Tattoo Design

This calligraphic design was inspired by the Gothic Fraktur letterforms of European origin — particularly from Germany — and reinterpreted with gestural strokes to give it a more contemporary feel. The visual style drew influence from how some metal bands have reimagined this traditional script to create bold, expressive identities.

The tattoo features a Latin phrase by Greek philosopher and father of medicine Hippocrates: “Ars Longa, Vita Brevis,” which translates to “skillfulness takes time and life is short.” The phrase is tattooed on my right wrist as a personal reflection on the dedication and discipline behind creative work.

The piece was originally hand-drawn using a metal parallel-point nib and calligraphy ink. After completing the lettering, I vectorized and digitized the design, turning it into a texture that was later selected for publication in the Typism 5 book in 2019.

Being featured in Typism 5 was a meaningful milestone, recognizing a deeply personal and experimental piece of lettering.

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