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39. Obsessed with Letters: Ian Barnard on Mastery, Mistakes & Making Fonts
What do you do when your wife is watching Downton Abbey, your newborn needs feeding, and your creative spark is burning out?
If you’re Ian Barnard—you pick up a “Calligraphy for Dummies” book and unknowingly set yourself on a path that leads to Creative Market bestsellers, fonts spotted in Starbucks, and a global community of lettering lovers.
In this episode, Ian shares how his journey from a local graphic designer to an international lettering artist wasn’t driven by trends or flashy success—but by daily practice, small bets, and staying curious.
We talk about:
• The early days of learning calligraphy with zero experience
• Building a thriving digital product business without losing the love for the craft
• Making fonts that people actually use—and one that accidentally went viral
• Teaching vs. creating vs. resting (and why Ian needs all three)
• Parenting, faith, and finding balance as a one-man creative studio
This is one of those conversations that reminds you why you started—and why it’s worth continuing, even when no one’s watching.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
👉 Check out Ian’s work on Instagram: @ianbarnard
🌐 Explore his products, courses, and fonts at: www.ianbarnard.net
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By CAPTN OffScriptWhat do you do when your wife is watching Downton Abbey, your newborn needs feeding, and your creative spark is burning out?
If you’re Ian Barnard—you pick up a “Calligraphy for Dummies” book and unknowingly set yourself on a path that leads to Creative Market bestsellers, fonts spotted in Starbucks, and a global community of lettering lovers.
In this episode, Ian shares how his journey from a local graphic designer to an international lettering artist wasn’t driven by trends or flashy success—but by daily practice, small bets, and staying curious.
We talk about:
• The early days of learning calligraphy with zero experience
• Building a thriving digital product business without losing the love for the craft
• Making fonts that people actually use—and one that accidentally went viral
• Teaching vs. creating vs. resting (and why Ian needs all three)
• Parenting, faith, and finding balance as a one-man creative studio
This is one of those conversations that reminds you why you started—and why it’s worth continuing, even when no one’s watching.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
👉 Check out Ian’s work on Instagram: @ianbarnard
🌐 Explore his products, courses, and fonts at: www.ianbarnard.net