On the first day of my degree at Ravensbourne College each student had to present a typographic self portrait. 13 years later I can only remember one, made by Richard Holley. His response to this simple brief is one of the best pieces of graphic design I have seen. I have been bugging Richard for about a year, asking him to find his original portrait. He is still looking.

I invite you to create your own version of the Holley Portrait…

Instructions:

Write a short text about yourself (300 words min / 500 words max) include interests, likes, dislikes, future plans etc.

Using black ink make a careful print from your thumb. Enlarged your black and white thumb print to approximately the size of your face.

Using a clean sheet of A3 paper, handwrite your text following the contour lines from your thumb print (you can use tracing paper, or thin copy paper)

Final result: You should have a combination of your own words, in your handwriting, in the pattern of your finger print forming a personal self portrait.

Email your finished portrait to daniel (at) eatock (dot) com

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 Ricky Knowles     
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 Simon Abbott     
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 Katy Hill     
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 Stephen Wildish     
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 Kieren Messenger     
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 Silvia     
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 Lori Flannigan     
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 James Killcross