LOGO: The Doctor Bird

- Jaide Edwards

In the creation of my hummingbird-inspired artwork, I explored into the rich cultural history of Jamaica, drawing inspiration from the national symbol, the Doctor Bird. Rooted in the beliefs of the Arawak people, who considered it the 'God bird' with magical powers and the reincarnation of departed souls, this majestic creature holds profound significance. My personal connection to the Doctor Bird deepened through my mother's choice to have it permanently etched on her leg as a tattoo, serving as a lifelong reminder of our blessings. This symbolic resonance fueled the creation process, leading me to explore the intricate details of the bird's form using digital tools such as Adobe Illustrator.

Employing the pen tool and curvature tool, I meticulously traced the hummingbird's image, accentuating its curves and elegance. The selection tool and stroke tool were then employed to breathe life into the illustration, embodying the spirit of the Doctor Bird. As a Jamaican with a strong faith, I decided to infuse a touch of my personal identity into the artwork by incorporating my Pisces zodiac sign. Positioned as if the bird's beak is tenderly kissing the sign, this addition symbolizes a wish for luck, joy, and the removal of negative energy from my life.

The color palette plays a crucial role in conveying the complexities of my journey. Red, with a hint of black representing my birth injury, reflects the fear of not succeeding. However, the interplay of red and black ultimately signifies my strength and resilience over time. The Green and Yellow hues embody growth, promising illumination at the culmination of my aspirations. Lastly, the blue and purple hues encapsulate my desire for a peaceful and prosperous life, creating a harmonious representation of my holistic self. This hummingbird artwork is a testament to the intertwining of cultural significance, personal narrative, and the transformative power of art.

The Inspirations

The Sketch

B/W Version in Adobe Illustrator

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Portfolio

Completing my FMX Digital Media program at the University of Tampa has been an enriching journey, challenging me to expand my skills and creativity within the Adobe suite specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. As someone already immersed in the graphic design business, learning these software platforms not only broadened my capabilities but also refined my approach to visual storytelling. From the outset, navigating through the intricacies of Adobe Illustrator to the nuanced editing features of Photoshop, and the layout finesse of InDesign, each phase of this course presented its own hurdles and triumphs. Throughout this demanding course, I've encountered moments of struggle and growth, from the initial learning curve to mastering advanced techniques. Yet, with persistence and dedication, I've emerged equipped with a comprehensive understanding of Adobe tools that will undoubtedly serve me well in my future endeavors. Compiling this portfolio, I've curated a sel...

BW to Color

The strong emotional connection this image embodies led to the choice to colorize it from black and white. It was taken at a special photo session with my mother and captures the love, enduring bond, and trust that exist between us. When the artwork was first created in black and white, it had depth and inspiration that never went out of style. However, adding color again gave it fresh vibrancy and made the scene happier and more cheery. The vivid colors not only made the scene more visually appealing but also reflected the warmth and excitement that filled our relationship, turning a lovely moment into a spectacular celebration of connection and love. BW TO COLOR

PS HW 1

I'm excited to start learning how to use Photoshop's Spot Healing, Layer Mask, and Patch tools since they're essential to growing my graphic design business. With only one click, the Spot Healing tool ensures a perfect finish by streamlining the process of eliminating flaws and blemishes. Layer Masks are incredibly flexible; they let me play around with effects without changing the source picture, which improves my creative process. Finally, content-aware modifications are simple to accomplish with the Patch tool's smooth blending capabilities, which guarantees a polished and expert result for my designs. Their strong capabilities and user-friendly interfaces promise to improve the quality of my projects and speed my workflow, making them important tools for the growth of my business. Photoshop's Dodge, Burn, and Sponge tools are a valuable resource for both academic and personal projects since they allow me to accurately customize photos to my vision. I can add h...

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