Type Tasting presents
Font Drawing
August’s theme:
Wiggly, wavy, squiggly
ATTEND THE LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP (LIMITED NUMBERS)

Sketch & learn workshop with Sarah Hyndman

What the font’s going on with all things wiggly & wavy right now? From mirrors and candles to letters, where did this come from and what does it mean?

Join Why Fonts Matter author Sarah Hyndman for a 1-hour monthly Font Drawing workshop.

Live session Tuesday 10th August 6.30pm BST, catchup available all month.
Sketch along & learn (with a Spotify playlist).
£5 (free for Patreon Curiosity Club members).

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Go from font faux pas to font confident. Explore a new trend or theme each month. Sketch along as you discover where a type trend came from and why it’s popular right now.

An hourlong session on a new theme will be broadcast each month. You’ll then have access to the recording afterwards so you can take part at a time that suits you.

Have fun getting creative and learn about fonts. You’ll take part in quick sketching exercises and discover the shapes that make each type style unique. You’ll develop your own drawing style and enjoy the creative process without the pressure of creating a perfect or finished piece of work. Whatever your level, from the curious newcomer to the experienced designer, these workshops will supercharge your love of letterforms.

Ideal for designers, students & anybody curious about letterforms, beginners are welcome.

These online sessions are based on the hugely popular in-person workshops and the online Typography Life Drawing sessions that ran in 2020.

Outcomes

• Take a closer look at a current trend or theme and explore where it comes from
• Get creative and messy as you develop your own sketching style 
• Break out of your typographic comfort zone 
• Discover how drawing letterforms helps you to understand typography
• See how typefaces reflect social attitudes and cultural change

Feedback from the 2020 online sessions

“Brilliant format—loved the Spotify playlist too” Dr Geraldine Marshall

“Sarah packs so much information into these fun, bite sized sessions—visual images, sounds, history and further resources; it was way more inspiring than I expected. After every class I’m buzzing with enthusiasm and lots of new ideas!” Kat Gaska

“I was curious about typography but wasn’t sure where to start in learning more. This playful, fast-moving online series was the perfect introduction to some key ideas in the history, use and appreciation of type. Thanks Sarah for your infectious enthusiasm and fun approach to teaching.” Gabby Hoad

“Sarah has created a wonderful and accessible workshop for everyone. Highly recommend if you are looking for anything creative. No experience needed” @wildingdavisandco

Workshop format

In each session I’ll introduce the trend or theme of the month. You’ll be set short sketching exercises so you can explore the shapes of the letterforms and learn about their shapes. As you draw, you’ll be told the stories behind the theme—the history, how it developed or why I think the style’s relevant today. You’ll also get a Spotify playlist for sonic inspiration as you draw.

Materials

For the full list of tools, paper and setup suggestions click here.

Your host

Hello I’m Sarah Hyndman. I’m the author of the bestselling book ‘Why Fonts Matter’ and ‘How to Draw Type and Influence People’. Watch my talk at Adobe MAX in 2020, listen to me chatting to Michael Rosen on BBC Radio 4's Word of Mouth, or watch my TEDx talk.

Teaching experience

I’ve been creating live online Zoom events and workshops since April 2020. Just like my in-person events they’re interactive, fun, packed with games and demonstrations and often have a dash of theatre. I’ve been joined by participants from around the world and in 2020/21 nearly 10,000 people joined me.

I taught the yearlong Experimental Typography CMP course at the London College of Communication (University of the Arts London) for six years. I’ve delivered bespoke workshops for D&AD, I’m also a judge for their New Blood and professional awards.

I created a week-long typography course for students at Ecole Intuit Lab, Mumbai, India and have since run online sessions for the students. I’m a guest tutor for colleges both in the UK and abroad. These include Birmingham City University, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), Portland State University, RMIT Melbourne, Shillington London, Stevenson University USA, University of the Arts London and VIA University College Denmark.

I’ve created mass participation events for Design Thinkers Toronto, Pick Me Up at Somerset House, the Victoria and Albert Museum, We Love Graphic Design in Copenhagen and Wellcome.

Visit the main Font Drawing page

Photo of Sarah by Julianna Johnston