4 - illustrator text

Text illustration – where are you going?

Locate some text – a poem, song, quote or something that you wrote – that addresses your thoughts concerning where you are going. What do you expect for yourself as an artist, a student and/or a human?

Part 1: Use the text, distort and gradient tools to transform the body of text that you brought to class so that it visually represents the content. Copy (or type) the text into layer one of the document, which should be letter size (8.5x11”). On the same layer, type in your intention: ask yourself why you chose the text that you chose. Now simplify the meaning of that text to one phrase, and try to communicate that idea using text as imagery. Create a second layer and copy the same text onto it, then lock layer 1 and hide it—I’ll look at layer one to get an idea of what text you used and the idea that you want to communicate.

It isn’t important that the text is legible—instead, use it as a starting point and see where you end up. Make sure that your end result supports and illustrates the initial text & intention in a significant manner, while still maintaining a sense of interest.

Save the file as “your name text.”

Part 2: Now that you’ve got a text-only drawing that fully illustrates the original body of text, lock layer 2 and create a new layer to work on.

Add an image to the text drawing that adds a new dimension to your text drawing, and enhances the point of the text. You might want to copy some layers of text from layer two so that your imagery isn’t entirely on the top surface of the drawing, and you might want to rely on layering and grouping to create a more integrated look.

This is due next week, and will be critiqued at the start of class.

Homework:

1. Complete the text assignment.
2. Bring a digital photo of yourself to class next week. We’ll be working on a self portrait, and you’ll need an image to start with. If you forget this, we’ll snap a quick shot in class.