Translations

Translate a continuous tone photograph of a natural object into a series of graphic images. Creating reductive graphic form is an important skill for designers. Rather than simply using a software filter to mechanically change the texture of an image, graphic designers must use visual intelligence to accentuate some details of an image and push others into the background. Being able to translate a photograph or drawing into a variety of visual styles is essential.

Find an image from the natural world that is completely within the frame of the photograph. Do not choose celebrities or other syndicated consumer imagery. The image should be raw.

Adjust the contrast of the grayscale image and print it out on 8.5×11″ paper.

  1. outline
  2. silhouette
  3. stippling
  4. straight lines
  5. thin marker: outline the forms
  6. thin marker: fill in outlined forms
  7. expressive renderings
  8. different expressive renderings
  9.  still different expressive renderings

Do as many expressive renderings as possible 9 or 10…

Translations Round 2

  1. auto-trace: Use illustrator auto-trace
  2. curvy high contrast vector: adapt form outlines above
  3. geometric vector: adapt geometric outlines  above
  4. Pure Abstraction: Use a triangle to create all forms and values using that shape. Avoid letting the shapes touch each other

Round 3

  1. type illustration: use large and medium size letters. Do not use words. Evoke the dynamism of you creature.
  2. pixels: Use a 64 x 64 pixel grid at 72dpi. Black only, no gray.
  3. coloring book style: draw a cartoon character over the photo using lines. Digitize to enhance.
  4. geometric shape abstraction: simplify details / highlight essential features (eyes, claws, wings) using circles  & polygons
  5. geometric modified: working with the geometric shape abstraction, go in and unify the shapes, smooth them out, reintroduce organic forms to create a simplified high contrast version with repetitive shapes. Think ‘lizard’ below on page…
  6. Invent your own translation: create a completely new way of realizing the form of your animal

Scan
Once you are done scan (not photograph) all drawings, place them in Illustrator, print and trim them.

Dimensions: 6″ x 6″
Material: All work must be done in extra fine and thick black marker.

Due Tuesday, October 28
9 (see above) drawings scanned, printed and trimmed.

Due Thursday, October 30

  1. auto-trace: Use illustrator auto-trace
  2. curvy high contrast vector: adapt form outlines above
  3. geometric vector: adapt geometric outlines  above
  4. Pure Abstraction: Use a triangle to create all forms and values using that shape. Avoid letting the shapes touch each other

All work must printed and trimmed.

 

Due Thursday, November 6
All final Translations. Printed, Trimmed and in an envelope

  1. outline
  2. silhouette
  3. stippling
  4. straight lines
  5. thin marker: outline the forms
  6. thin marker: fill in outlined forms
  7. expressive renderings
  8. different expressive renderings
  9.  still different expressive renderings
  10. auto-trace: Use illustrator auto-trace
  11. curvy high contrast vector: adapt form outlines above
  12. geometric vector: adapt geometric outlines  above
  13. Pure Abstraction: Use a triangle to create all forms and values using that shape. Avoid letting the shapes touch each other
  14. type illustration: use large and medium size letters. Do not use words. Evoke the dynamism of you creature
  15. pixels: Use a 64 x 64 pixel grid at 72dpi. Black only, no gray
  16. coloring book style: draw a cartoon character over the photo using lines. Digitize to enhance
  17. geometric shape abstraction: simplify details / highlight essential features (eyes, claws, wings) using circles  & polygons
  18. geometric modified: working with the geometric shape abstraction, go in and unify the shapes, smooth them out, reintroduce organic forms to create a simplified high contrast version with repetitive shapes. Think ‘lizard’ below on page…
  19. Invent your own translation: create a completely new way of realizing the form of your animal
  20. Single Line: One line to define the form. Check out felix sockwell
  21. Gradient: choose a translation and give it gradients.

translations_samples

 

SILHOUETTEtranslations  ENHANCED SILHOUETTE translations3

GEOMETRIC TRANSLATIONtranslations8

STYLIZATIONtranslations2 GRAPHIC TRANSLATIONtranslations5GRAPHIC TRANSLATIONtranslations7 GRAPHIC TRANSLATIONtranslations6   ADVANCED GRAPHIC TRANSLATIONtranslations9

ABSTRACTIONtranslations4

GRAPHIC TRANSLATIONgraphic_translation PIXELIZEDpixel COLORING BOOKcolorbook