Some of my most recent work.
Lately I’ve been branching out and exploring different styles of design. I dont’ feel I’ve strayed from the fundamental roots that I’ve learned. These roots include principals of color, white space, and movement. However I do feel that I am moving away from the ultra plain ultra obvious type of design and getting into an exploratory mode.
One area I feel I am branching out (as far as my own designs are concerned) is color. While I do have a strange affinity toward monochromatic or even duotone designs, I am learning just how to design with not even a full spectrum but tri tone and quad tone. It adds an entirely new dimension.
When color is not in the equation, the only parties responsibility for movement on a page are size, form, and density. But when color is on the page, a completely new element is responsible for one’s eye crawling across your pages or screen. I can’t decide in my mind whether color or form holds a greater posession on the eye. No matter how crazy a black shape you have, if there is a red dot in its center, your eye will be sucked into the red dot.
Another element that I am learning and exploring is depth. This all started really because of a friend of mine (Cindy Tsang’s) critique of one of my pieces. So take this very simple drawing. Now take the words underneath the piece. There is a great conflict in my brain as far as depth is concerned. The writing because of it’s opacity appears to be behind the tree. Though because of overlap, we know it is placed in front of the tree. This might be okay if it carried the same dimensional qualities as the tree. Do you see the problem? So I guess I would have to say I’m learning the idea of recession into space without using a plain. Rather recision purely by color and weight.
Thats what I’m pondering right now. But in the mean time here are some of my most recent pieces I thought I’d share.
- Theophilus layout (Alpha)
- VOX Postcards 1, 2, 3
- Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, FOPC Reflect Business Card
Theres more. But nothing I want to post at the moment. Cheers! We’re off to a great week!
September 11th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I believe the exploration of design is essential for proper growth, and boy, all of us need to constantly keep growing! Your work is evolving really nice David and I appreciate your illustrations and color combinations. Also, the hand-made ornamentations, especially seen in the FOPC Reflect Business card, are a creative and compelling style that I am beginning to see more of from you. My eye is drawn to the different intervals within the circles; it’s almost a unique signature that you’re honing onto. Very good.