Typography has long been a cornerstone of human communication, and with the invention of movable type came not only the spread of knowledge but also the birth of graphic design itself—a fusion of creativity and innovation that continues to inspire today.
Scratchboards: Ornate Letters celebrates the elegance of line and contrast, and with The Letter G it takes inspiration directly from the history of typography itself. The piece reflects on the Gutenberg era, when the invention of movable type revolutionized communication and design. Early printed books were embellished with ornate letters—bold, decorative forms that merged function with artistry. These illuminated initials weren’t just text; they were visual anchors that marked the beginning of graphic design as we know it.
The Process
Created on high-quality MuseumBord® scratchboard, The Letter G was carefully etched to echo the ornamental weight of those early typographic stamps. Each carved line was subtracted from the deep black surface to reveal intricate white highlights, building a letter that feels both timeless and contemporary. The process mirrors the painstaking craft of Gutenberg’s press, where each letter had to be shaped, cast, and set with precision. Here, that history is reimagined in scratchboard form, honoring both the material and the tradition.
Inspiration & Meaning
Typography was the seed of publication design and a cornerstone of graphic communication. By exploring an ornate initial through scratchboard, this work becomes an ode to that history—both a study of form and a tribute to the origins of visual design. The Letter G was created as part of the Alphabet Soup exhibition, where 17 artists each contributed a unique letter to collectively spell “Imagine the World as a Canvas.” As one element in that larger whole, this piece celebrates the beauty of language, the artistry of letters, and the enduring dialogue between words and images.
