Letter with Me - Thingamajig
This week’s Letter with Me word is one that I actually use fairly frequently because words often escape me … Thingamajig (a gadget or random object whose name you don’t know or can’t recall). Since the word itself means random objects I thought it would be the perfect excuse to mix lettering with doodles!
When I first started out on this creative journey, I always thought of myself as someone who couldn’t draw because to me, drawing was being able to take what you see in the real world and accurately depict it on paper (or iPad). But, that’s not true, and I realized this when I started doodling. When I let go of the expectation of making exact replicas, I realized that I do enjoy drawing. Just simple, cute, absolutely not proportional or realistic drawings. But they’re still drawings nonetheless.
If you’re anything like me, set aside the need for realistic drawings and embrace the simple nature of doodles. Break whatever you’re drawing down into its basic shapes and go from there. As long as it somewhat resembles what you’re going for, that’s good enough!
So this week’s challenge: letter the word thingamajig while surrounding it with random doodles of everyday objects you see around you. Think of all the “thingamajigs” in your life: buttons, keys, pens, mugs, scissors, plants, paperclips, even socks. Anything goes!
Step 1: Sketch a Shape + Your Word
Before you jump into lettering and doodling start by drawing a light outline of a shape (like a rectangle, oval, or circle). This will act as your “container” so the lettering and doodles look cohesive instead of floating all over the page. I started with a rectangle because it’s always the easiest, but if you want more of a challenge, give oval a try!
NExt, sketch the word thingamajig inside the shape in a simple monoline style. It’s ok to be messy … and forget the crossbar of an A. We’re just thinking about letter placement/composition of the word. Since it’s so long, breaking up the word is ok, as long as it makes sense. I try to do it by syllables, and if it makes things symmetrical, even better! (Thing = 5 letter, majig = 5 letters, separated by A, one letter. I love it when things work out like that)
Keep the letters fairly spaced out so you have room to add details later. Then choose a style you like, script, serif, bubble, block, or combo them, but don’t worry about perfection yet.
Step 2: Brainstorm Random Doodles
Look around your desk, your bag, or even your kitchen for inspiration. What are the small “thingamajigs” you see every day? For example:
A pair of scissors
A coffee mug
A safety pin
A stack of books
A tiny plant
Buttons or zippers
Make a mini doodle list before you start, so you don’t run out of ideas mid-way. Or don’t, it’s up to you. Whatever is easiest!
Step 3: Fill in the Space
Start doodling around your letters within the shape outline you made. You can tuck doodles into gaps, overlap them slightly with the lettering, or use them to frame the word. The outline will help you know when to stop, so your design looks neat and intentional rather than messy.
Step 3.5: Add Variety
Vary the size and style of your doodles so the composition looks balanced. It’s ok if your coffee cup is smaller than your pencil (like mine). We’re using doodles to fill in space, so go with whatever space you have. Some objects can be large and detailed, while others can be tiny fillers (like stars, dots, or little swirls). Remember, doodles don’t have to be perfect drawings, keep them simple and playful.
Step 4: Refine & Finalize
Once you’re happy with the placement, go over your sketches in pen or if you’re digital (like me!), do your line work based on your sketch. You can keep it simple with black and white, or add pops of color to certain doodles to make them stand out. For extra depth, add shading or patterns inside the doodles.
Pro Tip: Keep It Legible
While it’s fun to doodle with abandon, make sure your word is still the star of the piece. I made my word solid vs the doodles being just the outline. It makes the word pop out more at first glance.
If you find the doodles overpower the letters, try making the letters bolder or coloring them differently so they pop.
And that’s it! With a word like thingamajig, you get to have fun experimenting and practicing how to integrate doodles and lettering together. The best part? No two pieces will ever look the same.
So grab your pen, sketch a shape, think of all the little thingamajigs around you, and let’s doodle & letter away!