One thing my college professors constantly harped on was the importance sketching. A project wasn't complete unless we turned in thumbnail sketches for it too. I hated doing them. I naively thought my first idea was always the winner and I wanted to get it started on the computer right away. But over the years, I realized the necessity of those little thumbnails and sketching is now a crucial part of my process.
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6 Things You Need to Know About Lettering
I've been writing weekly blog posts for almost a year now (go me!). I've covered everything from lettering inspiration to freelance tips, with some great interviews thrown in as well. If you're interested in learning hand lettering, check out this roundup of the most important things you need to know.
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An Art Director's Guide to Landing Editorial Work
I am in a unique situation where I have the perspective of a freelancer and an editorial art director. I know what freelancers are thinking when marketing themselves, and I know what makes an impression on art directors. Here's how to pitch yourself to publications...from an art director who works at one.
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RVA Q+A: Sarah Apple
Sarah Apple, of Lucky Signs, has a unique style that blends both illustration and lettering. You may have seen her chalk lettering popping up more and more in local Richmond eateries. Keep reading to find out about her path to lettering, how she refined her chalk skills through a restaurant gig and what inspires her kitschy illustration style.
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In the Thick (and Thin) of It
One of the most common mistakes in lettering is found within most styles of contrasted type: where people use thick and thin strokes. It's a dead giveaway showing that you don't truly understand typography. If the stroke weight isn't in the right places, your lettering will feel unbalanced. The main culprit (and my biggest pet peeve) is the capital A.
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