ARCHITECTURAL LETTERING

How to Write Like an Architect

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30X40 Design Workshop © 2023

 Kuru Toga Tombow Mono Zero
HOW TO WRITE LIKE AN ARCHITECT 0.5 mm mechanical pencil Click Eraser
0.5mm HB lead

Essential Tools
Our handwriting is an extension of our personal visual style and even though much of
our work is done digitally, architects still communicate through our sketches +
annotations. Text can be a strong graphic compositional element in our work too so
developing a handwriting style which complements your line work is a worthy
investment for any creative.

FAVORITE WRITING IMPLEMENTS + ACCESSORIES:

Pencil – Kuru Toga (rotates the tip as you write, always sharp!)

Tombow Click Eraser (square tip for precision erasing)

Bellroy Pencil Case (end loops make easy carrying, stays open on the desk

30X40 Design Workshop © 2023

 HOW TO WRITE LIKE AN ARCHITECT

Ink
Pen – Sharpie Ultra Fine Point
Pentel Sign Pen
Pencil – Kuru Toga Felt tip marker (broad nib)
Black
Felt tip pen - Pentel Sign Pen

Bellroy Pencil Case

Sharpie Ultra Fine Point

Felt tip marker ( ne nib)
Black

Bellroy Pencil Case

Gelly Roll 08
Sakura

30X40 Design Workshop © 2023

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HOW TO WRITE LIKE AN ARCHITECT

Media Options
I recommend starting with a roll of tracing paper which is very
similar to the ‘onion skin’ animators historically used for character
animation. Architects use ‘trace’ every day in the studio for
sketching iterations of design ideas relatively quickly without having
to redraw the base drawing each time. For writing exercises
translucent media allows you to easily see the letterforms below.

• Roll of Trace - 12” X 50YD

• Lettering Worksheets (see download)

• iPad (I like Procreate)

• Sketchbook - great for practicing.

BLANK sketchbook

Procreate / iPad Bienfang White Trace

30X40 Design Workshop © 2023

HOW TO WRITE LIKE AN ARCHITECT

Style Characteristics
1. Strive for legible, clear + consistent letterforms.

2. Begin at the top of the letterform with a

downstroke. Downstroke rst Verticals

3. Use uppercase only.

4. Vertical strokes should be vertical + horizontal Slight upward tilt

strokes should have a slight upward tilt.

5. Overlap lines slightly at corners. This forms a

precise letter + helps with speed.
Overlap corners
6. Use the third points to locate horizontal
intersections. 1/3 points

Practice, (Practice, Practice):

1. Always use guidelines when practicing: printed
underlays (or) construct your own.
Square Proportions
2. Start small: space guidelines between 1/8” -
3/16” for best results.

3. Begin at the top of the letterform, use down

strokes to create the verticals rst.

4. Continue to horizontals next, imparting a slight

upward angle where appropriate.

5. Proportions should be (roughly) square.

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2023
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Additional Resources
Thanks for downloading the worksheets, I hope they help you to develop your own
architectural handwriting style.

For a peek inside my architecture studio and to learn more about the life and tools of
an architect be sure to check out the links below.

Architectural Resources
• Tutorials
• Studio tour
• Tools + techniques
• Video + blog post links
• Favorite architecture books, monographs + references texts

Digital Drawing Templates

• My custom drawing templates
• Ready to use styling
• Revit 2019 + AutoCAD versions available

Startup Toolkit
• All the tools I use to run 30X40 Design Workshop
• Templates, swipe les, checklists, documents
• Start your design practice with the right foundation

30X40’s Procreate Pack

• Custom grids
• Custom brushes
• Custom color palettes
• Custom canvases

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30X40 Design Workshop © 2023
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 EVERYDAY CARRY

Architect’s EDC
For more of my everyday carry, including bags, sketchbooks, and gear my blog:
30X40 Design Workshop has all the details.

My Kit + EDC
• Pens, pencils, markers
• Studio supplies
• Of ce tech
• Personal effects

Sketchbooks
• TRACE translucent vellum Sketchbook
• BLANK Sketchbook

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EDC DesignPost
Workshop © 2023
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