This project explores hand lettering as a way to represent the meaning of words through the design and arrangement of the letters. The piece centers on an inspirational proverb, “Judge not, for everyone has a story to tell,” using typography to reinforce its powerful message of empathy and openness.
Translate the tone of the statement into a set of typographic compositions, using letterform, weight and arrangement to express nuance and emotional range rather than relying on illustration.
The work began with hand-drawn sketches exploring different lettering styles, from controlled pencil forms to more expressive brush and ink marks. Each approach tested how variation in line quality and structure could shift the tone of the message.
Selected sketches were digitized and refined in Adobe Illustrator, where the compositions were further developed through scale, spacing and hierarchy. Three distinct layouts emerged, each emphasizing a different reading of the statement.
Color was applied to differentiate the compositions and extend their emotional range, with each palette reinforcing the character of its respective layout.
