Digital Illustration

Project 3: Development

The Strongman

A documention of the creation of the strongman. Created using Illustrator.

I started off once again by looking for reference images of strongmen and placed by my artboard for inspiration.

Card size and fold

I initially decided on a much better card but felt there would not be ample content to fill the space, it would thus have been uneconomical to make such a big card.

The fold of the card is inspired from the invitation card by Renee Griffin which I mentioned in a previous post. The card folds at two places, one just under the caption and another across the rock. Only when the card is opened is the rock revealed. The inital top fold was after the full caption, however it was suggested to increase the factor of surprise and so I split the caption between folds which would hide the word ‘rock’ within the fold.

Card size and colour

I had reduced the width of the card by half to a size that was much more comforatble. I then proceded to create circus bunting on the back of the card. I first experimented with diagonally hanging bunting but found it too messy and complicated. I settled with something more simple.

I used the same colours that were used in the front for the strongman, for the bunting, keeping colour palette small with bright warm colours. I knew I needed a cool colour of somesort and settled with a teal which I used for the flag just to create contrast.

Typefaces

Choosing typefaces. I had three typefaces that I was looking at for the caption in the front page, the first was CabbagetownStd, the second was Ewert and the third (which I eventually used) was Carnivalee Freakshow. All three typefaces were circs themed and Carnivalee Freakshow was the best to me as it was bold enough and not too complicated. It also had small details like lines running through, giving a vintage feel to it.

screen-shot-2016-11-03-at-12-40-16-pm — Selecting a typeface

I placed the wishing at the back of the card and used the typeface called League Gothic, although I initially wanted to use a typeface called Press Style.

Two images below: Press Style

Image below: League Gothic

As for the corporate text, I stuck to Avenir, playing with different weights, using Avenir Light and Avenir Heavy.

Borders

I wanted to add borders into the composition but scrapped the idea as it made the card too congested.

screen-shot-2016-11-05-at-11-09-29-am — Addition of borders

Project 3: Research and Development

Developement

I had initially settled on an accordion fold for my card with graphics centred around the caption ‘Recovery is just around the corner’ which would be a play on the use of folds for this project. Another caption that I was thinking about was ‘On the road to recovery’ which would play in quite well with an accordion fold of an extending, winding road towards HDB estate symbolising home.

Below are some screenshots of my work in progress. The images surrounding the artboards are just some images I found that I liked and decided to use as inspiration one of which is from the game called Firewatch by Campo Santo. Most of my inspirations were landscaped based, so images like mountains, roads into a vanishing point.

After the class sharing, I decided to scrap this idea and do something else. The relationship between the graphics and fold was not strong enough. I also didn’t feel for the graphics enough. I was not quite sure how to make the landscape amply interesting. The main comment I received for this design was that that it was too lonely, which I definitely agree with. An accordion fold might not have been the best fold as well as this. Overall I didn’t like the direction my design was taking.

Design Inspiration

Whilst looking for more material and inspiration, I happen to chance upon this design for an invitation card on Pinterest. The fold of the card and the graphics go hand in hand and compliment each other. Griffin has very cleverly chosen a fold that works for an object such as a grill. The card invites people to lift open the fold and the lid of the grill thereby revealing the contents in the grill as well as extra information on the event.

There is an element of surprise and fun with this invite since the user does not know what is inside and it’s a pleasant surprise of simple and yet elegant graphics of food arranged in an orderly manner that fit the overall composition.

Memorial Day Cookout Invitation by Renee Griffin

The colour palette here is simple with warm colours used, yet it does not seem like nothing is lacking. I think a colour scheme as such is just perfect and does not over complicate the design.

With this design in mind and knowing now how important the interaction between graphics and the fold is, I knew that this was the direction I wanted to take with my new idea.

Therapeutic Graphics- Research & Inspirations

Chosen Theme: Nature (Flora)

I’ll be adding any additional material (in this post) that I’ve found pertaining to art in hospitals, therapeutic graphics as well as various artist references that have helped me to shape my ideas.

Art in Hospitals

The three artworks above make use of bright and vibrant colours in the design. The shapes used are simple and can be easily interpreted by all. All three share the similar theme of nature.

[Work above] By far the most detailed work out of all that I have seen. Colours used are just as vibrant as the rest. The design consists of repeated shapes and patterns. Each shapes is fairly simple but together they form an extremely complicated and elaborate design.

[Two works above] Designs that use silhouettes of flowers, deer and stems. I’m really quite fond of these two, I feel it would somehow appeal to both young and old. Not too overcomplicated. The silhouettes are easily recognised as well.

[Work above] The work stood out the most to me., from the use of colours to the arrangement of elements, everything works. The use of various colours and shades are easy on the eyes and create depth. The nature theme is also seen here as with all the other works.

Artist References

Sofia Perina Miller

http://www.sofiaperinamiller.com/index.html

The interesting thing about Miller’s work is that, they are colourful, a large quantity of reds and pinks are used but the colours work and don’t clash. The vibrancy gives the works life. The medium of watercolour also gives a nice soft finish, giving the flowers a delicate feel.

Michelle Morin

Bird Sanctuary At Night by Michelle Miller

http://www.michellemorinart.com/

Morin uses layering of simple shapes to form various birds and plants. I really like her use of colours, as much as she uses many colours, none of them scream out for attention, in fact they compliment each other. Her works are extremely elaborate and detailed which I really do fancy. But colour, colour usage here is really lovely and stands out to me.

La Scarlatte

10 Feet Summer 2016 Fashion Pattern by La Scarlatte

http://lascarlatte.com/

Floral prints-I stumbled upon this site by accident and I am really glad I did. I really love her art style and use of colours. All her works (especially the pattern series) really capture the essence of flowers and plants. Her works are used for not only for magazines and print but on fabric as well. Every image just flows really well. Words can’t describe how much I adore her work.

Other sources of inspiration

These are just other objects that I had seen other time that I thought were interesting. The packaging for Crabtree&Evelyn products have always been a favourite for me and they usually focus on nature as a theme as well which makes it very appropriate for the project.

As for the the tingkat, that just happened to be in my house and I really like the use of floral prints and colours in some of the tingkats.

Crabtree & Evelyn