Part of this module is creating a monogram using our initials to represent us as a “brand” and identity. We were shown monograms from medieval times, and some more contemporary ones to help us. Some of the more interesting ones we were shown were signatures from Medieval Stone Masons (shown below).
I started just by writing out my initials, and then going down a line and seeing how far I could push them, how graphic I could make them whilst still maintaining the main form. I then moved on to a grid system, keeping each monogram roughly the same size and seeing how they feel in a defined space.
My sketching process is shown below, with the final image detailing the designs I wanted to move forward with after peer and tutor feedback.
With these sketches ready, I moved on to designing in illustrator for vectors. I’m aware that my design will probably change a lot over the course of this module, so these are just preliminary designs.
Both I and my feedback group enjoyed the idea of one of R being hidden inside of the B, as in both upper case and lower case they are structurally similar. I made two examples and used colour to show where the difference would be. I did this by using the path tool in illustrator, and making a lot of cuts and joins. I also discovered the live paint bucket tool in this session, which made filling without completing a full path much easier.
The bottom three designs are ones that interested me more personally, and I felt that they needed to be expressed digitally for the concept to come through properly. The bottom left one is the initials RB back to back, mostly completely symetrical apart from the kick out of the R. The two in the right are two versions of the same concept, wherein a staggered line is used to represent a more digital, editing aspect.
I explored a nother version of the bottom left logo as well, shown below. I thought that this would be more graphic, but I feel that it loses the legibility a lot, and the original of this didn’t have a lot to lose in the first place. Still, I think it’s interesting.
I look forward to developing more ideas as this project progresses!
Prosaic Vocabulary 