Celebrating the art of imperfect typography with Abraham Lule

Based in New York, Mexican hand-painted letterer and designer Abraham Lule has carved out a distinctive niche with his flamboyant yet purposeful typography. Abraham’s work stands out for its “purposeful imperfections,” which infuse each piece with a crafted flair that resists the ever-growing digital trends. “The deepest influences in our lives come from our childhood and therefore our parents,” he says, reflecting on how his early experiences and Mexican heritage shape his art.

Abraham’s impressive portfolio spans packaging design for beverages, branding in hospitality, and hand-painted lettering. He’s pretty well-decorated for a typographer under 35, with accolades including several annual Type Awards and honours for his work in packaging design.

Among his notable projects is Typochoreographica, a unique dance piece where letters and patterns are formed through movement. “I first heard Heraclitus’ quote, ‘A wonderful harmony arises when we join together the seemingly unconnected,’ in my early twenties,” Lule explains. “I’ve embraced this as an ethos since then.” This principle also informs his 50 Yards of Lettering, a modern papyrus work that celebrates linguistic diversity through hand-painted typography.

Earlier this year, Abraham developed the Electroshock series, featuring duotone posters that offer cryptic political and social commentary through vernacular styles. His approach to design is not just about aesthetics but about finding harmony and meaning in the seemingly unconnected. As Abraham puts it, “Learning from other industries helps me find uniqueness in my work,” a philosophy that continues to drive his innovative projects.