2023 was the first year I took part in 36 days of type. I had been wanting to get back into art for a while, but didn’t really know what I wanted to draw, or how I wanted to draw it. Taking part in a challenge with a clear guidance on what was to be drawn each day, then only left me with figuring out how I wanted to draw it, which was a much more manageable task.
I experimented with a few ideas on paper first. And looked on Pinterest, as well as looking at the 36daysoftype account and hashtag (#36daysoftype) on instagram. Once I saw the variety of ways people were transforming the alphabet I felt less pressure to make it perfect. And more inspired to do it my way and create something I would be proud to share with others.
I posted A-Z to my IG feed. Taking the opportunity in the captions to share a word and a little bit more about my and my brand. In this blog post I am sharing the full 36 designs along with their captions to share more about what Au Atelier is, what I hope to achieve with is and who the person is behind it.
36 days of type is a creative challenge where designers, illustrators and artists are invited to share their view on the letters and numbers of the Latin alphabet. It was created by Treintayseis Studio and 36 days of type 2023 was the 10th anniversary of the 36 days long event.
Each day has it’s own hashtag where you can view the submissions from around the world for every alphabet digit.
It’s a great way to start, or restart, your artistic journey or get inspiration from the various ways things we use everyday can be transformed into something worthy of a prominent position on the walls of our living room, study or gallery.
A is for Au Atelier, but also Andrea (me).
I am taking part in #36daysoftype for the first time. Going to use it as a personal project to help me improve my digital art skills. And to introduce, or re-introduce, my brand Au Atelier.
B is for Beginner.
Which is the stage we all start at when we are starting (or restarting) something new.
As this is my first time taking part in #36daysoftype, and my first time figuring out how to do digital art – did I say that right ? – makes me a beginner. A person starting to learn a new skill and take part in an activity.
C is for Community.
n, a group of people with shared interests
#36daysoftype
Back in 2018 I had the pleasure of working with these beauts (in the second picture) and be part of an amazing community that had one of life’s mythical treasures – a good manager!
It was a such a pleasure to be part of and work with a variety of people who were all able to come together around a common interest. If I am able to create a community around Au Atelier that feels even a fraction of what it was like back in 2018, I will have done a job well done.
D is for Dedication.
#36daysoftype
n, wholehearted devotion, attachment or affection for
Dedication is a big deal. I think we use it so much to describe ourselves when applying for jobs – at least I know I do, a well organised individual who it dedicated to exceeding customers expectations – that it can lose it’s meaning. Or at the very least the weight of it.
Knowing truly what it means, it’s important to be dedicated to something you believe in. Be dedicated to things that are worth the weight of the true meaning of the word. Not the weight given to it to make it seem like you want something more than you do.
E is for Environment.
n, the surroundings in which a person, animal, or plant lives
#36daysoftype
Our environments can influence how we feel and how we behave.
Not to make everything about work, but I have had an experience of working in an environment where did not feel comfortable. And can now reflect on the differences between how I felt before, during and after being in that environment.
Au Atelier translates to at the workshop. Which is an environment that provides comforting, supportive and motivating surrounds to help create positive change.
F is for feelings
#36daysoftype
My goodness doesn’t it feel like we have millions of them. And knowing which ones to, and not to, listen to can be tough.
Observing how you feel in different surroundings and around different people, will help you identify which feelings are helping your thrive and which are protecting your vibe.
G is for goals!!
n, an aim or purpose
#36daysoftype
It is no secret that I am a goal oriented person. I get great pleasure in ticking things off my to-do list and overcoming a challenge.
When I first started Au Atelier it was to give me something to focus on and work on improving, during a time when my employment was in flux.
Since then, I have learnt so much, developed new skills and now have a new set of goals. With the most important one being to create moments for positive thought on any day.
What are some of the personal goals you have set for yourself?
H is for habit
#36daysoftype
n, a tendency to act in a particular way.
Habits, we all have them. From brushing our teeth twice a day to saying thank you when someone lets you out at a junction. They are things we do, mostly, without much thought. And tend to notice them more when someone doesn’t behave in the same way we would.
I is for Identity.
#36daysoftype
n, the characteristics by which a person or thing is recognised
Often identity is closely linked to one of our characteristics. But this definition shows that it can and should be based on multiple characteristics. And overtime some characteristics will change, and this all adds to the richness of identity.
J is for journey
#36daysoftype
n, the process of travelling from one place to another
Recently I have started to share things I have learnt from podcast episodes I have listened to.
I love learning about other peoples experiences. It helps me to understand the similarities within the human experience, as well as giving me a new perspective on my own experiences.
In my latest post I share how listening to a families discussion on a car journey to their holiday destination, has helped to change my perspective on “life’s journey”. If it sounds like something you would be interested in, follow the link in my bio.
K is for Keepsake.
#36daysoftype
n, a gift kept in memory of the giver
I have a couple memory boxes where I save all my keepsake items. Which range from birthday cards, thank you cards, sorry you are leaving cards and novelty items from places I have visited or events I have attended.
I like to return to the box every so often to get wrapped in the comfort, support and motivation which each memory has.
With Au Atelier, the focus is on creating a community and products that comfort, support and motive. So that they can become keepsakes and can be returned to to experience the warm from the memories they hold.
L is for listening.
n, to take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice, a request or sound.
#36daysoftype
I am going to let you guys in on a secret. One day I want to become (will become – speak it into existence) a podcast host. And the podcast will be based around listening, as per the definition about. Giving attention to and responding to a person or thing.
It’s all a little lucy goosey at the moment. But I have started writing blog posts about how I intend to respond to podcast episodes I have listened to. And if you are interested in finding out what type of content my future podcast could be about. I recommend checking out my blog via the link in bio and letting me know what you think.
M is for mission.
#36daysoftype
n, an important assignment given to a person or group of people, typically involving travel abroad.
#36days_M #36daysoftype10 #36daysoftype_10
In a weird way I like that mission has one meaning for real life and another for business.
A business mission/mission statement is an explanation of the organisations’ reason for existing. Which could be considered an important assignment.
Writing a mission statement for Au Atelier has been one of the more challenging tasks. I was an essay student, so I am more comfortable writing long answers that tell a story and give a clear explanation with referenced examples.
But in the interest of time, and character limits. The important assignment Au Atelier has been given, is to create a moment of positive thought at any moment on any day.
N is for Never Save For Best.
#36daysoftype
When I first started making my own clothes, I would make something for a specific event I was going to. Birthday party, wedding, night out, that sort of thing.
So when I started making things because I got inspired by something I had seen, I would make something and then put it away with the intention of wearing it to a hypothetical future event, which often never came to pass.
Which is why, when I first started thinking about what slogans I would put on my woven label collection. Never save for best was at the top of the list. As a reminder than any day is a good enough occasion to get dressed up for.
Hope you have a great Sunday.
O is for observation
#36daysoftype
n, the ability to notice things
There are a few definitions for observation. But for Au Atelier, the ability to notice things is the most important.
In order to be able to create a moment of positive thought on any day, we’d first need to “read the room” aka observe what’s happening.
This observation is an much internal as external. Observing how we feel in different moments can be the key to understanding what can be done to improve how we feel and/or help ups maintain our vibe.
P is for perspective.
n, a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view
#36daysoftype
The mission of Au Atelier is to create a moment of positive thought at any moment on any day. Which is a huge task and is something I have struggled to work out how exactly to do it.
If you are as avid a podcast listener as I am, you will be aware of the concept of toxic positivity. Which I have come to understand as the plastering of positivity over everything and anything. Ignoring any feelings or thoughts that are not considered to fit the mould.
After a lot of thought and research. I have come to understand perspective as the key to creating constructive positive thought.
Acknowledging when things don’t feel, appear or turn out great. Validates those feelings and helps to give reason to why and how these feelings have occurred. From this perspective, of compassion and empathy, to is possible to find something(s) within the “not so greatness”. That can help with future goals in a constructive and non-toxic way.
Q is for question
#36daysoftype
n, a matter requiring resolution or discussion; a sentence worded so as to elicit information.
I was a child (now adult) who asked why, all the time. And I still ask why all the time just in different ways, with more tact and wisdom than what was expressed as a child.
I ask questions because I like to know things. It has been told to me that it’s nosey, though I don’t mean to be. My intention is to gain a better understanding about a person or situation. So that I can learn how best to treat and/or navigate the experience here in the present or should something similar happen in the future.
R is for real.
#36daysoftype
adj, actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed; not an imitation or artificial; genuine
S is for stories
#36daysoftype
n, an account of a series of related events of experiences, fictional or nonfictional
I love stories. I love reading stories, I love listening to stories, I love watching stories. I used to write a lot of fictional stories growing up. Which mostly boiled down to an imagined alternative outcome to a series of events I had experienced. Getting an A on a test rather than a B, being the leader of the friendship group, having the boy say yes not heck no. You know real ground breaking heart wrenching stuff ?ﾟﾘﾂ.
Now, on my blog I share my thoughts on stories I have listened to. That have inspired a new perspective on a series of events I have experienced. The thing I love the most about stories is being able to recognise myself in someone else’s experience. Whether it be something we both find funny, or a challenge we have both had to overcome. It helps to validate that experience and foster a sense of camaraderie and community.
I goal of mine is to one day host a podcast (continuing to speak it into existence). That shares stories that enable us to recognise ourselves and inspire a fresh perspective that can move us forward in a constructive, positive, direction.
T is for trust.
#36daysoftype
n, a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.
I like to think of trust like a glass window.
Windows are a fundamental part of our everyday, they are all around us. We hardly notice them until it’s brought to our attention that they need to be cleaned or repaired/replaced.
Windows can chip and still function. Not to the optimum but they do okay. But when that chip begins to crack and compromise the ability for the window to do its job, it needs to be completely replaced.
Once replaced it is no longer the same window. It may look the same but it has to be rebuilt and likely reinforced in someway to prevent the same crack from happening.
The window is the trust you have in relationships with others. You don’t notice it until it’s called into question or begins to break. Often when trust is broken it has to be rebuilt, and with the rebuild the relationship it supports also changes.
Make sure to check on your windows so that chips are repaired as they appear. Don’t wait until it cracks beyond repair.
U is for understanding
n, comprehension, sympathetic awareness or tolerance
#36daysoftype
In the English language a q is always followed by a u. So I wanted to link the words I have been adding to the captions in someway.
For the letter q the word was question. I use questions as a tool to help me arrive at a place of understanding for someone or something. Over the years I have become more tactful at asking, though the goal has remained the same.
As per the definition, gaining an understanding helps me to sympathise with or tolerant things not know or experienced. So that I no longer feel unease, and can therefore move past the difference and onto things that can progress forward.
V is for vision
#36daysoftype
n, the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.
W is for walk
v, move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once
#36daysoftype
When I initially choose walk as the word for the letter W, I meant it as the noun, an act of travelling. But there was something about the verb definition that was very settling and helped me understand why mindful walks are such a transformative experience.
I love a good walk. I will always check if a local spot is walking distance before looking at other modes of transportation. I like being able to see an area from standing height, not clipped by windows or seat height.
X is for xylophone
#36daysoftype
n, a musical instrument played by striking a row of wooden bars of graduated length with one or more small wooden or plastic beaters
Y is for you make it, you wear it
#36daysoftype
Some words of encouragement for those taking part in Me Made May.
What you envisioned may not always come to life as expected. However, you did put a lot of time, energy, sweat, tears and blood (seam rippers should come with a safety warning) into making it, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Z is for zen
#36daysoftype
adj, peaceful; calm
