synesthesia
Here’s a collection of images made with midjourney, approximating my grapheme-color synesthesia. I experience colors for all letters and numbers, and material qualities for some (texture, sheen, opacity). These images can’t be taken too literally since the internal experience is nearly impossible to replicate. It’s a part of my being that I really enjoy … and I was 25 before I found out that not everyone experiences synesthesia!
I’ve only seen the color L twice in the wild!
I had additional forms of synesthesia when I was young which diffused over time. The graphemes are still strong. In general I’m super sensitive to sensory stimulation.
Wait, I’ve never heard of this - what is synesthesia?
It’s a perceptual phenomenon: stimulation of one sensory/cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory/cognitive pathway (or multiple pathways). There are lots of forms! Read more on Wikipedia
Oh okay. Does it help you remember phone numbers and names?
(sighs) Sadly, no.
Initials I’ll probably remember, but beyond a couple letters or numbers it’s sort of a visual symphony. I do tend to choose colors that match in my day-to-day, especially organization … for example, a calendar or folder for Technology will 100% need to be orange.