“Drawing requires an inherent feel for anatomy and proportion. Lettering does also, as I believe that our ancient letterforms are based upon human proportions,” Zavier said. “Inspired at first by comic book lettering, I began copying logos and display type out of magazines. At 15, I stripped up film negatives to form a crude but serviceable typositor font.”

Working under the name Handy Lettering Co., for many years Zavier designed hand lettering for advertising clients while working full-time as an illustrator. “Drawing illustrations has always seemed difficult—lettering is easy and fun," Zavier said. “Working for the past 25 years on the Macintosh has enabled me to create computer fonts, which in many ways is the most satisfying thing I do. Typing a letter or manuscript with a font I’ve created makes me feel like God.”