This is the second version, without the white highlight of the sword. I quite like this version better, but I wasn't sure if the sword could be clearly recognized, hence why I added the highlight in the upper version.
Staying within the scope of Illustrator, I lose the image entirely because it cannot be manipulated in conjunction with the sword in this program. No modification of either image can be done, except for some scaling up on the sword because it is a downloaded vector image. Since it is unrecognizable in this form, I do not feel that I went outside the scope of the assignment by including an outside image.
But, you see, by changing it to the white background and the black words I have been forced by the program to change the meaning of my piece. The point is for the sword to be missing from the picture- but I cannot work with the image in Illustrator so I cannot change it from black. And having it read as a black image on a white background makes the sword present in the image, and not missing.
So, I have four versions of this assignment and the ones that I modified in Photoshop are much closer to what I originally conceptualized while the two created solely in Illustrator fall short of what I wanted. Que sera, sera.
I especially like the first version shown on your blog. The outline of the sword in white really draws your eye to the sword then once you read the words you understand the meaning of the sword according to the text. I also like the picture in the background because it adds the castle and typical "fairy tale" image to the words. Maybe you could try switching a meaningful word and put it upside down or add emphasis to the word "Saved" to create a difference throughout the page.
ReplyDeleteI like the outlined sword, but I like having to spend a little time interpreting what the void is more than being told (by the white outline) what it is. As you say, "The point is for the sword to be missing from the picture." If that is the case, then the erased version without the white outline suits that intention best. I like having to spend a bit of time looking and thinking to discover what it is, and to think about the words that have been omitted by the void/sword. I especially love that we can see "hero" has been erased by the sword's tip.
ReplyDeleteI really like the final version of your project that you ended up with. I see the progression as you moved along, changing the backgrounds and how the sword is portrayed. Keeping the sword within the same theme of the Windsor Castle as well as the fairy tale like poem ties the whole thing together. Even though it is the same phrase over and over again, by changing the fonts and spacing it did not feel repetitive.
ReplyDeleteI think the second version is your strongest. I love the words, lyrics from a Regina Spektor song, if I'm not mistaken :D At first glance, the piece looks like it could be a poster. The text adds interest and tension between a beautiful castle and defiant, self-assured words. Maybe it's because the song starts playing in my head when I read it, but I also get a sense of sadness and desperation. It makes me think of someone who is struggling, but won't accept help. The empty sword-shaped space asserts that sense of powerlessness and directs the viewer's attention to Windsor Castle in the background. The castle gets kind of lost when the highlighted sword is put in.
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