Lettering Names In 100 Days
During a trip to Tokyo we shopped at Muji, a chain of home goods stores. The stores are divided into sections for furniture, kitchen, bathroom, clothing and home office. In the office section I saw a captivating selection of products: pens, notebooks, binders, organizers, etc. I wanted it all. When we got home I unpacked all the things I bought then unceremoniously stuffed them into a drawer. A few months later I found a reason to use the pens, fluorescent highlighters, and newsprint notepads I bought. I decided to hand letter 100 names because an online event was kicking off: the first 100 Days Project. It challenges a participant to develop and foster a daily routine for 100 days through a creative pursuit.
My plan was to letter everyday the name of one family member, friend or acquaintance. I had a general design direction from my meeting notes. During boring office meetings I wrote names of attendees to stay awake. I wrote names with a ballpoint pen on a ruled spiral bound notepad. At home I tested the Muji pens on a sheet of paper from a Muji newsprint notepad. The pen tips were very small so ink didn’t run out of the pen. The newsprint absorbed ink. No bleeding.
Each name was made with two colors of ink. I embellished names with dots, circles, squiggles, wavey lines, drops and drips, and geometric forms.
The daily practice became a meditative experience and a routine. It became a point of contact with people I hadn’t personally interacted with for years. When the event officially concluded I drew 150 names. I exceeded my goal! I asked each person whose name I drew if they wanted the finished piece. Most did. A few people sent pictures of their names framed or prominently displayed.
In 100 days my daily practice became a point of personal connection.
Today I incorporate elements of this type of lettering in my illustration practice. I use this style of lettering to address envelopes and create graphics to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.
Tools I used:
Color Pencils
Iridicent Silver Ink Pen
Muji Pen
A page of ruled paper I ripped from a random notebook I had laying around.
Below, a sample of names I drew during the 100 days project.
