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Let's Learn About Architectural Lettering If You Want To be A Designer


First Lesson In Design Class: Learn How To Write Architectural Lettering
If you think the first lesson in design class is something about design theory/ philosophy or probably some sketching, you are definitely wrong!
If you want to be a designer or architect, your handwriting couldn't be sucks! 
First of all, practice your handwriting, not freehand writing, but architectural lettering.
Eventhough our drawings nowadays depend on AutoCad and some other softwares, in the past designers were drawing manually and therefore neat handwriting is crucial.

Maybe You Will Be wondering: What Is An Architectural lettering?
It is expected as a designer or architect that all blueprints, drawings and designs have architectural lettering.
This lettering was established ages ago by architects so that all writing on blueprints were legible therefore costly mistakes would not be made.
Practicing this lettering is still a necessary part of the curriculum in most architecture and design education, because it is still a necessary part of the job.
Bad handwriting tends to make any design look amateur. All handwriting should match the quality of the design.
Practice is necessary to develop the skills needed to letter legibly. Just as each individual has a unique handwriting, they will also have a unique lettering style. 
Architectural lettering has an animated quality while appearing very uniform and neat. 

Important Points To Remember:
· Use light guidelines drawn with a 2H pencil.
· Always use a straight edge to draw the vertical lines for the letters.
· Letters are written in all caps.
· Letters should all be the same width.
· Lettering can be written by using various size of technical pen.

Examples of Architectural Lettering:



Here is a tutorial video from architect Doug Patt: "How to Write Like an Architect."


-End of chapter-

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