Illustration

An illustration is a depiction or representation of something. A photograph is an actual image of something. In Design we created illustration based on our personal statements in Adobe Illustrator. We had to include a gradient mesh, a gradient, and a symbol that represents our personal statement. I used the pen tool to create all of my symbols.

The symbols I chose represent my personal essay because they show connections. My main symbol, a flower, shows connections because flowers require connections for survival. The flower must connect to the stem, which must connect to the roots, which must be connected to the ground. Flowers are dependent on their connections. In my illustration the stem of the flower is intertwined with the chain, a further connection because they are combined. My second symbol, a chain, shows connections because each link connects to the next and they build off each other. Without connections the chain would just be separate pieces, and not useful. My third symbol, paper cranes, show connections because in origami one must connect the paper to itself in a specific way to get the end result they want. There are many ways to fold to paper showing that the end product of connections is very diverse and each is unique. In my background I used a gradient because the colors fade into one another and blend. This shows connections because when connecting with someone, you can adopt some of their mannerisms, idea, or ways.

I faced many difficulties in creating my illustration, however my greatest challenge was my chain. I originally traced it with the pen tool, however there was a fill in the spaces between the links, where I did not want it. I spent a lot of time adjusting the chain, trying to get to go where I wanted it, and to look how I wanted it. Eventually I had changed so many things it didn’t look quite like a chain any more. I tried doing it again. This time was more successful, however when it came to getting the color, shading, and shadow of the chain right, I faced a new challenge. I continued to try new tools, new angles, and new colors. Eventually after trying many different things I found a color and gradient mesh that worked. Another challenge was trying to figure out how I was going to connect all my symbols in one illustration. Eventually I decided to wrap my flower around the chain and make multiple cranes around it. Creating my illustration was difficult, however overcoming these challenges just makes me prouder of the end product.