This year-one project challenged us to create a typographic illustration based on a randomly assigned letter. My letter was "M." The goal was to utilize the letter as the central element in a unique and eye-catching design suitable for the Type Directors Club poster exhibition.
My biggest challenge: Unlike more structured assignments, this project presented an exciting (and sometimes daunting) challenge in an open medium. With a single letter as the starting point, the possibilities were vast. I used my previous experience with Blender to explore a 3D approach.
While not assigned a specific audience, reflecting on the project, it's clear the target audience is those attending the Type Directors Club exhibition. The goal was to create a visually compelling experience for passersby, drawing them in with bold creativity.
I began by researching past Type Directors Club posters creating a mood board to capture the overall tone I wanted to achieve. I experimented with various ideas using Illustrator for more 2D approaches. However, numerous thumbnails, roughs, and prototypes fell short of my vision - they needed to have the unique impact I was striving for. Utilizing Blender a 3-D modeling program, I explored complex lighting techniques to create a distinctive composition paired with well-placed typography.
In conclusion, the resulting illustration received positive feedback on its inventiveness and visual appeal. My instructor suggested further refining the typography to elevate the overall impact. This project reaffirmed the importance of exploration and embracing new techniques while emphasizing the need for careful attention to typography as a critical design element. It was a valuable lesson in pushing creative boundaries while maintaining a focus on the core message.
