An American Hand Lettering Sampler

While taking a couple days off to travel around our great country, designer Dino Espinosa discovered an unusual collection of hand lettering which uniquely showcased the personality, culture, and history of each city.


The House of Blues in New Orleans features a monthly calender of events where the sounds and emotions of jazz and the blues are equally expressed in the black painted wood and hand written chalk lettering.


The graffiti in New York is full of energy and truly expresses the dynamic, edgy, colorful, fun, and busy culture of the city (Photos taken at 5 Pointz.)



Now this is one completely different way to define hand lettering. How cool is this? CPD spelled out on buildings with the lights clearly depicts the pride and unity within the city.
Side note: This city has one of the best skylines!



The first Starbucks, fish tossing, cheap flowers, and baked goods are things you can see and get in Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Hand written price tags are everywhere in the market and it shows the simple way of life in this part of the Northwest. Even with all the great things to see in the market, the culture is best shown below the market. A couple steps down in an alley there is a contemporary art piece that exhibits Seattle’s artsy hippie culture. It is a wall covered in gum. Visitors and locals still contribute to this art piece and also started putting messages with their chewed resin. Can you see the name Kathy?


Photography by Lance Leong and Dino Espinosa