CHEERIO | John Stevens Workshop:

September 25-30, 2022

“It ain’t what you think”

From my career of teaching and from people’s posts on social media, I keenly realize the importance of design. I actually receive many requests to teach a design class and I am glad that people realize the value of it. We practice so much. Exemplars and performance. Tools and techniques. Design and problem-solving gets underrated. 

There are several essential distinctions about Design: often being confused with layout. Calligraphy students think of layout as just fitting it all in the space somehow. They often overlook or are not aware of understanding relationships.
We want variety and we want unity. This is the Yin-Yang we have to get.

In this class, I plan to address that topic, not solely that topic only but rather by following a thread of several workshops I have taught. 

We will work during the week on several aspects:

Intuition: (every creation cannot be the result of a formula or just rules) So, how do you trust or strengthen your ability to make judgments in art and Design?

Spontaneity: This is related to the intuition above. To do the “freedom” part of “disciplined freedom” does not only mean moving the pen faster.

Problem Solving: Learning to see and figure out relationships or how to improve relationships between elements. An accomplished person makes a mark (or a letter) and then decides where the next one goes? There seems to be a wide variety of abilities and confidence in this area. Can it be taught?

Play & Invention: Necessary for all creation and to keep ourselves engaged. A creative investment. Many tools and approaches will be addressed.

Hard Lettering skills are The Discipline part of Disciplined-Freedom. We will not just be floating with blurred lines in this class; there will be solid lettering practice or writing. Calligraphy demands practice.

Principles and critiques: Short lectures and demos to support during the week. The great thing about a live class over an extended time is real-time feedback.Design principles and basic Visual Literacy will be discussed.

Time: Ample time to work & practice on the topics of the day under the instructor’s supervision and be immersed in a collaborative work environment. 

To sum up: Learning, practicing, designing, and sharing. 

Make good letters and arrange them well—E.J.