Exercises
We started the project process by learning how to use illustrator so we could effectively create our compositions. We did a series of tutorials and created a few simple paths to get our bearings.
The second exercise for this project was to create a piece using one of our initials and forming an idea using the existing negative space. I decided to use my last initial, an H, using a very bold and blocky font. My idea to form was vaporwave aesthetics, since this is a large interest of mine and I’ve always enjoyed them. I started out by finding things that would go well with this idea, and began to create the piece using illustrator.
This was the process of creating my H, I wasn’t sure on my topic at first so i was testing out a few different ideas, and then after I found my concept I sort of went wild with the concept, and ended up dialing it back.
I ended up getting it laser cut and learned how that process worked through that.
My process for my final result started with finding homonyms and figuring out what I wanted to focus on.
This is the document I created to organise my thoughts and decide the art direction I was to move in.
Alex Horton // Design 2130 // 1.26.2021
Homographs:
- Circular – taking the form of a circle / a store advertisement.
- Die – a cube marked with numbers / to become deceased.
- Current – up to date / flow of water.
- Right – correct / opposite of left.
- Fair – equitable / beautiful.
- File – stored information / a line of people.
Project idea:
I want to use die as my homograph and do a six sided- die as the visible part and a skull appears on the die and a coffin appears around it as it is revealed? Possibly a bed of roses on a mid-layer would be compositionally interesting. (Form)
The theme of this could represent chance and the unpredictable nature of death so a purposefully weird principle of rhythm and balance would be fitting attributes. (Content)
Pillars:
Off-putting Rhythm Chance Glue, Paper
Balance Unpredictable Cardstock (Laser-Cut?)
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Production
This was most of the setup for my project and my next step was drafting ideas.
These are my three initial ideas that I made in sketchbook, and the third one was what would continue to evolve further into the final piece.
This was the first real draft of my final piece made in illustrator, with the red being the reveal. I enjoyed how the reveal brought forth the rest of both elements in the piece, however it was still lacking some elements of dice in the composition.
I had finished this composition and it was now time to send this to the laser cutter and construct the real piece.
I’m really happy with the outcome of the piece and think that it reflects my original concept really well. It helped a ton with my existing knowledge of illustrator and gave me an oppurtunity to stretch my legs again with the physical construction process.
Final Project: Reveal/Conceal