Exploration of writing the Alef-Bet

Here begins the exploration process within my journey. As part of my proposal report, it was advised to plan out and schedule the months ahead. This next stage is an exciting one as it now gets me to make things through practice-based research. 

The first part was to take a Domestika course in Hebrew calligraphy. I have already familiarised myself with the Hebrew language and letterforms but have always wanted to know how to write the letter in its most accurate forms. 

A course by Allison Barclay (Avielah), Certified Hebrew Scribe (Soferet), allowed me to be introduced to writing these letters and their unique names. 

Screenshot showing Domestika course by Allison Barclay (Avielah) 2021.

This became a rewarding discovery as it got me to explore how to write Hebrew letters from the Alef-bet from the perspective of a traditionally trained Jewish scribe.

Image showing the initial stage of setting up this workshop.

I was advised to plan out my letters accordingly in a systematic way. This is done by working out how many modules within the grid I need to work within to keep the letters consistent in size and spacing. This is an important process when writing the Alef-bet letters, as it shows consistency and legibility within the letterforms. 

Video showing the working process of writing the Alef-Bet.

This video highlights my working practice of learning how to write square Hebrew type from the Alef-bet using monoline strokes to create the letters. From this Domestika course, I learnt the importance of establishing the bare bones when writing Hebrew letterforms, this then informed me of how to write the letters correctly. 

The image below shows another great example of how I adopted this systematic way of writing the Alef-bet. I decided to use my iPad as another form of the process of writing letters. This was through the lens of digital design that allowed me to use the application Procreate to give myself the freedom to explore the writings of these letters. 

I did however continue to follow the same systematic way of writing the Alef-bet that was shown in this Domestika course by working within a grid system. This then informed me to work out how many single squares both horizontal and vertical I needed to consider when applying enough space for each letterform and its overall design structure. 

Hebrew letterforms from the Alef-bet written by Jordan Jones

After establishing the bare bones of the Hebrew letters and how to write them, I decided to take what I had learnt previously to then write again the Alef-bet in a different design style. Using the monoline brush In Procreate, I was able to reconstruct the letterforms to create a bold appearance within each letter. This allowed me to see the difference in line strokes from start to finish. 

I decided to work within the line structures of modern calligraphic writing which consists of the ascender line located at the top of the letter and, the mean line which is next, down from the ascender line. We also have the baseline which is prominent in calligraphy writing and of course in typography, as this is where the type rests comfortably on the page, it helps to inform the overall feel of consistency throughout making it legible for the reader. We also have the descender line which helps to extend a portion of a single letter below the baseline giving letters room to sit.