The Crest
Project

Family crests are a part of many cultures around the world. For example, in Japan “Kamon” have been used for over 900 years (and there are over 20,000 kamon still in use today.) While the origins and styles of these personal emblems may differ, their primary goal is to serve as:

  • a personal identifier

  • an expression one’s heritage, interests, or personality.

Such crests often take the form of simple, abstract elements including:

  • Shapes/Patterns

  • Tools/Objects

  • Plants/Animals

  • Letterforms

These elements are typically encapsulated within a circle or other basic shape. So as a starting point for this project, you’ll want to take a close look at a lot of kamon, emblems, and monograms - paying close attention to elements and principles at work in these symbols.

As an example of crest styles and workflows, check out these samples.

Assessment

As with all Pro Projects, your Crest Project will be assessed by:

  • Professionalism - Project is done "to spec", follows directions, and fulfills all requirements.

  • Craftsmanship - Project exhibits an admirable application of design principles, an aesthetic style, and use of app workflows.

  • Challenge - There is producible evidence that the final design underwent the entire design process and was significant challenging.

  • Originality - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template, AI generated in part or whole, or a reproduction of a tutorial).

    Note: Images referencing drug use, guns, violence, hate speech, etc. are not permitted.

 

Process

1. Communicate

Because the Crest Project requires you to be both the client and the designer, the design process is simplified a bit from the traditional Graphic Design Process (which you should be familiar with):

So you will still communicate, but with yourself. Do some self-examination, and write a short design brief based on the following questions:

  • What aspects of my personality do I want my crest to evoke?

  • What interest of mine can I allude to?

  • What types of lines, shapes, patterns, styles, etc. resonate with me?

2. Research

Based on your design brief, visit the following websites and conduct focused searches.

Kamon
Logobook
TheNounProject
Google Images (monograms)

If an images resonates with you, screen grab it (CMD+Shift+4 on a Mac, Win + Shift + S on a PC) and drop the collective images into gomoodboard. Note: You should have at least 20 images to reference.

3. Ideate

Based on your moodboard, grab your sketchbook and draw at least 6 possible solutions.

From these initial 6 solutions, selected one favorite (or a combination of your top two) . Flip the page over and draw 6 new variations based upon the initial solution you selected.

From this second round of 6, pick your top solution.

Before you fully commit, get some feedback from classmates, family, . . . anyone you can. Listen to learn - and be open to suggestions - you might come up with an even better solution with some outside feedback.

4. Formalize

Using Illustrator, either draw from scratch or import/trace your top solution. Paying close attention smooth curves, aligned edges and other professional standards (see “Specs & Standards” below).

 

Specs & Standards

 

Once you are ready to vectorize your artwork, your crest should be setup and turned in with the following specs:

  • 1200px X 1200px

  • RGB

  • .ai file format

  • A white emblem contained within a black frame (circle, shield, etc) on white background

  • Align the crest to the optical center of the artboard with enough padding to provide some white space “breathing room”.

 

Issues and
Guidlines

While more personal, an crest shares the same standards and qualities of a monogram or logo. Scroll down to view some common issues and helpful guidelines.

 

CONSISTENCY

Consistency is the secret to creating a sense of unity. Make sure stroke widths, fills, and the overall style has the same specs and feel.

SHAPES AND FRAMES

Artboard 3 copy.jpg

Sometimes a simple shape or frame can enhance a monogram. But avoid complex framing and busy illustration.

PRECISE AND CLEAN

Be careful to align shapes and paths with precision using the grid. Center your design solution and clean up stray marks, gaps, etc.

NEGATIVE SPACE

Artboard 7 copy.jpg

Reverse type (white on black) and negative space can add cleverness, but always keep legibility in mind.