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

Comments

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...

Business Card

Using InDesign, I was able to incorporate deep symbolism into each design to create personal business cards that truly reflected who I am. The first card represents the light I bring into people's lives; it has a captivating eye. My presence brings joy and support, much like the eye is a window to the soul. The vivid green color represents my name, Jaide, like the priceless Jade stone. The second card, with the initials "JG," pays tribute to my ancestry and my great-great-grandmother's name Georgiane. Finally, the third card's bright blue color represents my zodiac sign, Pisces, which is a sensitive and adaptable water sign. These cards were mostly created by hand using InDesign's rectangle tool to create the color backgrounds. In order to achieve the ideal colors and make sure every shade had the intended meaning, the Adobe Color Wheel was essential. Using the fill Gradient tool to provide depth and dimension, the second card's design was a particularly ...

Calligramme

- Jaide Edwards Embracing that I am a Pisces, I am unique because of the difficulties I faced as a baby due to my brachial plexus, which shaped my life from the beginning. Despite experiencing chronic pain, my disability inspired a strong will and led me to pursue a career for public relations and journalism. I tried to incorporate the Pisces symbol into my artistic expression while exploring ways to set it apart from the traditional interpretation. This graphic depiction not only conveys the astrological essence but also the courage that comes from overcoming adversity in life. Using Illustrator on adobe design software, I created this profound graphic that represents my path as a Pisces. With the anchor pen tool, I carefully sketched the picture. Precise sentence arrangement was made easier by the direct selection tool, which improved the visual storytelling. By utilizing the type on path feature, I was able to include text into each layout with ease and create a coherent story. Usin...

Creative Insights with Jaide

Search This Blog