Did you study specifically to become a lettering artist?
I am completely self-taught: I neither studied graphic design nor took illustration classes, but ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed doodling. When I was singing with the band, it was me who drew all the album covers and inside texts.
Why are letters so appealing to you?
I love them because they are so common – you’re taught them as a child and they stay the same all your life – but you can always turn them into something different and unique, making art out of them. This is what creativity means to me: finding new, original solutions.
©Aja Lund
Which tools and techniques do you use?
Everything starts with a sketch on paper: I draw by hand, then scan and transfer the result to the computer to edit it, as most works need to be enlarged or made smaller. Sometimes I use brush pens, liquid inks and acrylic pens, but my primary and favourite tool is the pencil.
How do you define your style?
I don’t combine much illustration in my works: my focus is more in the letter forms than in the decoration. And I prefer black and white or very simple colours. My inspiration comes from nature, buildings, typography or directly from my clients.