Sophisticated Lettering & Typography by Martin Schmetzer

I recently came across Martin Schmetzer's works when I was finding inspiration for a typography poster I was commissioned to do. 

Schmetzer's works are exceptionally impressive with beautiful line-work and I love looking at the raw sketches and behind-the-scenes sneak peaks of how they were created. 

Advertorial shoot for PILOT. Click the image above to watch him in action in the commercial.

This looks like a beautiful wedding lettering of the couple's names.

Vectorised cover Designs for A+ Magazine.

View his works on Behance here and you might get inspired too. 

I find that it's quite difficult to create custom lettering and it took me several drafts and trial & error before finally settling down with the one I'm pleased with. So it's not as easy as it looks! Below is an anatomy of calligraphy for reference. 

Source: FarmHaus Studios

The anatomy of calligraphy.

I still have a lot more to learn and is really keen on it because it's really something that gives any design work a personal and unique touch which you just don't get from simply typing out the words. 

And as I was going along with my research I wondered if there is a difference between lettering, calligraphy and typography?

Lettering can be simply defined as “the art of drawing letters”.

Calligraphy is based on penmanship; it’s essentially “writing letters.” Lettering, on the other hand, is based on draftsmanship, i.e. “drawing letters.

Typography was, and has continued to be, primarily the skill of setting type.

Source:  Smashing Magazine 

Good typography/calligraphy is a great skill to learn as it'll be really handy for a designer to know and apply to to any design work which gives it so much more value and look much more impressive.

Also, it is addictive and truly engrossing and hours will pass without you realising it while you're working on it.

My poster design using typography got approved on the first submission and the clients appeared to love it. I can only share it upon the official release!

Till then...

Here's a sneak peak!

Pencil sketch of the poster's header in the early stages.

Love,
Sarah Zainal