Role: Illustrator, Graphic Designer

Overview:

This personal project explores the intersection of traditional illustration and digital graphic design. I began with a hand-drawn illustration and then digitized and enhanced it, incorporating a repeating typographic treatment of Walt Whitman's famous quote, "Oh Captain, My Captain." The final piece is a poster that blends the organic feel of the original drawing with the clean, structured aesthetic of digital design.

Challenges:

• Balancing Styles: The main challenge was harmonizing the organic nature of the hand-drawn illustration with the precise, often geometric, qualities of digital design and typography. I wanted to ensure a cohesive final product where both elements complemented each other rather than clashed.

• Effective Typography: Choosing and arranging the "Oh Captain, My Captain" quote in a way that enhanced the illustration and contributed to the overall message of the piece required careful consideration of font, size, placement, and repetition.

My Approach:

• Digitalization: I meticulously digitized my hand-drawn illustration, preserving its unique textures and details while enhancing its clarity and scalability.

• Typography Exploration: I experimented with various fonts, sizes, and arrangements of the "Oh Captain, My Captain" quote, eventually settling on a design that complemented the illustration and created a visually dynamic composition. The repetitive use of the quote was intended to create a visual rhythm and emphasize the poem's emotional power.

• Composition and Color: I carefully considered the overall composition of the poster, ensuring that the illustration and typography worked together harmoniously. I also paid close attention to color choices, selecting a palette that enhanced the mood and message of the piece.

• Blending Techniques: I explored different techniques to seamlessly integrate the digital typography with the digitized illustration, creating a cohesive and visually compelling final poster.

Conclusion:

The "Oh Captain, My Captain" poster is a personal exploration of the interplay between traditional illustration and digital graphic design. It represents my ability to combine artistic mediums and create a visually striking piece that conveys both aesthetic beauty and deeper meaning. This project allowed me to experiment with typography, composition, and color, further developing my skills as both an illustrator and graphic designer. [Optional: Mention any specific software used or techniques explored if you want to highlight those skills. Also, consider adding a brief statement about what the poem means to you or what inspired the project to add another layer of interest.]