Sketches and Rough Ideas

For some the design process is a laborious task. Over my time here I have found out that my productivity level is greater if I sketch and map out my ideas before taking them to a computer. Some my argue that this makes the overall design process drag on further, but to me this makes more sense than the false starts that tend to happen if you lack an initial idea when opening Photoshop or Illustrator.


During my first meeting w/ Joesph it was addressed that the Theater Dept. head (Jerry?) wanted to incorporate the main characters in some sense of fashion into each design. Mapping out these requests it became apparent that one of the best ways to accomplish this would be through silhouette figures.


Having found myself unfamiliar with the majority of these productions I deduced a certain degree of research would be necessary. In Shakespeare's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," themes of existentialism and death come to mind, fitting given that the story takes place in the same timeline as "Hamlet." With a bloodbath figuring into the story I wanted to subtly incorporate this using a downward flow on the page. Seeing stills from the film version -- speficially on with the leads each having a noose tied around their neck allowed me the creatve liberty necessary to simulate a blood flow using shadows instead of actual blood. three themes came to mind. With coins and blood both figuring prominently along with existentialism I wanted to incorporate the flowing appearance but with shadow instead of blood.


Not feeling satisfied with the initial sketch I opted to draw out two more ideas. One following in the same line of ideas as the first, the other inspired by some of the logos for "Watchmen."


The first of two 'alternates' incorporates the shadows found in the previous sketch but instead of a skull, that flowing shadows lead into the ocean where we see a ship billowing in the wind, likely signifying the ship that both of the lead characters attempt to escape on.


The other idea draws upon the blood/smiley face logo from "Watchmen" Instead of a cheerful 70's logo however the idea consists of two coins, each with a likeness of one of the two leads. As it turns out I felt that this idea may be the more dynamic of the bunch. While this idea doesn't necessarily fit within Jerry's approach I feel that this design might be able to emphasize that this story is more tragic than most.


For "A Christmas Carol" I wanted to do something that wasn't as obvious, making one question just what the image really was. Whether I was successful or not, I do like the initial design as gives
a greater sense of what may be going on...


The idea I had for "Brigadoon" resembles some initial ideas I had about the progress. By simply having two figures stading in front of a huge full moon it would turn out to be almost too cliche. So I opted to include a postcard that could also sub as a postcard letting the audience in one the title while maintaining a sense of mystery to the average theater-goer. Someone has asked if I am planning on incorporating texture graphics in the final designs. The notion of texture let me think more out side the box in terms of overall composition as it would be great to photograph actual grass to incorporate on the greens. Also I would love to give the posters each a folded texture - creases and all. However with this semester flying by a blazing pace, putting textures in is my least bit worries.


More to come in the following days, including a first pass at Tennessee William's "Summer and Smoke" plus more sketches with the hope to get into the digital phase by the end of the week.

Tick Tock.....