I wish I knew how I came across designer/lettering artist Corina Nika’s work, I suppose it doesn’t matter, it’s just one of those happy discoveries that I couldn’t wait to share with you. I didn’t even wait an hour before I was emailing her asking her about her lettering on her site and if it was hers (indeed!). I asked Corina if she would be open to an interview and luckily she obliged! Please enjoy her answers, her process and tools are very different than any other lettering artist we have had on the site, I am hoping she may inspire even more individuals to take the plunge and try their hand at it. As always if you have questions leave them in the comments. Thank you Corina for such a wonderfully honest and authentic interview! I love this quote from the interview — it is so simple but such great advice): “I just learned not to give up, and practise daily.” Don’t give up and keep practicing friends!

Where are you located?

I’m located in Kefalonia Island, Greece.

How did you get started in lettering?

I started on the 1st of January this year. I wanted to create something more personal for a wallpaper on the blog. It came up to be quite a mess (I thought it was perfect at the time).

What are some of your favorite supplies?

I basically design right on my tablet so I gotta say that. Water colouring is not my favourite although I’ve done some good work with it. I guess my very favourite is the Pentel Color Brush. I love the texture it produces

Can you name some of your inspirations?

Yes! Ok, I’m inspired while walking my dog by the lake in the woods. I just close my eyes, take breaths and let my eye rest in the horizon. The trees always clear my mind, and when that happens, it lets room for some new ideas. Also, although it may sound mainstream, but I tend to listen a lot Lana Del Ray when I work. There’s lots of emotion, and dark sides. The dark sides, always bring out the best in my work, even if that’s connect with the villain, listening to creepy music (John Murphy style) or watching American Horror Story.

Can you go a little into your process of how you work on a project?

There’s not much to it to be honest. I’ll either work on Photoshop right with my tablet, or use my pen brush, scan and trace on Illustrator. The most process is getting with the right kind of style, line weight etc.

Any tips for newbies on how to develop their own style

You’ll find yourself experimenting, and feeling the need or pressure to produce similar handwriting with other calligraphers. It’s something you can’t help but will happen. Through that process, you’ll slowly feel confident and that will show in your own handwriting, giving the room for your style to shine.

Any recommendations of books or classes for lettering enthusiasts to further their studies?

I’m completely 100% self taught. I haven’t done any research on books or classes, I just learned not to give up, and practise daily.

Do you have some favorite projects you would like me to mention?

Yes, and they are secret for now. But the second favourite would be the lettering I created for Nicole Scherzinger’s new album. That was the most thrilling experience ever.

Any advice on what ‘not’ to do?

I’m not fond on putting boundaries to anything really. Unless you experiment, and mess up, you’ll never found out what’s right and wrong, what works for you or not. So go ahead and do whatever you feel like.

Name one random talent you have that people may not know?

I can make cats talk to me. If that counts as a talent! I’m pretty convinced I was a cat in a previous life, I’ve got an insane connection with them and they seem to get it as well. I always talk to them or sing (I’m a bad singer but they don’t care). They always talk back to me.