Could you please introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Francis. I am a lettering artist, type designer, illustrator, and painter, and I’ve been pursuing this creative journey for about ten years now.
Do you have any childhood memories about drawing letters?
My first memory with letters comes from drawing the Indiana Jones Temple of Doom poster. I was recreating the lettering—all those intricate and fancy letters—and I remember enjoying the process immensely. That’s the first time I really had fun playing with letters.
Was there an a-ha moment in your life regarding how you draw letters?
Definitely. It happened in 2015 when I attended a one-week workshop in New York with Ken Barber. Before that, I thought two freehand sketches were enough. During that week, I discovered the impact of pushing further—doing three, eight, or even nine iterations. The improvement between those initial sketches and the later ones was incredible. That’s when I realized how much better I could make my work if I pushed myself.
Why should anyone care about making their own custom fonts?
Creating your own font is an amazing way to deepen your understanding of typography and type design. It gives you insights into how our brain processes text. Beyond that, having your own font means you can add your unique personality to your work, whether it’s illustrations, comics, or branding.
For example, I work with cartoonists to create custom fonts for their comics. When their work goes international, the font—handcrafted by the illustrator—travels with it. It’s not just about exporting the comic; it’s about exporting a piece of the creator’s identity.
What’s your experience with font creation tools?
It depends on the kind of font you’re working on, but for beginners, I highly recommend starting with the Fontself plugin for Illustrator on the desktop. It’s great because you’re already familiar with Illustrator, and you can just drag and drop your designs into the plugin. The smart spacing and kerning features make it super intuitive and fun to use.
On the iPad, I love to start drawing fonts within the Fontself app, sketching and testing ideas. It’s perfect for creating handmade typefaces, like those seen in 1950s and 60s movies or cartoons. The app simplifies the process so much that it has become a major part of my workflow. For advanced features, I sometimes use Glyphs, but I find myself increasingly relying on Fontself because it’s so enjoyable.
What surprised you about Fontself on iPad?
It completely changed my font design process. The ease of sketching directly on the iPad and letting the tool handle the spacing and kerning was a game-changer. I can quickly see if an idea works, play with the letters I’ve created, and decide whether to take the design further. It’s incredibly fun and has become an indispensable part of my creative process.
Do you have any ritual or routine that helps you get into the creative flow?
As someone with ADHD, I divide my work into small tasks and always start with something fun. I’m the type to eat the ice cream first before the frog! For instance, I might do a collage or paper cut for 30 minutes to get going. Once I’m in the flow, the rest becomes easier.
How do you handle creative blocks, especially when you’re on a deadline?
When I’m stuck, I step away from my workspace. I’ve found that the best ideas often come when I’m not actively trying to be creative. A walk in the city or a hike in the mountains helps me clear my mind. Nature, in particular, inspires me. By the time I return, I’m ready to dive back in with fresh ideas and renewed confidence.
How do you see the type and lettering industries evolving in the next 5–10 years?
We’re still in the early days of AI in typography, but I believe it will eventually create fonts and even do lettering. That said, I focus on making fun and funky fonts that highlight the human touch. I think if you have your own style and your own identity, you will always find people who will hire you for something really special.
Which creatives would you love to learn more about their typographic process?
I’m deeply inspired by designers from the 1950s and 60s, like Saul Bass, Paul Rand and Herb Lubalin. Their work had such personality—from Lubalin’s perfection to Bass’s emotionally impactful imperfection.
I also admire artists like Sandro Simeoni for their expressive designs. If I could, I’d love to meet them and delve into their processes.
What are 3 of your favorite music tracks you currently listen to?
I’ve been hooked on Head Over Heels from Tears for Fears’ second album—it’s been a favorite for over 30 years.
I also enjoy playing Steely Dan’s music, like Do It Again or Dirty Work by Steely Dan; their 70s rock vibe with incredible musicianship never gets old. Good music is timeless, and it’s always a great escape from daily distractions.
One more thing...
Francis created a gorgeous custom app icon & splash screen for Fontself on iPad. These easter eggs are exclusively available from his Instagram profile @fran6. Check them out!
PS: wanna watch the whole interview in video, because why not?
