Research-
I began my research for this assignment by looking for images to abstract via google images. I made my abstractions in sketchbook and cited my photos within my grid.
Other research opportunities throughout this project include the “Beginning Graphic Design: Color” video provided on YouTube and http://www.mandalaproject.org/What/Main.html through which I read about the history, definition, creation, and common use of traditional mandalas.
Exercises and Activities:
Demo- Shape Building and Pen Tool
A4 Exercise 1
Using my jellyfish and light fixture abstractions, I attempted to combine them using repetition and by rotating my man made abstraction to create balance and harmony.
Iterations-
My Mandala Iterations began with my three grids.
After choosing a grid, I began placing my combined abstractions from Exercise 1 into my grid. Then I made a new abstraction compilation, and placed that as well.
After reflecting on my composition and receiving feedback, I shifted my focus to letting the abstractions speak for themselves instead of using abstractions to simply create line work. By taking away the outer ring of my light fixture/jellyfish abstractions, I intended to clear space meant to bridge the gap between my small, tightly spaced abstractions, and my more bold and easily discernable abstractions so that my composition would have more harmony.
Then, I began filling that empty space with different abstractions, looking to create the dominant principle, ‘emphasis” while also finding harmony within my composition.
Eventually I decided to leave out my mushrooms and Eiffel Towers altogether, in favor of Repeating the 5 abstractions already present in my composition in order to achieve a more harmonious design.
After ultimately deciding on a similar but redone composition, I began adding color.
The Production-
I began the production of my mandala by creating a grid in illustrator using shapes and the radial tool.
After establishing my grid, I began to fill it using my abstractions from exercise 1 as well as a new abstraction combo made from a snowflake, and an umbrella abstraction. I also used abstracted kiwi seeds.
After making my first mandala draft, I received advice from my professor to allow my abstractions to speak for themselves rather than creating a new pattern using small abstractions. In response to this feedback I removed a section of my mandala to fill with larger abstractions and open the opportunity for greater harmony within my composition.
Once I had created blank space within my mandala, I experimented with filling the space using new abstractions as seen previously under iterations. Ultimately, I trashed my new abstractions in favor of the ones already present in my composition, but kept the value change I had implemented with the goal of making a smoother gradient to make emphasis clearer. First I placed Kiwi seeds as a connector for my outer abstraction ring and added an abstraction to the center of my mandala. Then I attempted to begin filling the blank space with larger scale light fixture/jellyfish abstractions.
Before I had finished the above composition, I had the opportunity to speak with Deb Scott who advised me to rotate the outer ring of my mandala so that it would align with the triangular points extruding from the inner circle of my design. This was intended to better communicate my principle, ‘emphasis,’ by creating leading lines and a more harmonious composition. After rotating the outer ring, I filled the new blank space I had created using primarily kiwi seeds, and by further exploring my use of scale. I also changed the abstractions used in the center of my mandala.
Once happy with my abstraction placement, I began filling in my abstractions with values, using the values already present in the line work of my composition as a guide.
Upon completing my value mandala, reflection led me too believe my dominant principle had shifted from emphasis to rhythm. Next, I began exploring different color stories using color.adobe.com. My unused color explorations are documented under ‘Iterations.”
My second iterative mandala appeared promising when presented during a classroom critique due to it’s high levels of contrast, While my first received negative feedback due to the lack of contrast making my composition feel flat.
Ultimately, despite positive critiques, I could not use the Double Split Complementary color story I presented in class as I had forgotten to implement my primary color in the required 60% of my composition. With that in mind, I tried using a nearly identical color story, this time with the necessary color ratio in mind.
With one of my final mandalas completed, I tried a cool tone Analogous for my last composition. I intended the series of blues and greensto complement my dominant principle ‘rhythm’ by giving the impression of waves created by the varying proportions in my mandala.
Reflection:
Working on this assignment challenged me to think outside of the hyper realistic, let go of my first ideas, and to use many small parts to achieve one goal. I have always been resistant to abstract art as someone who favors realism, but working on my mandala gave me a new appreciation for abstraction as it allows me to use inspiration from the world around me while making something new.
For both halves of my mandala project, I was very attached to my original ideas and struggled to part ways with them. Receiving specific feedback from professors was crucial in guiding me to see the flaws in my assignment and rethink my goals. In doing so I improved my ability to reflect upon my work accurately.