Creature Mark
Critical Thinking | Form Development | Semantic Expression | Content Analysis
Year 1: Design Aesthetics II
The creature mark project involved taking an assigned creature and creating a graphic interpretation based upon visual communication elements as well as syntax and structure. Once the mark was completed it was put into a a rectangular composition informed by the fibonacci sequence. We were also given a phrase by a partner which then had to be incorporated into the composition.
Exploration
I started off by looking for visual references of the Komodo Dragon. I was looking for photos that closed in
on their scaled body as well as full-body references that showed how they moved in different situations.
Key features I looked into included the split tongue, long tail, and sharp claws.
Mind Map
After doing visual research on my creature I created a mind map of the characteristics of the Komodo Dragon, eventually narrowing them down to 5 tangible and 5 intangible attributes that would guide the creation of my creature mark.
Tangible Attributes:
sharp claws, stocky, long tail, split tongue, scales
Intangible Attributes:
deadly, strong, athletic, intelligent, tenacious
Sketches
I sketched with pencil only first, focusing on becoming familiar with the Komodo Dragon’s body and its key features. I wanted to get to a point where I could draw it from memory and in different poses, even without a reference. Eventually, I applied ink to my sketches, allowing me to create more depth, and contrast, and explore relationships with the different body parts.
Digital Application
I struggled in the beginning to apply my final sketch to Illustrator. I had mapped out how I would like parts of the body to relate to one another, but I hadn’t set up anything proportionally. When it came to the digital version, I had to utilize shape to create a proportional structure. I utilized perfect circles (and some lines) which resulted in a more proportional creature mark.
Concept Change
After a critique, I decided to approach a more rectangular body to complement the stocky build that I had mentioned previously as an essential attribute. I started off again with a quick sketch to map out where I wanted to go, then tried again but with more intent. The result is a much bigger and stockier-looking creature than before, appearing less friendly which the rounded body started to give off. I also had to play with the scales on the tail for a while, trying to get the dotted lines to a point where they resided at the edge of the tail with more purpose and playing with the number of dots. Previous examples had too many or too few which resulted in distracting creatures.
Final Mark
Interpretative Phrase
Scales spiking, tail twisting, tongue splitting, claws curling, Komodo dragon fears nothing.
Sketches
Before going digital I made brief sketches of some compositions before I had received my phrase.
This way I could come up with some ideas without being influenced by the phrase.
Typeface Exploration
My typeface search was guided by finding letterforms that looked similar to the feel of my creature. I wanted something bold and geometric. This is why I ultimately chose Bungee. Although it didn’t have many weight choices and was all caps only, the shape of the letterforms reminded me exactly of the Komodo Dragon, so I decided to work with it.
Composition Ideation
With these quick versions, I was able to get feedback that led to more discovery. For example, creating more hierarchy with the text and image. Since I chose a display typeface there weren’t very many options of weight so I had to figure out different ways of creating depth and hierarchy.
Ideation & Iteration
I began to experiment with transparency and scale in these compositions, creating more hierarchy. I also looked into using different parts of the body (claw and tongue) as grass in some of these compositions.
Final Composition
After critiques this composition became my final. From the previous one I reorganized the order of the phrase as we decided that “Komodo Dragon” didn’t need to be front and center. I also added accents to the grass which are from the split tongue in order to relate back to all of the points seen in the body of the creature.
Color Exploration
I started off with an analagous color harmony, but after a critique we realized I needed a higher contrasting color. So, I went with a divergent color harmony instead. I started off with a lot of green, but I knew that the Komodo Dragon lives in a usually dry place, so I desaturated the yellow more and used it instead.
Final Image
Overall, I am very happy about the final composition. The rectangular shapes and sharp edges of the claws create a deadly tone for the beast as well as add to the stockiness of its build. The color choices go back to the arid climate that the Komodo dragon is a part of as well as allow the text to stand out as well as the forked tongue which is a focal point of the mark. The text hides behind the grass, just as the Komodo dragon would stalk its prey. The repetition of dots creates a sense of unity throughout the composition as seen through the tail, eyes, tongue, and grass.
