While at college, I had the opportunity to take a color theory class, which I thought would benefit my design. Two of the projects we were assigned were warm and north light studies, where we were allowed to use whatever medium befit us to create our own versions of references our professor supplied. I decided to do my studies on the same object in the two different lighting arrangements, and I believe collectively these were my best works in the class as well as my personal favorites. I purposefully limited myself to Adobe Illustrator to complete both, opting for vector shapes and spot gradients to produce a semi-realistic yet flat "painted" effect.
The first one is my version of the warm light study:
Next is my version of the north light study:
These images are of my steps in the process of recreating the reference. We were specifically instructed not to trace the original, so these were done side-by-side by approximation.
Here is the warm light reference compared to my version:
Here is the north light reference compared to my version:
And here are my two versions side-by-side:
Overall, I felt this project was a big turning point in my design style, and allowed me to experiment with and learn more about application of gradients, how to assemble a complete design from vector "pieces", and how graphic design can be translated into an art form rather than a purely clinical medium of communication.
