Look Ma, No Hands!
Project Brief
Create a photorealistic rendering of a clock using only vector graphics.
In order to make a graphic photorealistic, there needs to be keen attention to details, such as: perspective, highlights, shadows, reflections, texture, and color.
The clock I chose as my reference subject is from Homeloo found at the link below.
Sketches
I started by being sure I was giving adequate attention to the numbers, hands, ticks, knobs, and other parts that make up clocks. By viewing them as several individual shapes that create one bigger shape, I gained a greater understanding of how to recreate them.
It was fascinating to “dial in” and notice the way light interacts with still subjects. Light falls in a parallel fashion and is dispersed in that same manner. It is also important to keep in mind where the light is coming from and it’s distance from the subject. Understanding this is when my clock really came to life.
Drafts
Despite its simple appearance, it was already beginning to be complex. Layer upon layer and slight color variations created a sense of depth. The highlights on my specific clock were sharp in comparison to a watch with a leather or suede band because of the texture being plastic.
The knob for example, was made up of cylinders and rectangles. Once masked in, using different colors gives the appearance of light reflecting off of it.
Final
The outlines help emphasize the complexity of this seemingly simple looking clock.
My final design maintains vibrancy, depth, and perspective that appear as photorealistic as the reference clock. These visual elements create an impression of 3 dimensional realism. This was one of the first projects that really pushed me and taught me to navigate Adobe Illustrator.
Let's just say I had the time of my life.
