The simplest of design, this series of 365 circles divided into 12 lines illustrates one year. Each circle is colored in by hand charting the high temperature for each day. 12 colors were selected, each representing a 10 degree temperature span.
The layout was created in Adobe Illustrator using a simple circle and distribution. It was printed directly to 11x17 bristol paper, and is colored by hand with Prismacolor markers. The result is an organic hand drawn look, and the process is curiously relaxing. I catch up each week early Saturday mornings.
As a digital designer I spend most of my time on a computer. Spending even a few minutes with markers and paper is deeply satisfying, even if the design is elemental.
Bristol board is not the best medium for prismacolor markers, which are made to fan out uniformly. However, the imperfect hand-drawn effect is lovely and produces a great result.
This was my planning sheet and now is the color key for my temperature chart. The colors represent a temperature range. Because the circles on the page are not numbered, I wrote them at the top of this layover page so that I can easily see which day I am working on.
Close-up of the number key overlay, and the quality of how the marker goes down on the paper.
My Prismacolor marker collection has been with me since the late 80's, and most are still going strong. This is a testament to both the quality of the markers, and the unfortunate lack of their use over the years. Using them again has brought back great memories of some great design classes I took long ago.
