Introduction to Custom Lettering

Start by getting to know your teacher Cyla Costa, who tells you about her professional experience as a lettering artist and her biggest influences. Cyla explains the difference between lettering, calligraphy, and typography, and describes the project you’ll be working on throughout the course.

Discover different types of lettering and the importance of having a critical eye so you know what good lettering should look like. Learn about the purpose of calligraphy and study the skeletal frames used for designing letters. Wrap up the theory with a lesson on designing simple letters using layered structures.

It’s time to get to work! Create a mood board with references for your lettering project. Draw your first sketches on a small scale to try out different compositions. Then, with some help from Cyla, continue to elaborate on your designs and tweak them until you have a final version and your own signature lettering style.

Scan and vectorize your project in Adobe Illustrator. Discover how to create a color palette, add textures, and put the final touches on your creation in Adobe Photoshop. Lastly, Cyla shares some tips on how to present and publish your custom lettering project on social media.