In the early stages of my career, a close friend became my biggest supporter, encouraging and pushing me to pursue my passion for design. As I shared my lettering creations tirelessly, he showered me with compliments and unwavering support. One day, in a shy and timid manner, he approached me with a special request—to commission a piece from me. I felt deeply honored by the opportunity.

At that time, technology had not yet advanced to where the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil had become the industry standard for drawing. Instead, the process of creating art was immersed in a romantic, hands-on approach. It involved copious amounts of tracing paper for refinement and countless redraws to meticulously perfect every minute detail. The imperfections, which were purposeful attempts to manage ink bleed from markers, added to the artistry of the process.

These early experiences profoundly cultivated my eye for detail, a skill that stays with me to this day. Typography and lettering became my training ground, teaching me to see the intricacies that could make or break a design. I recall the painstaking process of adjusting kerning by hand, a task that could even haunt my dreams.

While modern tools like iPads offer tremendous advantages and efficiency in ideation, I can't help but chuckle when I look back at these photos. They remind me of the creative problem-solving that was necessitated by the limitations of the time. It's a delightful reminder of the resourcefulness and dedication that went into crafting each piece, something I cherish as part of my artistic journey.