3D lettering is a type of typography that is commonly used in graphic design and some types of industrial design. Many 3D fonts are rendered so that the letters appear to jump off the page or computer screen, and this type of multidimensional design can be done in digital, print, and sculpture projects. Depending on the angles used, each letter has a visible top, side, and bottom view, rather than looking flat. 3D lettering is frequently used by advertising designers in banners, posters, and billboards to quickly capture the attention of viewers. Although 3D graphic design projects can be completed relatively quickly using an electronic illustration software program, experienced graphic designers frequently report that a thorough understanding of how to draw 3D letters by hand is required for effective use of this type of lettering.
Signs, portable trade show displays, and even sculpture are examples of non-digital platforms for 3D lettering. Large 3D letters for the facades of office buildings are sometimes created by industrial designers to advertise the businesses inside. Steel, plastic, aluminum, and other similar materials can be used to create these letters. The use of 3D software for rendering models of the letters before the actual fabrication steps takes place is common in the process of designing these lettering projects. Customers are drawn to businesses that use this type of lettering because 3D images have a higher level of visual interest than two-dimensional images.
Websites are another source for 3D lettering. Banner ads placed on websites in the hopes of catching visitors’ attention and inciting them to click on a link within one of these ads are some of the most popular choices for this type of typography design. These letters are typically created by website graphic designers using image editing or illustration software; many of these programs allow them to add effects like drop shadowing and color gradients. Designers who use 3d lettering face a variety of challenges in terms of letter size, position, and angle.
Using a stencil or ruler to create the initial flat letter shape can help you draw 3D lettering successfully. To make filling in the shadows easier, many new designers start with simple block letters without serifs. Many people in the graphic and industrial design industries find that connecting the required lines by hand takes some practice, but that this initial process leads to better results with 3D design software.