Research
The first thing I did in starting and approaching this project was brainstorm words. I knew from the beginning I wanted my word to be about Christmas since it was soon approaching. I started by thinking and writing down every word that came to mind when I thought about Christmas. I then was able to look at which of the words I could see together and create a new word. From this, I combined Christmas and gifting to make chrifting.
I brainstormed of several ways I could display my word on my poster. These were my first thoughts of the directions I could go.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Isometric Type
– Select a font that you feel represents some aspect or quality of your personality. Write your name or initials using this font. Transfer this text to an isometric grid and create an extruded 3D isometric illustration of your name/initials. Test methods of drawing by using different tools in Illustrator. Use layers to upload an isometric grid. Additional layers: Test and experiment with line weight, value, color and fill variations.
– I used a sleek and clean font type. I also chose to make the color in pink hues because that is my favorite color.
Iterations
I first started off doing multiple versions of how I could display my word in the poster.
Based off my previous iterations, I realized that I needed to focus more on manipulating the word and then create a background scene that could support that. So I began testing the font and color I wanted to use for my base word.
I played around with different ways to manipulate each letter. For some letters, I tried just adding little details and then for others, I manipulated the letter completely. I explored how I could do a good balance between all the letters to express the meaning of the word.
Once I was content with the manipulations done to the word itself. I explored different ways I could change the background. I tested my original thought of placing the word under a tree to emphasis the gifting meaning of my word. Ultimately, I came to the decision that I wanted the detail in the word to be the main focus.
I then started doing iterations with the background color and while I was doing this I began to thing that it was too simple. So I played around with adding different isometric gifts to add to the background. I also played around with where I wanted to place each piece (the word, gift, and definition).
Production
To create the final poster, I started off with extruding the word in isometric right and applying my color.
I then redrew all my manipulations in the Sketchbook app on iPad to clearly show the detail. Once those were all drawn, I took each image into Adobe Illustrator, used the trace image tool in the app, and made all the image vector based so that I could add them to my word.
I then began placing all my image manipulations to the extrude isometric word, focusing on keeping everything in an isometric right view.
I added a colored background of a lighter green hue. Compliments the details in the word.
I placed the additional isometric images of the gift bottom and top to create the illusion that the word was in the box.
I did not want the definition to take away any attention of the word. I used the same font as the word and just a darker hue of the same green background color. This let the definition be apart of the composition but did not take the viewers eye away from the main focus (the word and gift).
The final isometric poster composition.
Chrifting (Christmas + Gifting)
verb /cr-if-ting/
– The act of giving one a present during the holiday season.
I created a clean yet still very detailed representation of the word, crifting. The details in each letter describes a sense of Christmas and gift giving which directly supported the meaning of the word I created.
This project allowed me to further my skills on creating isometric forms. My attention to detail has grown greatly with having to make sure everything was easily readable, recognizable, and in the same view. This project allowed me to be more open with my creative side and work on my craft.
Portfolio Project
View final project at Mashup Project