1. Building Block Letters

2. Architecture: (Latin architectura, after the Greek ἀ ρχιτέκτων – arkhitekton – from ἀ ρχι-"chief" and τέκτων "builder, carpenter, mason") is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings and other physical structuresarchitectura ἀ ρχιτέκτων ἀ ρχι-τέκτωνplanningdesigningconstructing

3. For this exercise in architectural design and building, you will design, draft, and build a letter of your choice. It can be your first, middle, or last initial, a friends or maybe just a letter you like.

4. Tools you will be using: Paper Computer Printer (optional) Cardboard X-acto knife Tape ruler

5. Getting started: Search fonts that appeal to you – I wouldn’t choose anything too curvy (cursive) unless you have A LOT of patience. Draw your letter so that it is 6” tall and no more than 6” wide – you may print them and trace as long as you can size them correctly. Cut out 2 of these

6. Then… Trace your letters on your cardboard

7. Next… Cut them out carefully with an x-acto knife PLEASE NOTE: watch hands at all times, observe safe cutting practices, never force a blade, cut toward yourself or place your free hand in front of your blade DON’T BE DISTRACTED!!!

8. Cutting out letter

9. Then… Cut strips 1” – 2” thick, these will be the walls of your letter

10. Start building up sides… Measure the sides of your letter and cut pieces to length. Spread glue along the bottom of each piece and place on your letter. Tape in place. You can tape your letter temporarily to the table or a piece of scrap cardboard. BE PATIENT! It takes time

12. When sides are complete and dry.. Carefully remove tape and glue “top” letter on and tape again.

13. Finally… When all glue is dry remove all of your tape and be amazed at your handiwork! Decorate your letter in some way – you can write text on it with a sharpie, paint it, cover it in decorative paper, etc. Lastly –PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BOTTOM OR BACK!!!!

14. Some ideas:

16. Grading: your grade will be based on your completion of… Research/idea file: a 1 page word document of fonts that you like Drawn/printed letter for tracing The completion of 1 letter of your choice the is 6” tall and no more than 6” wide. Surface treatment of your letter Total points 100 possible – neatness and craft count! GOOD LUCK!