Collaborative Practice - Save the Children: Planet Illustrations

Over the last few days I have created a range of planet illustrations. Before I began to create them I researched what other illustrations had been created so that I could get a better idea of what they should look like. Below are three examples of images I considered before I began designing. 

The design style needed to remain simple and look like paper cut outs. This helps all the designs to retain the same style and work together to create a stronger design aesthetic. The first thing Ness and I did was cut out some more planets out of paper. We then scanned them in so that we could use them as a template. 

After they were all scanned in, I began to transform them into illustrations which we could then both use throughout the designs.

Mercury

Mercury has been kept relatively simple. When I originally designed it it was grey but this gave it a dull look and it looked more like a moon. The purple has inserted colour and fun into the smallest planet.

Venus

Venus originally designed with paper didn't work as well on screen. However I created this affect by accident and I think it works quite well. Venus is brightest planet in our solar system so this was something we were both eager to show. Yellow and the contrasting orange help to show the brightness.

Earth

The soft green and blue compliment each other and work well to create a representation of Earth. The land shapes have been simplified so that it does not over complicate the design as well as making sure it fits in with the paper cut out style.

Mars

Mars is otherwise known as the 'Red Planet' the use of a strong red makes it instantly recognisable and the grey craters imply the bumpy surface of Mars.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the biggest planet and known for its huge red spot - an anti-cyclonic storm which has been constant for over 400 years! The lines across the mass of jupiter have been shown in the illustration by using simple warm colours in mixed and matched wavy lines. 

Saturn

Saturn is known for its rings which have been illustrated with orange and red lines. 

Uranus

Uranus is a matt light blue and appears to be smooth (at least in colour). The thin grey line around it represents the ring which was thought to have been created when one or more of Uranus' moons were destroyed. The design is simple but accurately reflects Uranus.

Neptune

 Neptune's design needed to be simple as the planet we see just appears blue. The fluid lines across the planet represent the cold windy atmosphere.

Now that I have illustrated all the planets, both Ness and myself can use them across multiple designs.