“Design is the intermediary between information and understanding.”
—Hans Hoffman
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How do you create a dynamic symbol that conveys a visual narrative using type and image?

The objective of this exercise is to explore to understand the relationship between type, image & content, by visually representing your family in a contemporary and dynamic symbol, Coat of Arms of Family Shield.

You will first be asked to thoroughly investigate and document in writing the history of who you are. What is your heritage? What are your customs? Origins of your family name? What colors have meaning to your family? What symbols? Think of Momentos, Banknotes, Stamps. Think of your mother language and your family’s migration history. Consider genealogy, historic vs contemporary roots, and other aspects of filiation.

Through your research you will call up your mom, dad, aunts, uncles and ask questions. You will identify family traditions, inside jokes, phrases, myths, etc. Next, you will gather images of reference. This might include looking at existing family crests/images/photos and consider what shapes, symbols, colors, styles are used and how can these inspire your own choices.

Through image-making experiments in. combination with typography, you will create a dynamic and engaging symbol that reveals a visual narrative about your family. We will explore how the visual elements relate in form, composition, messaging and our interactions as the viewer. This will involve experimenting with form and interpretation while gaining a greater understanding of the principles of visual language.

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Project Brief

Create a complex symbol that best tells a narrative about your family. Your illustration should integrate words + images that highlight specific details or points of interest in your family history. This narrative (using text and image) could be informative, humorous, thought-provoking or ironic. This narrative should communicate a unique perspective about your family. Your images should be simplified symbols that allow for a quick read and you should consider color to be used as a strategic design element.

Specs
8 x 8
Complex symbol created in illustrator
Color must be used in a strategic manner
DUE Feb 5th

Project Brief
P1_A-Symbol-of-our-Family_2026

Documents
4×4 Cell Sketch Template

Visual References — Emblems, Crests & Coat Of Arms

Creating a Family Crest, Scout Stevenson
Department of Space & Land Reclamation, by Nim Ben-Reuven
NYC Soccer Club, Alphalpha Studios
Design FC, Youth Design Organization
Youth Poet Laureate programs, Urban Word NYC
The Green Night, by Nim Ben-Reuven
Unger Family Crest, By Alen Pavlovic
Girl Scouts, Original Champions Of Design
Game Of Thrones Family Crest Lineup, Thomas Gateley
Johnson & Johnson’s iconic logo, JNJ.com
Sá & Almeda Family Crest, Jennifer Sá
Logo Design 101: The Coat of Arms, Crest and Shield
Typeface Design, Abstract The Art of Design – Jonathan Hoefler
Designing for the world: Japanese pictograms at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics
James Barnard |LOGO Presentation

Visual Interpretations

COP 25th Global Climnate Change Conference, Shangning Wang

image source: hallogenealogyservices.com/services-offered