Project Brief: You will create a six-word memoir and use that memoir to create a printed poster. Each word should express the meaning of the word it is describing. You may use one style, but make sure that style expresses the meaning of the entire phrase. At least one to two words must use an analog/hand process.

Class: Typography

Professor: Tasheka Arceneaux Sutton

Time: Two Weeks

Designer: Just Me

Tools used: Adobe Illustrator, Rhino 3D, Letraset, paper, and marker.

Ideation

Right away I knew I wanted to create something related to the show Kung Fu (1972) since it has been a large part of my upbringing and there are a lot of quotes that contain much wisdom which I could use for my six-word memoir. I created 10 phrases could I use for the poster.

The nickname “Grasshopper” is a term of endearment and reflects the relationship between the wise, elderly Master Po and the young Protagonist (Caine).

The use of "Grasshopper" is a metaphor for Caine's journey as a student and his quest for knowledge and wisdom in the martial arts. In Asian cultures, the grasshopper is often seen as a symbol of virtue and good luck, and its association with Caine suggests that he is a humble and eager learner.

I believe the nickname “Grasshopper” could also be applied to me since I’m currently on a quest for knowledge and wisdom in Design.

Research and Inspiration

https://youtu.be/Rvu5YcmYhSQ?si=RAC3j_38qAkCcomR

I was inspired by the serenity, color palette, and overall ambiance of the opening scene, I believed it would make a great background for my poster.

I also wanted to make my fonts inspired the the martial art Kung fu, however, I didn’t want to make it look stereotypical to the Chinese culture. I learned that it's essential to approach the design with cultural sensitivity and awareness. Balancing these elements is crucial to creating a respectful and authentic representation. I considered exploring calligraphic strokes and dynamic lines that capture the essence of martial arts, emphasizing their elegance and strength.

Sketches

I practiced various different methods of designing words to let my mind free and explore new ways of creating typography. I liked how the marker strokes looked unrefined on the word “steel” and I thought I could use that on the word “Grasshopper” due to its representation of me and my unrefined qualities as a student.