Current & Coast

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Current & Coast

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Current & Coast • Current & Coast •

A stylized blue and teal manta ray with wings spread, surrounded by blue water droplets. Overlaid with poetic text about grace, wings like silk, and the deep blue.

Photo Benchmarking and Sketches

I researched the Oceanic Manta Ray, a majestic sea creature recognized for its curved head fins (cephalic lobes), diamond-shaped body, striking black-and-white patterns, graceful movement, and playful nature.

Line drawing of various manta rays, some shaded and some outlined.
A step-by-step demonstration of drawing a stylized manta ray, starting from basic shapes and guides, progressing through outlining and detail addition, to final shading and lines.
A series of four artistic illustrations of a manta ray showing various stages of sketching, in a 2x4 grid, with some sketches being more detailed than others.
Progression of a digital drawing process of a manta ray, from initial sketch to refined outline, with black line art and construction circles.

Project Objective

The objective of the Creature Mark was to create a 2D, simplified geometric design of an animal, while highlighting its distinct features and characteristics that make it immediately recognizable.

Collection of underwater photographs featuring manta rays swimming in the ocean.

Digital Translations and Final Mark

A sketch of multiple manta rays on paper.
Black manta ray design on a white background, with construction grid lines on the right side.

Poetic Composition and Ideation

After finalizing our Creature Mark, we paired up with classmates to write several poetic options that included the name of our animal. Below is the chosen phrase.

Its wings like silk it sweeps the blue. A dance of grace in waters true. The manta ray in the deep blue.

Black and white illustration of a stylized manta ray with bold lines and circular patterns on wings.
A stylized drawing of a manta ray with flowy wings, accompanied by text that reads 'Its wings like silk,' 'It sweeps the blue,' and 'A dance of grace in waters true.' The background features grid lines.
Two artistic designs with scribbled text and abstract black shapes on graph paper backgrounds. The left side features a butterfly with text about wings and water, while the right side has overlapping text about wings, grace, and deep blue.
Four panels of stylized illustrations featuring manta rays and ocean elements with varying shades of blue and ocean-themed quotes about the manta ray and its graceful movement.

Final Composition and Mark

A stylized, abstract illustration of a butterfly with blue and light blue colors on a dark background. The image includes poetic text that reads: "It's wings like silk, it sweeps the blue. A dance of grace in waters true. The manta ray in the deep blue."