Vintage Lettering: Custom Compositions From Scratch

Begin by getting to know Mark, an Italian-Dutch lettering artist, type designer, and your teacher for this course. Hear about his creative journey, which led him to a full-time freelancing career in Berlin. He shares his biggest influences and his sources of inspiration.

Get an overview of the materials needed, and hear Mark’s recommendations on what to use. Next, delve into the art of lettering by exploring typographic looks and styles. Deepen your understanding of typography as Mark walks you through the basics and most important design elements. Then, start sketching your first typographic compositions.

Explore typographic references and create a mood board for inspiration. Decide on the quote you want to sketch and create the initial thumbnails by hand. Then it's time to digitize your favorite sketch, and draw the lettering skeleton in Procreate. Mark then guides you through the process of giving your composition shapes, flourishes, and swirls.

Finalize your design by exploring elements like styling, contrast, and weight. Learn the stages involved in refining your composition, like checking for consistency in spacing, style, and contrast. Complete your design by retracing it and generating a clean version of the composition.

Prepare your work to be shared with the world by adding the finishing touches including effects, colors, and embellishments. Establish your vintage aesthetic by adding final texture and grain in Photoshop before formatting and exporting your piece for social media or your portfolio.