For design projects, the journey from start to finish is often more fascinating than the final product. I want to walk you through a previous commission that utilized various tools and techniques to create a stunning, illustrated mural for the LSU of Alexandria campus.
Conceptualization and Layout with Adobe Photoshop
Every great design starts with a concept. The project brief specified that the artwork should capture the university's many academic sights or locations. These depictions would give a sense of history and growth, showing how the campus has evolved since it accepted its first students in 1960.
I began by composing a rough layout of the university’s architecture using Adobe Photoshop. This powerful tool allowed me to adjust the scale of various elements and get a feel for how everything fits together. The flexibility of Photoshop and years of practice made this process fast and seamless. Once I was satisfied with my layout, I printed out the composition that would serve as a template for the next step of the process.
Sharpie Art On Acrylic
With my printed composition in hand, I placed it under an acrylic glass sheet. This step can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking - this is where the design starts to come to life, but it also requires patience and attention to detail.
Where I may lack traditional artistic skills, I make up with in resourcefulness and problem-solving. Using a set of Sharpies, I carefully traced the design onto the glass and then expanded on the composition by adding my own stylistic embellishments where they felt right. The Sharpies provided simple, bold lines that contrast well and make intricate details stand out.
Ink to Vector with Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer
After the drawing was complete, it was time to convert it into a vector image. This digital format allows the design to be scaled to any size without losing quality, making it perfect for everything from small promotional items to the massive 220-foot wide mural.
For this process, I utilized both Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer. With several hours spent in Illustrator, I was able to redraw 70% of the artwork. Meanwhile, Affinity Designer provided valuable tools, such as brush acceleration, that allowed me to add the remaining details and organic shapes. I continued to refine the artwork until I was satisfied with the results.
Reflections on the Journey
The outcome of this intensive process was a mural that represents the deeply inspiring commitment, passion, and dedication that the LSUA community embodies. My hope is that this piece of modern art will inspire and excite everyone who sees it, just as it has for me.
Looking back, the journey of creating this illustration was an incredible experience. It was an exercise in patience, creativity, technical skills, and, most importantly, perseverance. Each stage presented its own unique challenges, but overcoming them brought a sense of satisfaction and art appreciation.
