Your name can reveal parts of your personality

What is Ben trying to tell you about himself by the way he has written his name?
Courtesy Art Center College of Design

What's in a name?

Not only does your name give people something to call you, but it can also tell who you are as a person. Are you funny, happy, tall or smart? Do you like to read, play sports or hang out with your friends?

Here's an activity to show how you can describe who you are by writing your name. Don't worry, you don't need to be a professional artist to learn how to do it. You just need a little imagination.

Step 1: Write your name on a piece of paper and look at it closely.

Step 2: Think about what you want people to know about you. How would you describe your personality? What do you look like? What kinds of things do you like to do?

Step 3: Now experiment with the size, shape and placement of the letters in your name. Try making the letters different from one another. Add drawings or put a border around it. Design your name so it shows the one thing that best describes you to others.

Step 4: Show your new name to family and friends. Ask them if the drawing describes you. You might surprise them. Maybe your name tells something about you that they didn't know.

Step 5: Make your name into a calling card. Write it this way all the time or ask your parents to have a rubber stamp made from your drawing. It can be your new signature.

Now you know what's in a name -- you!

If you enjoyed doing this activity and want to learn more ways of expressing yourself, you might like to attend a five-week session at the Art Center for Kids, open to all students in grades 4 through 8. For more information, call (626) 396-2347 or e-mail kids@artcenter.edu.

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