Unveiling the Art of Letters: Insights from the Life of Letters Podcast Series 5
Series 5 Launch: A New Chapter in The Life of Letters
If you've been with me for a while, you'll know that The Life of Letters podcast has always been one of my favourite things to make. There's something about sitting down for a proper conversation with someone who loves letters as much as I do, it never gets old.
And series 5 might be my series favourite yet!
What to Expect from Series 5: Fresh Perspectives, Inspiring Ideas and New Stories
This season, my brilliant producer Heidi and I are back with a whole new line-up of guests. The conversations that were had were so interesting, deep, heartfelt and inspiring…I’m in awe of the brilliant guests that shared their knowledge and passion about letters. We're also thrilled to have the sponsorship of Speedball Art again this series (thank you Speedball!) which has been a huge support.
Whether you're a total beginner who's just discovering the facinating world of letters, or someone who's been creating and working with them for years, I really think there could be something in this series for you.
An Evolution of Letters - watch the trailer!
In series five we're exploring the evolution of letters and the talented artists and experts behind them. In the trailer, you'll get a little taste of each conversation before you commit to a single episode. Think of it as your series preview, with mild spoilers (sorry in advance!) and a lot of excitement from me and Heidi.
Grab a cuppa and sit down with Heidi and I to chat through the whole series, introduce all eight guests, and give you a proper feel for what's coming.
Watch the Series 5 trailer here
Meet the Guests of The Life of Letters Podcast Series 5
We've got such a varied mix of guests this time around, and that's exactly what I love about this podcast - letters show up everywhere, in ways you might never expect.
Martina Flor joins us to talk about the DNA of letters, how traditional letterforms can be reimagined and adapted for the digital world. If you've ever wondered how hand lettering and modern design intersect, this one's for you.
Devon from Learn Gregg Shorthand brings something a little different to the table. Shorthand might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about letters, but Devon's passion for this often-overlooked style of writing is genuinely infectious… and surprisingly relevant to the way we live now.
Kate and Jonathan from Starch Green Studios chat about designing letters for brands, and how lettering trends have shifted over the years. As someone who thinks about the feeling a letterform can create, I found this conversation fascinating.
Toshi Omagari, a renowned typeface designer, sits down with me to explore his journey from Japan to London and the fascinating world of typefaces. This conversation dives deep into the nuances of typography, the significance of design, and Toshi’s recent project—revamping the typeface for London’s street signs.
Angenise Rawls from Graceful Pens Studio shares how her calligraphy has become a way of connecting with communities through grief and loss. An incredibly moving conversation and a reminder that letters carry so much more than words. This episode really stayed with me.
Chris Campe from All Things Letters a designer and writer based in Hamburg, Germany, who specialises in lettering and visual communication. We discuss Chris's journey into the world of lettering, the significance of letters as a medium, and the intersection of content and form in her work. Chris shares her experiences with analog and digital tools, her involvement in political expression through protest signs, and her publications on lettering. The conversation also touches on her teaching methods and the importance of finding one's unique voice in art.
Richard Manning takes us on a journey into etymology - the origins of the words we use every day. I was captivated by this conversation about language history and found it incredibly interesting to understand where the words we use actually come from!
And we close out the series with Kalo (aka Kalo Makes Art), who takes lettering quite literally under the skin - tattooing letters as a contemporary art form. Her story is such a beautiful example of how calligraphy keeps evolving.
Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Letters and Creative Practice
What I love most about this series is that it's not just about how to write beautiful letters, it's about why letters matter. The stories, the connections, the history, the emotion behind them. In this very digital world we're living in, there's something quietly magical about keeping letters alive.
That's always been at the heart of The Life of Letters and I hope this is felt through every episode this season.
New episodes of the podcast are available now - search TheLife of Letters wherever you listen to podcasts, and come say hello on Instagram if you're enjoying it. We love hearing your thoughts.
