Design and Creation of Victorian-Style Lettering
A course by Felippe CavalcantiGraphic Designer and Lettering Artist
A course by Felippe Cavalcanti, Graphic Designer and Lettering Artist
Explore how to compose Victorian-style lettering with dynamic layouts and embellishments, from the first steps to the final printed piece
With its timeless elegance that captivates audiences from far and wide, Victorian lettering showcases a unique style brimming with curves, details, and embellishments. Award-winning designer Felippe Cavalcanti, who works for luxury packaging brands, teaches you to illustrate compositions full of personality.
In this online course, learn the art of lettering to illustrate either a postcard or a business card. Join Felippe and discover the main characteristics of Victorian letters along with how to compose their embellishments step by step.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 18 downloads
Time travel
2 minutes, 22 seconds
Exercise for the eyes
4 minutes, 17 seconds
Hierarchy
1 minute, 24 seconds
Ornaments
2 minutes, 45 seconds
Briefing and mood board
3 minutes, 58 seconds
Layout structure
1 minute, 32 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know a little bit about Felippe Cavalcanti and his career in the world of vintage lettering. He also shares his main artistic influences from different countries around the world.
Continue with a brief historical overview of lettering throughout the ages and see where it most differs from calligraphy. Explore the characteristics of Victorian letters and how to achieve their distinctive flourishes.
Next, Felippe teaches you to analyze a brief and put together a mood board to inspire your initial sketches. Take a look at how to create dynamic designs by focusing on the layout and volume of your letters. Then learn to draw the embellishments and tweak the details.
Move on to digitizing your artwork in order to sculpt and refine it using vectors. Add the finishing touches of color, prepare your file for printing, and you're set!
Now you have a rich repertoire to create stunning Victorian letters that can be used on a wide range of products.
What is this course's project?
Produce a Victorian-style lettering piece to illustrate a business card or a postcard.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, illustrators, and anyone interested in the world of lettering and illustration who wants to explore a new style.
Requirements and materials
You need basic knowledge of Procreate and Adobe Illustrator to take this course, as well as a computer with both programs.
Reviews
- 7 months ago
Muy bueno. Va directo y sin rodeos. El curso es para hacer lettering victoriano, no es de illustrator, asi que si no sabes illustrator es posible que debas aprender primero, al menos cosas básicas que es lo que necesitarás
- 10 months ago
I didn't think this class was up to Domestika's usual high standards. First of all, the instructor just shared pics, drew some layout lines, and showed some examples. All of which I could have done on my own. His lessons were short, as well.
- 11 months ago
The course is well structured and delivered step by step. The instructor explains clearly and concisely and is likeable. However, the content is limited. The early videos on design and typography are short, and the section on Adobe Illustrator, though clear, moves too quickly for beginners. More fonts and design examples would add depth. The instructor notes the Victorians used a limited palette of black and white; it would be useful to see this applied, either by hand or in Illustrator.
- 2 years ago
Not in English. Web site has no easy way to get refund. Boooring.
- 2 years ago
Love it!
In 2018, he began working as a freelancer for a range of clients in the US, UK, Norway, UAE, and nationally. He is currently codirector of art at Holy Studio where he develops luxury packaging for spirits and other alcoholic beverages. In 2021, he received a Muse Award and an LAD Award for typographic and lettering excellence.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- My Influences
- U2
Studying Victorian Features
- Time travel
- Exercise for the eyes
- Hierarchy
- Ornaments
- U3
Production
- Briefing and mood board
- Layout structure
- Structure of lettering design
- Following the flow
- Refining the sketch
- U4
Project execution
- Sculpture in vector
- Vector refinement
- Final details
- Closing with a golden key
- FP
Final project
- Design and Creation of Victorian-Style Lettering
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
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Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
This is an intermediate-level course, ideal for those with some graphic design or lettering experience who want to dive deeper into vintage styles and Victorian ornamentation.
You'll need paper, pencils, pens for manual sketches, and access to vector design software like Illustrator or Procreate for the digital parts.
You'll learn Victorian lettering techniques, ornament creation, label composition for spirits and wines, vectorization, color palette use, and finishing touches for professional printing.
The course covers everything from researching historical references to manual and digital execution of lettering and ornaments, focusing on luxury label projects and sophisticated graphic design.
Basic drawing skills are recommended, but the course teaches sketching, composition, and refinement techniques, making it accessible for beginners in manual drawing.
The course explores Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles, plus techniques for creating frames, medallions, acanthus leaves, ribbons, and decorative hatching.
Yes, the course guides you step-by-step to create complete labels—from briefing to print-ready files—focusing on visual identity and luxury finishes.