Crafting the 'Nothing to See Here' Illustration Set: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Creating empty state illustrations for a project is a crucial aspect of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.
I made this project as an experiment to create empty state illustration that could be used on web or mobile screens of any kind (regardless the industry).
THE ILLUSTRATIONS
ILLUSTRATION 1
In this illustration, the character is looking through the telescope into what looks like oblivion. I am using the telescope here as the visual metaphor here to depict emptiness.
It is ironic of course because you should be able to see with a telescope. The irony is the point and why this illustration works for this context.
The illustration style here is:
1. Black Outlines
2. Black shadows
3. An almost geometric style
The illustration style here :
1. No outlines
2. Defined Shadows
3. An almost geometric style
4. Bright colours
5. Brown Skin colour for characters
Mock Up of the illustration in use
ILLUSTRATION 2
This was my favourite illustration from the set. The visual metaphor here was showing an art director walking through a museum and pointing the museum visitors to an art piece that is empty. There is nothing to see there.
The illustration style here is:
1. Black Outlines
2 .No color/fill
The illustration style here is:
1. Black Outlines
2 . Intermittent use of color/fill on body parts.
3. Sharp edges (somewhat geometric)
4. Grain Effect
Mock Up of the illustration in use
ILLUSTRATION 3
With this illustration, a woman with an exaggerated bow on her head is seen trying to cover her eyes with her eyes closed. She is closing her eyes, hence 'there's nothing to see here'.
The illustration style here is:
1. No Outlines
2. No Background illustrations
3. Use of Color
4. Pattern on dress
The illustration style here is:
1. No Outlines
2.Background illustration
3. Use of Color
4. Pattern on dress
Mock Up of the illustration in use
Mock Up of the illustration in use
CHALLENGE I FACED
The major challenge I faced was with exporting the illustration I created a grain effect for. I was unable to export it properly with the effect intact. I still haven't figured out how to export it till date.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was a very fruitful exercise for me. It really has encapsulated how much i have grown as a product illustrator and also shown me ways that I can obviously improve and create better.
Writing this case study is a high point for me also. I am taking myself seriously as a product designer and rightly so.
