Oracle of Symbol Forms
For this brief I chose to base my Oracle around the theme of a compass. My idea was that the user would use the oracle to ‘map’ out their future from the predictions offered. The ‘Destiny Compass’ is split into two themes; ‘The Dark Side’ and ‘The Light Side’. This allowed me to create negative and positive predictions. The base of the compass is divided into North, South, East & West. This helps the user to navigate around the circumference of the oracle and also where to point the compass. I chose to instruct the user to point the compass to the North as the North is positive and aims towards The Light Side of the board. This helps the user to hope for positive predictions.
The compass is further divided into six categories from which the elements of prediction stem- Air, Light, Earth, Water, Dark & Fire. This enabled me to have themes for the twelve symbols in which I had to create. Each of the above categories are split into two again containing Wind, Breath, Sun, Day, Earth, Tsunami, Night, Eclipse, Bushfire and Heat. These elements were each assigned a colour. This allows the user to easily look up their predictions by colour association in the reference book. I chose colours that easily related to the themes such as red for the hot themes and blue for the cooler, water based themes.
Each of my symbol forms are created within a circle. This is because the emcompassing nature of the shape allows for a broad interpretation of the predictions expressed as well as fullfillment. I have also used polygons as a core shape with my design. My ability to break up the themes from the points of this shape was very effective and also added geometical interest and a modern flare from adding this shape.
I used texture mainly within my reference card as I felt that each of my photoshop collages evoked the emotions brought forth from the text. This also sharpened parraells between the symbols and the natural elements that they stem from.
For the symbol forms themselves, I focused on Bushfire & Flood. These were both strong element that I thought were visually dynamic in their vector based symbol forms. From this I extended on them from adding texture and more varity in hues to create the mood of each element. As the aim of this brief was to create a contemporary and modern design, I used metal hoops and wire to add a industrial edge. However, the design still had to be spirtual and not too harsh. To do this I added coloured beads to aid my design. Targeted towards women, I thought that using colours profiled in my young females colour profile helped narrow in on my market.
In reflecting on this brief, I think that it was successful. Although time constraints and a complex concept seemed impossible to produce in such short time. I am happy with my final outcomes.
