The signature is important above all to be legally identified, but also to express one's personality. Its appearance can indicate the attitude, temperament and social position of the person who applies it. Upgrade your signature to a valuable professional tool as well as an object of personal satisfaction. The "ideal signature" does not exist, as it varies according to each individual … however, it is not difficult to perfect the way in which to write one's name.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating a Satisfying Signature
Step 1. Study your current signature
Write your name on a piece of paper and observe it carefully. What would you like to change? Find the changes you want to apply in order to improve your signature.
- Evaluate readability. Are your name or initials easily decipherable at first glance?
- Consider whether you prefer a signature in italics or capital letters, or a combination of both.
- Look at every single letter, especially the initials. Do you like the shape they have or is there a particular one that you think is not in harmony with the rest?
Step 2. Do some research
If you find a style that conquers you, you are easier to choose the changes to adopt. Start researching the signatures of the people you have a certain admiration for. You may be inspired by their autographs.
- If you are an artist looking for a "professional" signature, look at the work of other colleagues. Consider the medium used: a painted signature is often simpler than a written in pen, but it should still stand out from the others.
- Study signatures throughout history. In the past, calligraphy was considered a very important skill, more so than it is today, so you may find examples of calligraphy from people who lived in the 19th or early 20th century. It is not difficult to find the signatures of important politicians or writers on the internet.
Step 3. Find the shape of the font you like best
If you're drawn to ornate cursive letters, there are ancient calligraphy manuals that you can draw inspiration from. It is advisable to adopt a more edgy and irregular looking style. To choose your favorite style, consult the sources that provide lists of beautifully written fonts or a book of calligraphy at a library.
When you find a font, print it or make a photocopy of the suggested alphabet. You will probably be spoiled for choice, so don't hesitate to choose the letters that strike you most
Step 4. Write capital letters
Initials are the most important part of the signature, so they should be personal and legible. Alternatively, you can affix your signature making only the initials decipherable.
- Try embellishing it, for example by using spirals, to see how they look.
- Practice writing capital letters several times, until you are happy with how they look.
Step 5. Practice constantly
In order to produce a signature you like, you will need to practice on every occasion. The hand will have to learn the regularity and structure of the letters that characterize the signature, until it finally becomes an automatic job.
- Every time you have to write your name, make an effort to put your new signature on it.
- Write your name several times in a notepad. You can do this in class or at meetings, instead of scribbling or sitting around the house watching television.
- Over time you will sign your signature without thinking about each letter.
Step 6. Be consistent
Your signature allows you to be identified. Once edited, be sure to affix it to the back of your credit cards and use it constantly when signing documents and invoices. When others compare it to verify your identity, they should notice a perfect match.
Part 2 of 2: Communicating the Correct Message By Signing
Step 1. Choose the size
The size of the signature indicates how much confidence you have in yourself. A signature larger than the text surrounding it indicates high self-esteem, which can often also be interpreted as arrogance or cheekiness. On the other hand, a smaller signature than the text that surrounds it can reflect motivation, but also indicate low self-esteem.
For starters, it would be best to use a medium-sized signature to convey a sense of balance and modesty
Step 2. Evaluate the readability
Often those who write in an incomprehensible way attribute this aspect to the lack of time, but it is not necessary to take too much time to write the name in a legible way.
- A hardly decipherable or comprehensible signature can lead one to believe that the author is a person who believes that his or her identity must already be known to everyone.
- It can convey a sense of arrogance or conceit.
Step 3. Consider the initials
Using the initial in place of the name can convey a formal approach. However, some initials make up words with which it would be better not to create associations of ideas.
- If they form an acronym or word, avoid using them.
- If you are looking to promote a relaxed and informal atmosphere in the workplace, clearly use your name in the signature.
- If you are trying to establish a hierarchical professional relationship, use a first initial in place of your first name to communicate more formality.
Step 4. Decide which names to use
If you have more than one name, circumstances may dictate which ones to mention in your signature. More and more people are given more than one name when they are born. Celebrities often condense the signature into a single name, but in most cases, that's not a good idea.
- If your first name is very common and there is a risk that the person receiving a communication from you may get confused, it is better to accompany it with others or even include the initial of the middle name to distinguish yourself.
- If you have a close relationship with the recipient and want to send them a more confidential message, you can only use your name. It usually happens in letters addressed to family members.
- Use a title, such as prof. o Dr., only in formal communications with those in a subordinate position. It can be useful to re-establish a professional atmosphere with someone who behaves in an informal way.
Step 5. Use post-nominal honorary titles sparingly
If you've worked hard to earn a professional or academic qualification, you may be tempted to add an abbreviation, such as Avv. or dr., before signing. These abbreviations are used exclusively in a professional setting, and not in other types of social contexts.
- Add abbreviations when they are professionally relevant. Dr. and prof., For example, convey a professional qualification. Those who do not have a university degree, on the other hand, can report the one corresponding to the diploma, if they exercise the relative profession, for example geom. (surveyor). Typically, you can add this kind of information to your resume.
- It is customary not to use military rank and professional degree or university degree at the same time. If you have both titles, use only the military one. If the context clearly tells you to use the professional degree, omit the military rank.
- Consider the context. If you are a professor and others in your department are PhDs, you risk sounding arrogant by insisting on this title among your peers. In these cases, be more formal with those in a subordinate position and less with colleagues.
