Retro American Lettering: Discover the Interlock Style
A course by Francis ChouquetLettering Artist and Typographer
A course by Francis Chouquet, Lettering Artist and Typographer
Create a unique poster with striking compositions by exploring hand lettering techniques in Procreate
Do you love all things vintage? Want to discover American modernism through lettering art? If you're a total "typochondriac" like Francis Choquet, this course is perfect for you!
Join him and discover this prolific artistic movement which, between the 1950s and the 1970s, experimented extensively with letters and their forms. Draw mostly by hand, but also get to grips with some great digital tools. Travel through time and get inspired to create compelling lettering art.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 22 downloads
Discovery of tools
2 minutes, 20 seconds
The basics of typography
7 minutes, 38 seconds
The interlock
19 minutes, 19 seconds
The calligram
12 minutes, 14 seconds
Find inspiration
5 minutes, 54 seconds
The first sketches
19 minutes, 21 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Francis Chouquet and discovering his atypical career path, which has stretched from web design to lettering. He tells you about meeting the artist Ken Barber, which was a pivotal moment for him.
He then introduces you to the tools and fundamental elements of typography. Do you know the difference between typography, calligraphy, and lettering? Familiarize yourself with calligrams, which are especially suited to the interlock style.
Then, create a mood board to help you find inspiration and do some small sketches in thumbnail form. Once you've decided on a format, create a solid base using the "skeleton" technique, inside which you can play around with different styles.
After this exciting handiwork, it's time for the digital tools! Transfer your final sketch to Procreate, create layers, and work on the inking, before adding color, texture, and grain.
Learn how to prepare your file for printing and share it on social media. As a bonus, discover how to give it an even more retro vibe thanks to a technique used in screen printing or risography. Now you've got all the skills to create your own amazing vintage lettering!
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a piece of interlock lettering for a festival poster in the vintage style of American modernism.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who wants to discover modernism to enrich their personal lettering style.
Requirements and materials
You need paper, pencils, an iPad, and Procreate.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
This course was Great, and the teacher is very talented. BUT yesterday I got a text from my bank over a suspicious charge. Turns out, Domestika has taken 349 out of the account that I paid with. I am now fighting the charge. It shows in my profile that I am now the very surprised owner of a YEAR-LONG subscription. That I Did NOT sign up for. This is S C A M - worthy behavior. Maybe T HE F T. Such a disappointment. Stealing from artists, educators, and people who want to learn.
- 1 year ago
Loads of inspiration for retro lettering!
- 2 years ago
A groovy way to learn lettering. Will be helpful for upcoming projects.
- charocendanPLUS2 years ago
Muy didáctico,ameno y claro !
- 2 years ago
Corso molto ben strutturato e interesssante.
One meeting with artist Ken Barber and a few strokes of the pencil later, he found himself working for Adobe and Fontself, as well as surfing clubs, for whom he designed many logos and posters.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- My Influences
- U2
Lettering and theory
- Discovery of tools
- The basics of typography
- The interlock
- The calligram
- U3
Creation of the lettering
- Find inspiration
- The first sketches
- The Skeleton Technique
- Different styles of letters 1
- Different styles of letters 2
- U4
Work in Procreate
- Importing the sketch
- Inking on different layers 1
- Inking on different layers 2
- The choice of color palette 1
- The choice of color palette 2
- Textures, grain effects and tweaking
- U5
For further
- Export and print
- Tips for publishing your work online
- Layering Technique
- FP
Final project
- Retro American Lettering: Discover the Interlock Style
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
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FAQs
This course is mainly aimed at intermediate learners with some drawing or graphic design background, but motivated beginners can follow along thanks to detailed, step-by-step explanations.
You’ll need an iPad with the Procreate app, plus paper, pencil, precision eraser, tracing paper, and optionally a computer to prepare print files.
Yes, the course teaches the interlock technique, which involves weaving letters together to create cohesive, dynamic typographic compositions inspired by classic American retro styles.
Yes, you’ll learn how to create a retro typographic poster, manage spacing, add textures, prepare files for printing, and optimize your work for digital sharing.
The calligram module covers making expressive calligrams, integrating text into geometric or organic shapes, and techniques to maximize space and readability.
Yes, the course includes tutorials on layering colors, using specific brushes, and applying textures to achieve an authentic retro look in Procreate.
You’ll learn to analyze retro styles, create moodboards, master interlock lettering, sketch, use digital tools, and prepare professional files for print and web.