Visuals

Project Statement

This project explored the relationship between dynamic patterns and color vocabularies through the creation of a mandala-inspired composition. My mandala was designed in the shape of a wreath. Set to a different number of radial sections, the inner abstractions included a succulent and a spider web, while the outer abstractions included buckeye leaves, pinecones, and circles. Within these, I experimented with scale and proportion to add interest and a sense of texture. There’s a natural sense of movement throughout the composition as it leads the viewer’s eyes in a counter-clockwise direction. As for the colors, I chose recognizable, holiday-inspired schemes to mimic the way wreaths act as seasonal decor.

Process

View detailed project process at Mandala: Process

Reflection

As it was made completely on Illustrator, this project was a fun introduction to digital design and color relationships. I went through a little bit of a learning curve trying to figure out how to use the program on my Ipad rather than on my computer but eventually, I found I had more control and a better understanding of the tools I was using. Regardless, the format made it very easy to quickly test ideas and make iterations without a huge time commitment. Because of this, I was able to create many color variations of my mandala to ensure I was picking the best ones for my final without feeling like I was spending too much time doing so. Through this process, I gained a better understanding of how colors work with one another and how drastically they can change the look of a radial patterned design.