choose a word and write it repeatedly, exploring variations in letterforms, flourishing, slant, rhythm and proportions, while also experimenting with different tools.

I chose the word "Mindful" for its resonation with me and my practice, and let my hand loose in exploring countless variations; first with a pencil, then with broad-edged and brush pens, using them more as quick handwriting tools than properly calligraphic ones. The process is as messy and fun as process can be ;)

Step 2 - Selection and Critique

Upon visualizing the many variations, it was then time to select and critique, so as to decide which one best expressed the mindfulness meaning I was going for. To narrow my choices, I kept on marking the most proeminent ones and comparing them, until I ultimately decided on a look and feel. Still, I saved all the unselected for future reference, as they had elements that could be used in the next steps.

Besides the annotations on top of the selected piece, I also listed improvements to be made and possibilities to experiment with in the next step. Registering these self-critique sessions is great for starting the sketching part already knowing what to focus on.

Step 3 - Sketching Layers

On to the sketching part, the task was to fix the issues previously signaled while adding weight and testing flourishing possibilities by using layers of tracing paper built on top of the selected handwriting sample.

The sequence of iterations are showcased below:

Step 4 - Digitizing

The last but (definitely) not least step, was digitizing. To me, it's by far the most time-consuming, detail-obsessing part.

Again, I had previously left ready a list of what to improve from the last step to this one. I brought the sketch onto Adobe Illustrator, made the baseline and x-height guidelines, and sweated over those beziers.

The background/lettering combination of the final piece brings about this sense of mystery and classiness, while expressing the simplicity, calmness, focus and lightness that mindfulness is all about. It is a pause, a moment of contemplation in which you let your eyes be lead by the gentle curves and the flourishes, wandering through the letterforms, back and forth.

Again, even after the final piece I still have a short list of improvements to be made. But perfectionism needs a limit, otherwise it would never cease and I would never get this piece finished for the two-week challenge of this project. I might tweak it later, but as for now it's finished. I'll take that list with me as a learning process note, and apply the knowledge I gained with this project in improving the next ones ;-)

Thanks for reading through!
Feedback is always welcome in the comments, and if you liked this project, please hit the 'Appreciate' button below! :)