Most of us dream of getting tattoos in our adolescence. I was one of them. But I was wise enough to hold off until I knew what I really wanted, when I was old enough to really feel I have my head on straight and that I am truly comfortable in my own skin. Well at 25, I am totally comfortable in my own skin and comfortable to have a token of home permanently marked on my skin.
Today I just had first contact with a needle and red ink, reading “Jacklin.” Set in Agency Gothic, designed by Morris Fuller Benton.
The criteria of my very first tattoo was to, of course, be something of significance to me. The street I grew up on, the home that feels like a past-life more and more, and a statement that holds much sentiment, especially with all this craziness with friends moving. Not the “I’m moving to San Diego to go to school.” but the “I am moving to New York City for good.” Yeah. What better way to mark my quarter century with a permanent touch of home.
My permanent marking also had to be something timeless that I can shamelessly bring with me to old age. I approached this by choosing a non-traditional classic typeface with square forms, a narrow body and something that reads more abstractly than legibly.
On the parental front, they don’t quite get it and they’re pretty upset but it’ll blow over. What matters is that Kate and I love our ink and from a design perspective, it rocks. I’m a walking InDesign document with 195pt, Agency Gothic set on my arm. Shannon Archuleta is awesome.
the font you used for your tattoo is a perfect description of you.
Tall and skinny!!!