Cora Pearl

The elements of design are the ingredients we use to create art. The principles of design are how we use those ingredients. In this workshop, we will study seven elements of design as they pertain to lettering art: line, texture, shape, value, form, color, and space. For each element we will look at calligraphic examples illustrating the use of the element, and we will do exercises and projects to explore each one. In the exploration of understanding the elements as they relate to design, our goal will be to become more aware and articulate about the use of them in our own artwork and in the art we see from others, as well as becoming more fluent in the language of design. Along the way, we will learn a few new scripts and will work with a variety of tools and materials. We will also focus on understanding our creative archetype, developing a personal design process, and getting an initial familiarity of the principles of design. The final project will be a personal “textbook” including many handouts, practice pages, sketches, and the projects, all put together in a binder that can be used and added to for years to come. This workshop is ideal for students who have never formally studied design, for students who have good lettering skills but don’t quite know what to do with them, for students who tend to feel stuck when it comes to design, and for intermediate students of calligraphy and hand lettering who are ready to take their design skills to the next level.