How to Hand Letter Like an Architect A to Z

Hand lettering is a dying art but I still enjoy it and this is how I do it. This video is a quick tutorial on how architects (used to) hand letter. It is for anyone interested in learning one way to hand letter like an architect. The video describes how to hand letter each capital letter of the alphabet A through Z. It's all about hand lettering which can be done freehand or with the use of simple tools like a pencil or pen, a small architects lettering triangle and a t-square or parallel rule. Learn how to impress your friends with a style of writing that is almost gone away forever!

[@TheAirsoftdude18]

I've been using your lettering with a little of my own personality thrown in for Architecture school and everybody loves it. I love how informative your other videos are too and they all give me insight that my peers don't have yet. Keep it up!

[@ridgure]

I love trying to figure out a letter type like this and understand how much work is put into it. Something I always have problems with is how to differentiate capital letters from lower case letters. I would love it if you did a follow up video about that.

[@OG__22]

I really missed this kind of videos. Thanks a lot.

[@thomasdarvik9184]

Really cool! I have watched your videos for quite some time, and about 8 years ago I had to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I watched all your videos on the subject of architecture, and especially liked the "So you want to be an architect - Part 1". You helped me a lot with finding out what it's like to be an architect, and helped clear a few things up about being an architect. With your help (and with help from others) I ended up studying computer science, as engineering looked like a more suitable field for me. I still draw a lot, and occasionally I bring out my ruler and draw some houses. ;-) Anyway, this might seem random, but thank you for creating this channel and uploading videos. You literally helped me pick a career. :P

[@howtoarchitect]

Thanks for the note:)

[@ebowie6147]

This makes me happy.

[@jorgemusick]

I saw this video in 2008 is old but it is still as good!!!!!! so good!!!!

[@annieamantea3103]

Great post, quick and easy. Thank you

[@laurentderrien]

Maybe I'm stupid but I don't get the point. I didn't go to architecture school but I'm pretty sure I can write capital letters on drawings just fine. I don't even need a tool to make vertical lines. You should try it, that's a lot faster. Please enlighten me, what am I missing here ?

[@NimrodClover]

It is true that architectural hand lettering is a dying art. From just a survey of my fellow architects, if you are younger than about 40 years it is very likely you did not letter in college classes. Most of the interns I have tutored had weak lettering and some simply could not do it. I look back on my pages and pages of sample text worksheets and still wonder why... but it does look cool and makes my quick sketches look all the better.

[@babykanga11]

Eric B That's interesting to me. In my college program they are pretty adamant about hand lettering and drawing.

[@L_Fleury]

currently on this video because we are being taught to do this. I seems pretty tedious and time consuming for something that only adds style. Would it not be more sensible just to had letter naturally and take your time to ensure it is legible. My standard handwriting is easier to read than what is shown in the video, so I really don't see the point.

[@batcactus6046]

@@L_Fleury So yeah, go ahead with that.

[@gustavorobledo6723]

I love this channel

[@annko3554]

Super :D thanks!

[@TAADATRU]

I loved it

[@angelicarupido1522]

I am a current architecture student, and we have a homework plate no. 1, it is about lettering and i have a question. what does it mean if your professor said mirror the letters written in the left side. does it means you have to flip the letters or just copy it. My classmates are confusing me. From what i understand,i just need to copy what is written on the left side. your answer will be greatly appreciated.

[@titov7823]

This is the only reason I subbed to this channel!!!!! Thanks!!!!! Please post other styles/variations.

[@bams30]

3:14 My professor would give me a failing grade if I do this.

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

My husband, former architecture major, agrees. That's no S!

[@beasthunter7480]

Yeah it’s completely asinine

[@arkzon4536]

THAAAANNKKK YOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!

[@yanko694]

is there a pdf with this info and steps?

[@robertarguello1115]

Thanks for your interpretation of "how to write architectural-lettering." ... Personally, I'm not on board with leaving any gaps on the letters like: O, Q, etc. And the letter G was almost illegible!

[@emremehmetyilmaz4519]

do you have a layout so we can print it? thank you

[@litoboy5]

cool

[@b1uezer]

Do you ever run into problems with legibility? This style would be perfect for a signature, which calls for dynamism, but I dread to think about reading it at any length beyond a few words. I love the idea of feigning connected lines by leaving a gap, but that along with the angle makes it look close to Japanese Hiragana.

[@1001harris]

what pen did you use?

[@hadjadoui1046]

Wow

[@seankevin5]

Do more how tos plz

[@Mengjoanne]

Bob Ross of capital letters

[@philipteasell]

I don't understand putting gaps arbitrarily in the different strokes of a letter. It just makes the lettering harder to understand. The goal should be to crate a font that is easy to read and can be read by designer and builders on site.

[@beasthunter7480]

I couldn’t agree more. And that “S” is really jacked! If the word wasn’t obvious I’d like wtf is that shiza

[@philipbzimmermann]

This is NOT standard traditional architecture lettering as I was taught in architecture school. The "dynamic angle" and "suggested connections" are ridiculous and do not help legibility. The P's and Rs are exceptionally ugly.

[@gloob7632]

Philip Zimmermann Fuck off, Doug Patt is daddy.

[@huyanhbui7105]

I found this video via Secret Smart Scripter - there's many great videos there that should help out

[@oneitalia2312]

What about the " S "? ??

[@MsLouisVee]

Illegible too weird

[@frankauch8350]

Thanks for the hand lettering in uppercase...please do the same on handlettering with lowercase

[@dougcarter606]

There is no lowercase in drafting or architectural style. It's never used.

[@frankksantoyo]

Being a lefty I’m thinking my angles would be reversed

[@mohdayaz1212]

Where is U

[@12stem6-genashleyenclona2]

Does it really require measurement?!?!?

[@FRISHR]

restrictive architecture is restrictive

[@caivsivlivs]

why do you want the letters to look dynamic? or care about style at all aren't they there on the drawings for a utilitarian purpose?

[@odedeibrahim1992]

ISS 2A

[@Squalettoblu75]

W la scrittura

[@vernonbeck2627]

I would not want you building my house,it would not touch the ground and one would have to go in a door hunched over.

[@MsLouisVee]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂my thoughts exactly!!!!!

[@MsLouisVee]

Fancy lettering just don’t design my house.

[@seramoaney235]

Is this a joke?

[@imaninayusra9614]

Of course no😂if you qpply fo any course related to building,you might need to learn this writing

[@kawabungadad8945]

Do architects have notoriously bad writing or something? This looks absolutely horrific.

[@angeloflou9418]

the video is false info

[@huyanhbui7105]

I found this video via Secret Smart Scripter - there's many great videos there that should help out

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

@@angeloflou9418 You can't just say that it's "false info", without backing up your claim. Who are you, Trump??? Are you saying FACTUALLY?... or is it just your OPINION?

[@MarvinMep]

Man, only stop calling it "architect hand letter"... It is just your awful style.

[@cekuhnen]

well I think it is a dying art because every time I google hand lettering for architecture or interior design I see terrible fonts being used. Every hand lettering example I see today even in textbooks are out dated stylistically as well as in terms of calligraphy quality. For me this is the same as people who use Comic sans because so many use it. Lettering is about readability and when one wants to learn hand lettering calligraphy and understanding font design should be the foundation. Yet most of what I see is people coping and repeated the imitation of hand lettering of the old font over and over again.

[@MarcoCaruso]

Really? Architects are so dumb that they need a way to write? (obviously i'm joking, but as an engineer i feel kinda disturbed from this)

[@quackslikeaduck]

Marco Caruso - Hang on a sec! Isn't there a handwriting style that is particular to engineers, too? My dad was an engineer, and I have a nice memory of his showing me how to letter when I was a kid.

[@MarcoCaruso]

@@quackslikeaduck I'm a computer scientist engineer and as far as I know, there is no "way to write" for us 😂 maybe some years ago, don't know. Anyway I forgot about this comment, it has been a nice throwback 😂

[@quackslikeaduck]

Marco Caruso - Right, because nobody writes these days! My dad was way back in the olden days, pre-computer. I've forgotten the fine points of draftsman handwriting, but it's all caps, for one thing; very legible. My dad also taught me how to use a slide rule (which he called a "slip stick"). Cool stuff and fine memories of a great father and a thoroughly good man. Thanks for answering!