WORD FILIGREE: INTRODUCTORY LEVEL SUMMARY DESIGN

    Word design is a good summary following Line, Texture and Color practices. It has 3 steps: word preparation, texture and color applications and final attachment of both parts together. It is designed horizontally, but is displayed vertically, as shown. The clarity of the word is minimized in this direction. Tilt your head to the left to read it. Did you figure it out? Hint: it's round, bounces and gets 1, 2 or 3 points in a game.

PART 1: WORD PREPARATION

  "Buffalo" is the sample word. Any word--name, place, game, etc. of 7-10 letters is fine. 6-7 allows more individual letter spacing on the 5 1/2" x 17" drawing paper.

  Part 1: Letters must touch the bottom edge. Lower case letters with drops like g, j, etc. must be designed in the manner of the double "f's". Some letters can be inside the bottom edge which will produce a larger shape opening in those areas in the final cutting.

  All letters must be widened to 1/2" or more and in a "designed" fashion. Contours can be angular, curved or in combination. Use the background space to form each letter. Draw a 2nd outline or "gesture draw" the widened widths in another crayon or marker color.

  Select a 12 X 18 colored construction pape. Fold it lengthwise. Staple the final design of thickened letters on top horizontally, folded edge down. Cut out the design, open it vertically and see an interesting connected line design. Set it aside. Now, on to the next part!

Image shows the double cut before being opened.

Part 2: COLOR AND TEXTURE FORMS

      Students were required to create 20 good, interesting visual or actual textures that would become part of their word filigree backgrounds. They created about 50 and selected the best from those. We began by reviewing Color Systems, Line Design and Texture. Students were free to mix and blend at will. Strong color and variety of line was important. Colored markers were ideal and quick providers. Now, left's move on to the next step Part 3 and we'll put it all together and see some nice examples!