Icon Set
For this project the challenge was to research a topic and explores ways to visually represent the chosen topic with illustrated icons. The topic I chose to explore was meditation. Requirements of the project included maintaining visual cohesiveness between six icons and limiting the icon set to three PMS colors and shades of the PMS colors.
I began this project by listing potential topics I could visually explore. From here I used mind mapping to capture my existing knowledge of meditation and expanded my knowledge by doing some research. Meditation history, symbolism, benefits, and techniques were all explored during the research phase. After this step I used coding to organize my research into six themes of meditation.
I landed on 1. The importance of self reflection and self discovery
2. The physical effects of meditation and the potential to grow
3. Physical reminders are grounding and are a reminder to practice
4. Sounds can be a gateway, especially when you are new to the practice
5. The importance to connect to others and our environment
6. The importance of balance and paying attention to energy
At this point I also added notes about colors to my sketches. I wanted a calming feel overall.
Gold- important and very common in Buddhist mysticism, represents knowledge, enlightenment, purity, happiness and freedom
Blue- feels tranquil, is a grounding color
Pinkish/Red- looked great with the other colors, also helped my icons to be understood
I used Google Material Guides to determine size of icons and ensure visual weight was complimentary. My first iteration received feedback that the brain was not connecting with people.
My second iteration included Mala beads which symbolize a wearable representation of your practice.
