Illustrator is essential in Strategic Communication for creating scalable graphics like logos, typography, and branding materials. Understanding vector tools, spot colors, and font manipulation allows for professional-quality designs that can be used across print and digital platforms, skills that directly apply to real-world marketing, advertising, and brand identity work.
For this project, I designed a personal logo in Adobe Illustrator. In the first part of the assignment, I focused on developing brand identity by sketching and conceptualizing Retro Fisch, a fictional vintage clothing store inspired by my passion for resale fashion. The logo features a cartoon fish wearing a top hat and shoes, symbolizing both my last name, Fischer, and the store’s playful retro aesthetic.
For the second part of this project, I brought the sketch to life using Illustrator tools such as shape tools and compound paths. I incorporated shapes and used negative space intentionally to enhance visual interest and balance. The final color palette included chartreuse and muted teal, chosen to reflect vintage charm and style. A bold, retro-inspired typeface was used to complement the brand’s identity, and all text was converted to outlines to ensure scalability and print compatibility. The logo was finalized in both a full-color and K-only version for versatile use in print and web marketing. This project emphasized brand storytelling, typography, and technical vector design skills.
This project focused on exploring the emotional and professional impact of typography in both personal and brand identity. Using Adobe Illustrator, I created a file featuring my first name in three distinct fonts: Noteworthy (2), Minion Variable Concept, and Bodoni 72. After styling the text, I converted all fonts to outlines to ensure compatibility across devices and output environments.
Through this exercise, I analyzed how each font reflected aspects of my personality and potential use in branding or professional contexts. I reflected on how typography shapes first impressions and how different font styles align with different industries, ranging from playful and creative to professional and elegant. This project emphasized the importance of font selection in visual communication, especially in branding and design presentations.
