By Maryam Hosseinnia

Today, James Clough gave an amazing lecture on the history of Roman type, it’s origin and development, followed by an afternoon session of hands on lettering workshop.

We looked at various inscriptions, the development of capital letters, the subtle differences within the thin and think strokes of Roman lettering. We learned that the form of Roman alphabets–the Trajan style–derived from use of a flat brush and not the use of geometry. Without an exaggeration, the morning lecture was equivalent of a semester long course on the history of typography. It was extremely inspiring and mind blowing session.

After a short break, we resumed the workshop, tracing letters to gain an understanding of consistent proportions and distribution of the thick and thin relationship of the strokes.

Type is taken for granted, we see letters everyday, but first we need to appreciate the letters through it’s purpose and history and then to show its beauty through careful study and trace with respect to it’s origin.

Our workshop with James continues through tomorrow, we will continue experimenting with letters, followed by crit at noon, before visits to the epigraphy museum.