Artist Spotlight: Roland Huse
One of my goals this year is to provide new insights, inspiration and teaching when it comes to calligraphy. I figured what better way to accomplish this than to contact the artists I look up to and share their stories with the world. So welcome to my first (of hopefully many) artist spotlights. Today, I would like to introduce you to Roland Huse.
Roland Huse
Roland is a talented lettering artist from Hungary. We met at a conference in 2016 and I was blown away by his work.In the beginning of 2016, Roland set a goal for himself to create a new logo *every single day*. He calls this project 365 Logo Daily and he just announced that he’ll be continuing it throughout 2017!
As you’ll see in our conversation, Roland initiated this project as a way to experiment with new styles with the goal of eventually developing his own signature style. Because of this, Roland is one the most driven and versatile lettering artist I’ve seen.
Why lettering? How did you get started?
I had an interest from the get-go.
We used to draw a lot with my sister when we were kids. We copied logos from soda cans and candy bars and later I tried movie characters, especially Darth Vader. I remember when Star Wars first came on TV, I was in preschool.
When I got my first computer (Commodore 64) I was fascinated by the fonts and logos of the video games.
In high school, I took advanced art classes and my favorite subject was “letterforms and composition”. Then, I don’t exactly know why, I just moved on, stopped drawing and focused on something totally different for a few years (learning guitar and playing in a metal band).
I only became interested in drawing/designing again 6 years ago when I tried to create a font from my own handwriting.
Making fonts is not easy! Do you have any interest in creating fonts in the future, or are you sticking to client work?
I’ve been creating fonts since I first made a font of my handwriting. It’s not easy but you can learn it like anything else. I consider that as a “dayjob” I created for myself.I just don’t really project it on my website because I don’t do fonts on request. People know where to go to find and buy fonts so my main creative focus is on logos and client work. Lettering and logos overlap with fonts so it’s perfect for me.
What is the lettering scene like where you live in Hungary? Are you surrounded by any other creatives?
I would say I barely know of anybody who is into lettering. Although I have to admit I haven’t really done much research on this. I certainly don’t know anybody in my hometown.
However, my hometown is a pretty artistic place. We have an event every year in August called “Kolor City Festival” which is all about art and music. There are lots of statues and huge wall paintings on the buildings. But I don’t know the artists who did those. I will definitely try to find out more about these things. But for now, it is enough for me to just hanging around online and going to a conference a year if you know what I mean.
What are your favorite lettering tools?
Japanese Brush, Folded Pen, Fineliner, Pencil, Crayola Marker and I have recently started experimenting with Procreate brushes on iPad.
Your case studies are very impressive. I love the process shots. Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on?
Thank you, I am glad you like them! I love all my projects I have been working on, otherwise I wouldn’t take them on ;). I feel like my favorite project is always the one I am currently working on. But of course I can think of some past works that stand out, like the logo for the Australian prog Metal Band “Teramaze”.
I think the 365LogoDaily is amazing. Could you tell us a little about it? (What made you start this and what are you hoping to accomplish with it?)
I started the challenge soon after I first listened to the seanwes podcast about showing up every day. I think it was around last November. During one of those nights when you have too many thoughts in your head, and they don’t let you fall asleep. I came up with this idea that I should do a logo concept every day…
Throughout this project I have learned so many new things and honed my skills. Not to mention the tremendous logos and lettering pieces that otherwise never would have been created… It was a very productive experience. These are all raw materials, ingredients for potential future work, and highlights of the path I have been walking along the way. This was definitely something worth committing myself to.
Do you have a big dream that you’re working towards with your lettering? And if so, what is it?
I want to experiment and develop my own unique style of lettering. One that is immediately recognizable. I want to be known for, and associated with that specific style. I also plan to teach what I have learned and how I approach design in general to help those who are thinking about starting out.
What can the world expect from Roland Huse in 2017?
I will keep doing the daily logos in order to improve and provide quality content and inspiration to creative people. I also will teach what I know and blog about it. I have so much to share and so much to learn from you guys. So my project for next year in brief: “Designing Freedom”.
If you had to give one piece of advice to an aspiring lettering artist, what would it be?
Let me see…
1. Start right now.
2. Try and experiment with all kinds of tools
3. Do it every day.
You can find Roland Huse online via his website and follow his 365 Logo Daily project on Instagram.