KCAD - Graphic Design Narratives

USPS Stamp Project

For my graphic design narratives class at KCAD, I was tasked with designing a series of fictional postal stamps. I chose to celebrate the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's most iconic architects. The project involved creating three stamps that highlighted Wright's most celebrated works, blending historical significance with modern design aesthetics.

Overview

  1. Research and Conceptualization:
    • I began by researching Frank Lloyd Wright's most iconic buildings, focusing on their architectural significance and visual appeal. The selected works were Fallingwater, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Meyer May House.
    • The concept was to create stamps that not only served as postage but also as miniature tributes to Wright's architectural genius.
  2. Illustration:
    • Using Clip Studio Paint, I created detailed illustrations of each building. Each illustration captured the unique architectural elements and essence of Wright's designs, ensuring they were visually striking and recognizable even at a small scale.
  3. Typography and Graphic Elements:
    • In Adobe Illustrator, I utilized a font that was designed by Wright himself in order to compliment the architectural style of his buildings.
    • Additional graphic elements, such as borders and decorative motifs, were added to enhance the overall design and give the stamps a cohesive look.
  4. Color and Detail Refinement:
    • Color palettes were chosen to reflect the materials and surroundings of each building. For example, Fallingwater featured earthy tones to match its natural setting, while the Guggenheim Museum used more modern, sleek colors.
    • Details in the illustrations were refined to ensure that each stamp was visually appealing and true to Wright's architectural style.
  5. Poster Layout in InDesign:
    • The final stamps were arranged into a poster layout using Adobe InDesign. This layout included the three stamps along with additional information about Frank Lloyd Wright and the significance of the featured buildings. The poster design was crafted to be both informative and visually engaging, suitable for display.

Result

The final designs were well-received in class, praised for their attention to detail and the effective use of typography and color. The stamps successfully captured the essence of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural legacy, making them not only functional as postage but also as collectible pieces of art. This project allowed me to explore the intersection of historical tribute and modern design, enhancing my skills in illustration, typography, and overall composition.