I enjoy computers. A lot. But there’s some times where it just feels good to write, not type. The act of writing feels natural. It’s also a bit thrilling now. To write a letter to someone, to decipher handwriting, to smell the ink. My best friend and I write about two letters back and forth to each other year. Yes, it’s much easier to send a text, email, or call. But when someone takes the time to write me a couple pages, you can tell they mean business. Plus there’s something so nice about digging through an old box to read letters. It just feels good.

Anyway, I like handwriting. I love seeing the differences in people’s y’s, a’s, and how they form their e’s. I totally nerd out on research around how your handwriting says certain things about your personality, how you work, what makes you tick. I guess the fact that I was so into this, lead me to have a real affinity to fonts.

Since I was a kid, I have been comfortable spending hours drawing out letters. Fat, skinny, bubble, flowery, I’ve doodled it all. It’s soothing to me, and working through the puzzle of how the next letter should lay next to the one before is totally exciting. One day, not too long ago, I found myself doodling again in the large conference room. This is the product:

Shortly after the meeting, Keith and Mike Ma suggested I make this into a font. It’s totally something I have always wanted to do, and have never figured out how to start. Well, dear friends, it’s time I start.

After a few ultra-nerdy conversations during Toad Hall Monday a few weeks back, I left with my first to-do’s. Read “The Elements of Typographic Style” and watch the documentary on Helvetica. Knowing that I have an 8 hour plane ride ahead of me this Sunday, I’ll be heading to the bookstore this weekend to get things going.

I’ll be sure to post progress as I bring my new font to life, but if anyone has other suggestions to get things started, hit me up!