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"
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.
