MashUp: Process | Gabby Rancitelli

Statement of Intent

For this project, my intent was invent a new word by combining two ‘real’ words together and communicating the meaning of the new word through text and visual imagery. We were instructed to manipulate 2D and 3D forms such as objects and letters in isometric perspective. In creating a new word, we were instructed to combine two words that would work well together and could be easily identified using context clues and drawing. Using Adobe Illustrator, our goal was to find a font that would help represent our word and use imagery to explain our invented words meaning, and use no more than three hues that help contribute to our word. In this assignment our materials included Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, sketchbook, pencils, and an isometric grid. My goal for this project was to learn more about Adobe Illustrator and to efficiently communicate my invented words meaning through context clues and visual imagery.

Ideation

In our first exercise, we learned about how to make letters in isometric view, changing the depth of the letters, and how the thickness of letters effects the outcome of a word in isometric view. We were instructed to explore these three variables by putting our name and initials in Adobe Illustrator and add a variety of colors that represents you as a person. This exercise ultimately taught us how to use Adobe Illustrator in a new way and become more comfortable with the application.

In our second exercise, we began exploring possible mash-up words and how we would visually communicate the meaning of the words. We were instructed to choose one noun or verb and one adjective. The word I chose in the end was “winzing”.

In our final exercise, we were instructed to start visualizing possible ideas for our mash-up words. Our instructor gave us a time constraint on how much time could spend brainstorming these ideas so we could get a few ideas down quickly.

Iteration and Production

Once we had our mash-up word selected, we were able to start putting our word in isometric view and testing possible illustrations using Adobe Illustrator. The first image was the first time I put my mash-up word into Adobe Illustrator and I started focusing on just the color variations/shades. The second image is when I started adding in illustrations to my word and planning how to arrange the visuals.

Description: For this assignment, we were instructed to communicate with the use of text and imagery. We learned how to manipulate text from 2D to 3D and focused exclusively on isometric view and drawing. During this process, we were also instructed to invent a new word while combining two words together (a noun and adjective). The two words I chose to combine were ‘freezing’ and ‘wind’ to invent the new word, ‘winzing’.

Three detailed images of my final project

Reflection

This assignment was probably my most successful project so far because of how much I’ve used Adobe applications in the past. I was extremely familiar with the applications and how tedious the process would be. I think my biggest struggle in this project was finding a word that would be accurately depicted using imagery and text. I chose the word, ‘winzing’ because now, in December, it is extremely frigid and windy and I wanted to create a word that would describe that type of weather. Originally when I asked people what they thought ‘winzing’ meant, I usually got “winter and freezing”, but once I showed them my illustration, they understood almost immediately what the word meant. One thing I do wish I would’ve explored more would be making the visual elements 3D rather than 2D. Overall, I think this project helped me realize that everyone truly does have their strengths and weaknesses and that although I am not an excellent artist, I do excel using technology to communicate my artistic abilities.