What it takes to be a lettering artist for some of the world's biggest brands

• Seb Lester is a full-time lettering artist based in the UK who started as a digital designer developing typefaces and logos for global brands.
• Now he has 2 million followers on social media and a calligraphy class on Skillshare.
• He has worked for brands like Apple and NASA.

Following is the transcript of the video.

Narrator: There are many people who are great at calligraphy. It's mesmerizing to watch the ink scroll across the page and the incredible penmanship of the calligraphers behind them. But how does one become a renowned calligrapher with 2 million followers and work with big brands like Apple and NASA? And what makes their calligraphy so special?

Seb Lester is just that calligrapher. He's a lettering artist based in the UK. Seb has been practicing calligraphy for eight years. It has become his full-time job. Seb wasn't always a master calligrapher. Originally, he worked strictly in digital typefaces at a company called Monotype Imaging. There, he helped create Neo Sans, the official typeface for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. He actually started dabbling in calligraphy as a hobby.

Seb Lester: My early work was pretty terrible, so people were quite rude early on. Really about developing hand-eye coordination, which doesn't come immediately, and just understanding what you're drawing and the structure of letter forms and why they look the way they do and how they relate to each other.

Narrator: Seb continued calligraphy despite not being the best. And now he has over 2 million followers across his social-media accounts.

Lester: I think there's a satisfaction that people get in seeing a blank piece of paper and then seeing something produced before their eyes. And so you've got a start and a conclusion. I mean, the forms themselves are just beautiful materials.

Narrator: One of the most misunderstood parts of being a lettering artist is the idea of perfection.

Lester: I make mistakes all the time, regardless of the tools I use. I think that's just part of the process. There aren't really forgiving tools in calligraphy. There is no undo with traditional tools, but it's all part of the fun.

Narrator: While some pieces can be done quickly, many involve quite a bit of planning. Seb prepares for a project by practicing.

Lester: I normally warm up by writing the words I'm going to be writing for the piece.

Narrator: One of his most used calligraphy tools is the Pilot Parallel pen.

Lester: The pen is a great calligraphy tool for beginners because it simplifies the process. You don't have to think about ink consistency like you would with a traditional pen. It's a perfect tool for Gothic and italic styles of calligraphy, especially at larger sizes.

Narrator: Since Seb has posted his calligraphy videos online, his work has been noticed by big brands like Apple, NASA, and Nike. He's developed a letterform-based illustration for Apple and designed a logo for NASA that has not yet been released. Seb attributes his success to being able to combine his calligraphy skills with his digital design experience. His nine years at Monotype Imaging laid his foundation as a letterform artist. And his eight years doing hand-drawn calligraphy has helped him become an even more versatile designer. Seb's advice for aspiring calligraphers?

Lester: I say go for it, really. You can get some cheap pens, a sketchbook, and just have fun.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in July 2019.