The development of lettering design, working methods and an application project example

This thesis aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the discipline of "lettering design," which is often confused with the broader concept of "lettering" throughout historical discourse, by examining it through theoretical, historical, and applied perspectives. Lettering design is approached as a graphic expression method that gives form to concepts, integrates with meaning, and possesses strong communicative power. In this context, the historical evolution of lettering is analyzed, tracing its transformation from medieval manuscripts to the aesthetics of the digital age. The study classifies lettering design based on letterform characteristics into illustrative, calligraphic, and typographic styles, while also revealing its similarities and distinctions with the disciplines of calligraphy and typography. In the practical section, lettering designs were developed based on the musical identities of female artists from different music genres, and the design processes were analyzed through applied methods. As a result of this research, the term "lettering design" is proposed as a conceptual and terminological contribution to the Turkish design literature.