Alphabet Monsters Design Note h / H

What are Alphabet Monsters?

Alphabet Monsters are original educational materials designed with uppercase and lowercase letters as Pokémon-like characters.
By utilizing the shapes of the letters as monster silhouettes,
we have devised ways for children to enjoy becoming familiar with the alphabet.

Here, I will write about the behind-the-scenes of the production as a design note.
* The Alphabet Monsters chart (A3 size) is available for free download for home and educational use.


▶ Alphabet Monsters Chart (A3 size / Free Download)

The sound of h and H

The 'ha-hi-fu-he-ho' row has a fluffy, airy atmosphere.
It is a sound that feels light and gentle.
Therefore, I decided to make these alphabet characters monsters that live on clouds.

A four-legged form seen from the side

I felt that for h and H, a side view would be more natural than a front view if they were to be turned into characters.
The motif is a mammal like a dog with floppy ears.
It is a creature that walks on four legs, strolling leisurely on the ground (though it is a cloud).
Basically, it has no aggression and is wrapped in a fluffy atmosphere.
I was conscious of that kind of presence.

Howatch

The lowercase h is a slender and light style.
It walks around on the clouds, and its expression is slightly pretentious, but not unpleasant.
It is a cute character with an angelic atmosphere.
It doesn't have wings, but I made it so that just being on a cloud conveys an 'angelic' feel.
Its name is Howatch.
I incorporated the image of the sound 'howa-howa' (fluffy) directly into the name.

Aichel

The uppercase H has the same atmosphere and direction as Howatch.
However, this one has a little more impact and dignity.
The distinctive feature is its voluminous tail.
It has more energy than the lowercase letter, and I was conscious of it walking proudly on the clouds.
Its name is Aichel.
I based it on the pronunciation of H while keeping a soft sound.

The same world, the same atmosphere

I intentionally did not change the design direction of h and H significantly.
The lowercase letter is light and nimble,
and the uppercase letter is a bit more reliable.
But both are imagined to live on the same clouds.
In Alphabet Monsters, I think it is interesting even if the lowercase and uppercase letters are not completely different things.
h and H became a pair based on that idea.

If you like, it would be encouraging if you could like or follow.
It would be great if you could comment on your child's reaction, etc.✨