Project Overview
The main objective of this project was to design a graphic of an animal based
on its most recognizable features. To find the best way to communicate the
creature's unique identity, design principles like shape, closure, and figure-ground
were utilized.
After the development of the creature mark, the second half of the project
required an implementation of the mark into a composition that also included
an original poem or phrase about our animal. The composition expands on design
elements established within the creature mark, while also introducing typographic
elements, opacity, and composition properties like the Fibonacci sequence.
The main objective of this project was to design a graphic of an animal based
on its most recognizable features. To find the best way to communicate the
creature's unique identity, design principles like shape, closure, and figure-ground
were utilized.
After the development of the creature mark, the second half of the project
required an implementation of the mark into a composition that also included
an original poem or phrase about our animal. The composition expands on design
elements established within the creature mark, while also introducing typographic
elements, opacity, and composition properties like the Fibonacci sequence.
Research
Sketching
Being able to recognize key elements commonly associated with bats
led to developing sketches that display its graceful, shy nature while also
highlighting it's unique wingspan and ear shape.
During the sketching process, a variety of potential poses, angles,
and perspectives were explored, while retaining a focus on the
bat's most prominent physical traits.
and perspectives were explored, while retaining a focus on the
bat's most prominent physical traits.
Digital Iteration
As the project moved to Adobe Illustrator, focus was placed on simplification of
the form and exploration of the more behavioral or emotional traits associated with bats.
These iterations drew on their peculiarity while also bringing attention to their other
unique physical traits, like their graceful wings.
the form and exploration of the more behavioral or emotional traits associated with bats.
These iterations drew on their peculiarity while also bringing attention to their other
unique physical traits, like their graceful wings.
Final Creature Mark
The final design of the creature mark depicts the bat as a peculiar but graceful
creature through it's use of closure and figure-ground reversal. The stroke variation
of the mark help highlights the traits that make it unique, like its curved, leathery
wings or the sound wave motif in the ear to represent its use of echolocation.
Digital Iteration - Phrase Implementation
"Calls echoing across the valley,
the little vampire bat stalks its prey
under the light of the moon."
the little vampire bat stalks its prey
under the light of the moon."
Several variations of experimental typography were used to convey the
stealthy, clever nature of bats and the effectiveness of their unique ability
to use echolocation while flying. The use of figure-ground reversal was
prioritized while creating concepts for this composition to call attention
to the bat's nocturnal nature.
stealthy, clever nature of bats and the effectiveness of their unique ability
to use echolocation while flying. The use of figure-ground reversal was
prioritized while creating concepts for this composition to call attention
to the bat's nocturnal nature.
Final Composition
The final composition depicts the bat creature mark in an abstracted
moonlit sky, with repeated motifs of sound waves to better convey their
use of echolocation. The faint repetition of the word "echoing" in the
background further expresses their unique method of hunting.
moonlit sky, with repeated motifs of sound waves to better convey their
use of echolocation. The faint repetition of the word "echoing" in the
background further expresses their unique method of hunting.
