IAMPETH 2024 - Measure Twice, Write Once - Layout & Design for the Calligrapher - Tamara Stoneburner

Class Overview - Beginner

Much of the hard work outlaid for any project happens well before putting ink to paper. It occurs during the pencil phase and is heavily responsible for the visual success of a piece. One can strive for technically excellent lettering, sure, but this is not enough to carry an artwork solely. One needs to know how to handle and arrange the lettering within any given space to fulfill its purpose properly and in a considered manner, whether it is for a certificate, a book inscription, a chart, or rendering poetry or lyrics for formal or personal usage. Layout & Design must be thoroughly worked through and planned first and foremost. Layout involves architecting space: creating a blueprint by determining margins, letter size, line lengths, interlinear spacing, and the hierarchy of elements from titles, subtext and subheadings, main body text and content, to the inclusion of graphics such as borders, logos, symbols, et cetera. Design is fleshing out the layout with an aesthetic personality: placing the elements of a layout in such a way as to harmonize and interact with one another within a space with no competition. Design emphasizes the visual focus of a piece for maximum impact, connection, and attention. What kind of colors, direction for the eye to follow, and graphic treatments are needed? This will be the deepdive philosophy and agenda for this class: to further your lettering in becoming better presented.

CLASS SUPPLIES
• Pencil (PL21)
• 9”x12” Borden & Riley marker pad (P09-50, P32, P203)
• 12” ruler (S270)

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
• T-square (S753)