Abstract:

My objective in teaching calligraphy is to instill in my students a passion for the inherent beauty and integrity of letterforms, an understanding of history, terminology, structure and proportional relationships, and a highly developed sensitivity to the selection and application of alphabet designs for effective and powerful communication.

Over the years, I have tried many methods of introducing letterform design. I have found that introducing calligraphy in my typography courses has been the most successful and interactive way to reinforce fundamentals and to develop a high level of typographic sensitivity. Calligraphy is a rewarding and meaningful skill that reinforces lessons learned in typography lectures and demonstrations.

Drawing letters is an interactive, physical experience in which students learn proportions, stroke sequences, anatomy, and letter, word, and line spacing without even realizing it. Students see letters as beautiful and functional symbols that have artistic and expressive potential. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the systematic nature of typographic design. They see letters as physical forms and not just as shapes on a screen or a page.

Although today’s students have little experience in drawing letters, I have found that they LOVE working with their hands. In fact, they CRAVE it. In addition to the change of pace drawing by hand provides, I believe the current trends in calligraphy and expressive lettering represent a human need for personal, unique and expressive communication that is difficult to achieve exclusively through digital media.

This presentation will include examples of student projects done in my calligraphy and typography courses.

Keywords:

Writing, Reading, Comprehension, Digital, Analog, Millennials, Calligraphy, Handwriting, Communication.