SKETCHES
The sketches I picked in my opinion really defines the quote “Still I Rise”. Some utilizing physical representation of the quote like a phoenix and a eyeball. The steps I took to make these Visual Sketch Quotes was a little bit difficult but overall a fun experience. First I had to think of a quote that I like and can resonate with, that being “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. This quote resonates with me as it mainly focuses on self respect and confidence. That nothing in the world can bring me down as long as I believe in myself and the abilities I have. The second step was to figure out a way how I can turn this quote into multiple designs that means what the quote says. I began sketching a few ideas, trying out a few different typeface styles involving the quote. Afterwards I began to draw things that can bring out the meaning of the message in a more upfront way. Once I made about six designs I then began to craft them in Adobe Illustrator using a 8.5 and 5.50 page.
CONCEPT 1
The first design is of a phoenix rising into the sky, spreading its wings beginning to soar. The placing of the words are crucial to this design as I placed each letter on a single wing, but distinguishing the letter “I” to the main body of the phoenix itself. This creates nice bit of symbolism.
CONCEPT 2
This concept is more of a simpler one as it includes a rebus. A rebus is when you use a picture to replace a word but the meaning is still the same. The picture of the eye gives a clear replacement for the letter “I” in “Still I Rise”. The placement of the words “Still” and “Rise” are also used in a way to make them seem like eyelashes.
CONCEPT 3
This design is a little more abstract as I created a connection from still I rise to another piece of work Maya Angelou created which was a poem called “Alone”. In a section of this poem Maya Angelou mentions people are rich and live lavishly, and explains how money and other materialistic things cannot be an escape goat and fill the feeling of being alone. By pushing and bettering yourself only then you can find happiness. The pearl in my design is a common trope used to associate with the rich like diamonds and other gemstones. I included to saying of “Still I Rise” to showcase that even if you’re successful and rich there is always room for improvement as no one in this world is perfect. I also made a small decision to have the I’s cross themselves giving a little bit of symbolism that you don’t need pearls and diamonds to feel happiness.
