Graffiti Concepts for Type People with Kel Troughton

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am to Mon, 29 Jun, 2026 at 05:00 pm UTC-04:00

The Cooper Union | New York

Typographics Festival
Publisher/HostTypographics Festival
Graffiti Concepts for Type People with Kel Troughton
Advertisement
Typographics Conference (in-person) ticket holders can have a 10% discount on this workshop. Write to [email protected] for the promo-code
About this Event

ticket holders can have a 10% discount on this workshop. Write to [email protected] for the promo-code to take advantage of this offer before you pay.

Learn drawing techniques and understand letter structure through the lens of graffiti writing to strengthen your type and lettering work. This workshop centers on graffiti pieces and the rich subculture of graffiti writers, a tradition of letterforms that originated on New York City subways in the 1970s.

Through drawing exercises, historical context, and live demonstrations, participants learn how to draw on ideas from the graffiti world while respecting the art form and its practitioners. You will work through a series of drawings, developing one concept into a lettering piece, drawn alphabet, or foundation for a new display typeface.

This workshop is designed for lettering artists and type designers looking to expand their practice and approach letters from a different viewpoint. Many concepts from graffiti writing open up entirely new ways to see and draw letterforms, making it a perfect way to break out of the routine of drawing the same forms over and over. Kel will help you see the graffiti around you differently, and you will leave with fresh ideas and a deeper appreciation for the work.

No prior experience with graffiti writing is required. A background in type or lettering and a curiosity for other forms of letter making is all you need. Students will be drawing with markers and making letter work by hand, no computers necessary.
Required Materials

  • Canson Marker Paper pad (9" x 12")
  • #2 Pencil, ruler, eraser, sharpener
  • Various sized black markers from fine to wide, including a chisel tip, such as Sharpie brand
  • Tablets with drawing software are permitted but most of the initial sketches will be on paper
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Cooper Union, 41 Cooper Square, New York, United States

Tickets

USD 572.73

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in New York

Morbid
Sun, 28 Jun Morbid

Radio City Music Hall

NYC GAY PRIDE GIRLS ON GIRLS BOAT RIDE
Sun, 28 Jun at 12:00 am NYC GAY PRIDE GIRLS ON GIRLS BOAT RIDE

West Harlem Piers

Off Term
Sun, 28 Jun at 01:00 am Off Term

Mercury Lounge - New York

Layton Giordani (21+)
Sun, 28 Jun at 03:00 am Layton Giordani (21+)

Marquee New York

Nicky Romero (21+)
Sun, 28 Jun at 03:00 am Nicky Romero (21+)

Nebula - NYC

2026 NYC Pride March Grandstand Experience
Sun, 28 Jun at 10:30 am 2026 NYC Pride March Grandstand Experience

General William Jenkins Worth Monument

STC w\/ Lex & 3rd Block Association
Sun, 28 Jun at 11:00 am STC w/ Lex & 3rd Block Association

177 E 100th St

John Doe Pride Party 2026
Sun, 28 Jun at 11:00 am John Doe Pride Party 2026

John Doe Craft Bar & Kitchen

Pi Kappa Omega's  Scholarship Celebration 2026
Sun, 28 Jun at 11:00 am Pi Kappa Omega's Scholarship Celebration 2026

PB Brasserie steak house

Hands-On: Pasta Making at Il Pastaio (Restaurant Edition)
Sun, 28 Jun at 11:30 am Hands-On: Pasta Making at Il Pastaio (Restaurant Edition)

Eataly NYC Flatiron

New York is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore New York Events