ERBA was created for Envato's Human by Design challenge. I designed a custom lettering system inspired by plant growth to explore how a series of intentional creative decisions can transform a simple idea into a distinctive visual language. Process

The project started with a clear creative direction. Before opening any tools, I defined the concept and established the design principles that would guide every decision.

With that foundation in place, I gathered visual references of real plants, focusing on how stems curve, how leaves unfold, and how new growth emerges over time. Those observations became the foundation for every letterform.

Each of the 26 letters was sketched by hand in a digital format and refined into vectors. Once the alphabet was complete, I used Envato's Text Effects to apply the metallic finish that became the project's signature visual treatment.

ERBA takes its name from the Latin root herba, meaning plant. 

The system was designed with practical applications in mind. It could be used across packaging, editorial design, campaign graphics, event identities, album artwork, title sequences, or any project looking for a distinctive typographic voice inspired by nature.

By combining hand-crafted lettering with AI-assisted tools, ERBA demonstrates how technology can enhance execution while human creativity gives the work its direction, character, and purpose.

Envato tools: GenAI, Text Effects, Mockups, Sound Effects, Textures, GenAI Video.