What a Single Letter of the Alphabet Can Do for Art

This project is to create a color pattern based on a single letter.

The typeface is Luminari, but the swashy 'S' in is an alternate glyph, not the default character. In Adobe Illustrator, there is a feature that automatically uses alternate glyphs. Someone else using a different program or a simpler version of the font might not see the same character when they type 'S'. I knew I wanted a curvy design and a serif font, but none of the fonts I saw had enough swash to achieve the effect I wanted. Thus, the glyph effect. I prefer the design on the bottom left side. It reminds me of ribbons, which brings an 'other' quality to the look. I also like the new shape created when two serifs overlapped. The other shapes are either less interesting or, in the case of the one on the bottom right, the least successful. The serif overlap reminds me of pincers, such as those of a crab claw or a carpenter's tool. The vector outlines of the characters let me see areas to color that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

I selected the template from the bottom left of the prior image. I like how it flowed and that it reminded me of ribbons, which became my inspiration. I used the template two ways, vertical and horizontal. Then, I snuggled my motifs with alternating baselines. I did not make any changes to them for my black-and-white pattern.

In the color version, I changed the horizontal view by uniting two shapes to smooth and continue the ribbons. Because the ribbon motif reminded me of nobility and coats of arms, I chose to use Royal Red, Royal Blue, Royal Green, King's Yellow, and Royal Purple. I appreciate the boldness of the colors and decided my pattern would work better as huge, loud motifs.

I applied the pattern to a loose sketch of two dress outlines showing how I envision using this pattern for textiles. It reminds me of some loud and bold Finnish textile designs.