Project One
Animals / Symbolism

Creating symbolism is a fundamental aspect of graphic design as a whole and branding specifically. 

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences.

Throughout your design education and professional career, you will be asked to create symbols and marks. These exercises and this project as a whole will encourage you to explore different ways to create symbols. 

Please avoid looking at inspiration for this project. You may of course need to pull reference imagery of your animal but avoid looking at preconstructed or designed symbols related to your animal. We are interested in symbols that you make not what has already been done.

  

Deliverables

Process Book (Digital PDF) (Keepfile size under 100 MB) (Server) 

18" x 24" Poster (Using the provided template) (Printed) (Template Link)

Digital AI document with all final symbols properly finalized. (Server)

Behance Post (Post Link to Server)

Rules

-Black and White Only (No Gray / No Transparency)

Symbol / Prompts Categories:

1) Geometric- based on simple geometric shapes (such as straight lines, circles, or squares)

2 Minimal - what is the smallest amount you can show and still have it be recognizable? Do you need to show the whole animal?

3)
One-Line - Using one continuous line how can you form a design of your animal or something representative?

4) Typographic - Use the name of your animal, an abbreviation or any combination of the two. Think about what visuals you can convey using just type?

5) Behavioral - what behaviors make your animal unique that you can design a symbol around?

6) Texture - what textures are unique to your animal? How can you use those textures to create a symbol?

7) Abstract - How can you create abstract depictions of your animal?

8) Movement - how does your animal move? how can you create a symbol to represent your animal from that movement?

9) Badge / Crest - Create badges or crests that represent or feature your animal?

10) Geography / Habitat - How can you represent your animal with symbols for its habitat or location. Do you need to feature your animal in some way?

11) Cultural - Create marks based on cultural connotations, history, or folklore.

 

SCHEDULE:
10 / 14 / 21  

IN CLASS

Introduce Project One
Syllabus / Class Info

HOMEWORK

1) Research your animal. Research the history etymology of each. Go beyond wikipedia. Dive into cultural significance, new etc. The deeper you go the more you will have to work with on the next step of the project.

-Use Write 50 words that visually describe your animal.

-Write 50 words that emotionally describe your animal.

-Write 25 words that people think when they envision your animal.

Go beyond wikipedia. Dive into cultural significance, new etc.

The deeper you go the more you will have to work with on the next step of the project.

2) Make a reference sheet of imagery of your animal. Look for diffrernt angles and views so you have a range to work with. Avoid pulling exisitng marks or really anything designed at this stage.

3) Begin sketching for the first two categories (Geometric / Minimal) (35 sketches for each)


10 / 19 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review sketches for Geometric / Minimal

AI Demo / Lecture (Sketches to Illustrator) 

HOMEWORK

Begin sketching for the second group of categories (One Line / Typographic) (30 sketches for each)


Move your best (5) sketches from first two categories into the computer / AI


10 / 21 / 21

IN CLASS

Review sketches for One Line / Typographic

Review Computer Explorations for Geometric / Minimal

HOMEWORK

Begin sketching for the third categories (Behavioral / Texture ) (30 sketches for each)

Move your best (5) sketches from One Line / Typographic into the computer / AI


10 / 26 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review sketches for (Behavioral / Texture) 

Review Computer Explorations for (One Line / Typographic)

 

HOMEWORK

Begin sketching for the third categories (Abstract / Movement) (30 sketches for each)


Move your best (5) sketches from (Behavioral / Texture) into the computer / AI

10 / 28 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review sketches for (Abstract / Movement) 

Review Computer Explorations for (Behavioral / Texture)

AI TEST

HOMEWORK

Begin sketching for the third categories (Geography / Badge) (30 sketches for each)


Move your best (5) sketches from (Abstract / Movement) into the computer / AI

11 / 2 / 21 

IN CLASS

Review sketches for (Thick Lines / Badge) 

Review Computer Explorations for (Abstract Movement)



HOMEWORK

Begin sketching for the third categories (Cultural) (30 sketches for each)

Move your best (5) sketches from (Geography / Badge) into the computer / AI

11 / 4 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review sketches for (Cultural) 

Review Computer Explorations for (Abstract Movement)

HOMEWORK

Move your best (5) sketches from (Cultural)

Move all Symbols from your top sketches into illustrator and REFINE! Think about symbolism, scale, and proper construction.

Print all your symbols up to this point for class. B/W is fine! Rember all B/W no gradients, or grays.

11 / 9 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review Explorations for Cultural

Bring in all Existing Computer Studies (Printed) 

How to finalize your symbols?

HOMEWORK

Refine all computer studies and start to finalize one per category for your final poster. Make sure you are exploring a range of solutions.

You will also choose an extra one for a free for all  poster category so you will end up with an even (12) total.

11 / 11 / 21  

IN CLASS

Review Final Set of Vector animal symbols

Talk through final deliverables

HOMEWORK

Project Due next class!