Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Whimsy at Work

I have a confession to share: I have reached peak hand-lettering saturation.  I totally recognize that the artists who create the prints and other products you see on Instagram are truly skilled, but my social media feeds need a little break from the whimsy.

Here's another confession, though this one is less likely to ruffle feathers: I can't remember the last time I uploaded a desktop background on my personal laptop.  The last two backgrounds I've used have been chosen from amongst the standard Mac options and, in fact, I think the one that's there now is still the one that appeared automatically when I booted up my new hard drive for the first time.  (It's called Galaxy, in case you were wondering.)

But, in a stunning exhibition of contradiction, I love having a rotating selection of carefully chosen hand-lettered background on my work computer.  I have so much fun scrolling through the illustrations and typography that, if the sentiments of the women I follow online are any indication, were created as a labor of love, picking the perfect inspiration for my work day, and then taking a minute at the start of every morning to admire both the words themselves and the artistry that went into shaping them.  Maybe it's because my day job, although in the arts, is very Arial and Times New Roman and I want one small contrast at easy reach - I'm not sure.  But this little frivolous reminder to do my job well is lovely to have to hand no matter what's going on at work.  Thanks, letterers.

Type and Title

The Nectar Collective via The Wonder Forest

POMMEL lane

Her Lovely Heart

The Collative

The Fox Is Black

16 comments:

  1. I'm the total opposite of you-- I change my computer background like I change my shoes. Luckily, a few blogs I follow post weekly or monthly designs so I don't have to make or find my own!

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  2. I have a required desktop at work and it is a scary eagle staring at me.

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  3. I've enjoyed seeing all the hand-lettered calendar desktop backgrounds around, and rotate through those regularly - it took an office spending lockdown to get me interested in them, but now I'm a fan. Less money, less waste, readily available pretty calendar. :)

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  4. great backgrounds!! i currently have a travel pic up but it's probably time for a change :) xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  5. Absolutely love these. I'm all for a bit of inspiration on my computers. I have three (2 work & 1 personal) and they are all different and all constantly changing. Laura x

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  6. I also feel a bit overwhelmed with all the hand lettering going on lately, it is wonderful but it reaches a point it all blends together.

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  7. These are great phrases to keep in mind. I don't change my background often either, but when I do it's usually to a photo that I'm really proud of. Nice memory to look back to when

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  8. haha now I want to see your shoe collection :P

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  9. you mean AMERICA, right? instead of "scary eagle."

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  10. amen to all of those things! I waited until late enough in January that I was able to get my little desk calendar on clearance :)

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  11. I could use a photo of a tropical beach right now to take me away from the cold we're having in DC....

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  12. OH MY GAH three computers. I think I'd spontaneously combust if someone tried to add a third computer to my arsenal. two is complicated enough!

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  13. yes! which is sad because I know everyone works really hard on their art. guess that's what happens when a certain style takes off?

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  14. desktop background as fantasy transportation... I like that :)

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  15. Those are all fab! I love the hand lettering style, although it is starting to pop up absolutely everywhere right now! My desktop background is of a beach - each time I fire up my computer I always want to be back there though which can make me a little counter productive! Maybe I need to search out some hand lettered words of inspiration! x

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  16. I feel like a similiar thing is happening now with embroidery or quirky cross stitch things as well which is great that people are enjoying an old hobby but it is really everywhere!

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