creature mark
A graphic translation of a great blue heron, incorporating a lyrical phrase into the final page composition.
deliverable
A lyrical phrase -- composed of typography that mimics visual elements of the creature mark
"The serpent of the skies stalks the rivers"
Terry Kahler Photography
Sonoran Images
James Turner
visual research
In my visual exploration, I noted characteristics of the heron that were crucial to the creature's visual identity. These elements, such as the iconic 'S' curve of the neck, define the creature's silhouette. I chose emblematic traits of the animal that I wanted to convey in my translation, such as poised, striking, regal, and elegant.
sketches
I briefly explored sketching a roseate spoonbill as well as a heron, getting a feel for the shape and gesture of water birds. I ultimately decided on the challenge of conveying the great blue heron's precision and poise through a form composed almost entirely of conventionally rounder shapes.
iteration
my iteration involved building the bird's silhouette out of a collection of perfect circles, creating angles out of intersections and intentionally sparse lines. Below are several iterations paired with their geometric overlays for comparison.
refinement
final mark
part II - form analysis interpretive phrase
PART II FINAL COMPOSITION
The composition I finalized echoed visual elements such as water droplets and ripples to create abstract scenery I could set the mark within. The font I chose -- Host Grotesk -- mimicked the circles my creature mark was composed of. I chose to set the words 'sky' and 'river' in their respective literal locations to craft a typographic landscape.
