The aim of this project was to create four illustrations containing imagery around five random words. All of the words had to be present in each image, with a specific focus on just one of the words.
My words were 340.29, Monestial Blue, Damsel, Chairman Mao and Chicago.
Once I had produced my four illustrations I experimented with book cover design and created several digital book mock-ups.
My words were 340.29, Monestial Blue, Damsel, Chairman Mao and Chicago.
Once I had produced my four illustrations I experimented with book cover design and created several digital book mock-ups.
Illustration 1: 340.29
The number 340.29 is the speed of sound at sea level, which I have represented here as emanating sound waves. The red star at the centre of the waves is a symbol of communism and ultimately a nod to Chairman Mao. Whilst conducting lots of research, I took inspiration from the history of Chicago's skyline, architecture and skyscrapers, which I portrayed as a view looking up between buildings in the city. The ring of blue at the centre is the colour of a common damselfly, which coincidentally is practically monestial blue. I also placed a wash of monestial blue over the buildings to further emphasise this colour.
The number 340.29 is the speed of sound at sea level, which I have represented here as emanating sound waves. The red star at the centre of the waves is a symbol of communism and ultimately a nod to Chairman Mao. Whilst conducting lots of research, I took inspiration from the history of Chicago's skyline, architecture and skyscrapers, which I portrayed as a view looking up between buildings in the city. The ring of blue at the centre is the colour of a common damselfly, which coincidentally is practically monestial blue. I also placed a wash of monestial blue over the buildings to further emphasise this colour.
Illustration 2: Monestial Blue
Here, the title is represented as a wash of colour and a splash of paint, which I found to be the only meaning that monestial blue possesses. The famous style of suit that Chairman Mao wore struck me as particularly interesting as it was his symbol of proletarian unity during a time of Chinese revolution. I have used a button from the suit to represent this. Again the speed of sound is portrayed with sound waves and a sketchy building view illustrates Chicago. The silhouette of a damselfly represents the word damsel.
Here, the title is represented as a wash of colour and a splash of paint, which I found to be the only meaning that monestial blue possesses. The famous style of suit that Chairman Mao wore struck me as particularly interesting as it was his symbol of proletarian unity during a time of Chinese revolution. I have used a button from the suit to represent this. Again the speed of sound is portrayed with sound waves and a sketchy building view illustrates Chicago. The silhouette of a damselfly represents the word damsel.
Illustration 3: Damsel
As my research progressed, I was inspired by the patterns in the eyes of a damselfly. I chose to re-create this effect whilst incorporating my other words within the eye: Chairman Mao, sound waves and a window from the Chicago School architectural movement. The damselfly's head has been washed with the colour monestial blue.
As my research progressed, I was inspired by the patterns in the eyes of a damselfly. I chose to re-create this effect whilst incorporating my other words within the eye: Chairman Mao, sound waves and a window from the Chicago School architectural movement. The damselfly's head has been washed with the colour monestial blue.
Illustration 4: Chairman Mao
As previously stated, I took interest in the suit of Chairman Mao as a symbol of proletarian unity so I chose to create a rotational pattern with the suit and red star. I also incorporated the damselfly again, sound waves in monestial blue and the shapes that are created when you look up at the sky through Chicago's buildings.
As previously stated, I took interest in the suit of Chairman Mao as a symbol of proletarian unity so I chose to create a rotational pattern with the suit and red star. I also incorporated the damselfly again, sound waves in monestial blue and the shapes that are created when you look up at the sky through Chicago's buildings.
