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CHAPTER 5

VISUAL DESIGN

5.1 Creative Process

5.1.1 Brainstorm

The process of brainstorming and mind mapping enables the author to

implement crucial keywords that can later be applied into the eventual project.

Figure 5.1 Mind Map

36 5.1.2 Moodboard

Creating moodboard is also helpful as it acts as a tool to set up potential

visual design for the project based on the initial keywords that include colors,

photographs, graphics, as well as design style.

Figure 5.2 Moodboard

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5.1.3 Design Development

This chapter will focus on detailing the progress and development of the

project that include concept, references, character design, and the eventual layout.

All characteristic of the cryptids are based on their reported descriptions as well as

the author’s imagination.

5.1.3.1 Character Design

All development of the creatures begins with collecting references. The next

step is designing the cryptid along with the preferred pose by drawing an outlined

sketch and modifying the sketch to get the final design:

- Ahool

Ahool is a winged cryptid, found in Indonesia. It is portrayed as a giant bat

and at times a flying primate. It was first reported by Dr. Ernest Bartels in 1925.

Allegedly, they have large claws on its forearms, large wings, and about the size of

an infant covered in gray fur.

Figure 5.3 Ahool character reference based on description

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Figure 5.4 Ahool character developments

Figure 5.5 Ahool side view

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- Bigfoot

Bigfoot is a cryptid that inhabit the North American northwest, Florida, to

Australia. They are to have a large hairy ape-like creature, in a range of 2–3 m tall,

weighing in excess of 200 kg, and covered in dark brown or dark reddish hair.

Figure 5.6 Bigfoot character reference

Figure 5.7 Bigfoot character design

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- Chupacabra

Chupacabra is a cryptid, first reported in Puerto Rico and said to inhabit parts

of the Americas. They are said to have leathery or scaly greenish-gray skin and sharp

spines or quills running down its back.

Figure 5.8 Chupacabra character reference

Figure 5.9 Chupacabra character design

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- Jackalope

Jackalope is a cryptid of North America, allegedly identified as a jackrabbit

with antelope horns or deer antlers.

Figure 5.10 Jackalope character reference

Figure 5.11 Jackalope character design

Figure 5.12 Jackalope side view

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5.1.3.2 Character Artwork

After the final sketch of the creatures is completed, the art was colored

digitally. The artwork is intended to look obscured and pale as it suits the

mysteriousness of cryptozoology.

- Ahool

Figure 5.13 Ahool art

- Bigfoot

Figure 5.14 Bigfoot art

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- Chupacabra

Figure 5.15 Chupacabra art

- Jackalope

Figure 5.16 Jackalope art

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5.1.3.3 Layout Development

5.1.3.3.1 Introduction Page

The intended layout is to include an introductory page at the start of every

character analysis.

Figure 5.17 Introduction layout concepts

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Figure 5.18 Ahool introduction layout final design

Figure 5.19 Bigfoot introduction layout final design

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5.1.3.3.2 Content Page

The intended layout for the content is to focus on analysis and scientific

breakdown based on reports and sightings of the cryptids, with minimalistic design to

avoid reading fatigue. The content is intended to have several parts which include the

characteristic and comparison of cryptids, reported sightings and location, as well as

identity breakdown that acts as a way to deduce the identities of featured creatures.

Based on the conception, it was decided to use various colored bars on the

sides of the each content page. Each page uses different colors that represent each

cryptid, as a way to differentiate as well as to create different atmospheres.

Figure 5.20 Content conception

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Figure 5.21 Final content sample of Bigfoot

Figure 5.22 Final sightings and location page sample

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Figure 5.23 Final identity analysis page sample

Figure 5.24 Sample of additional material

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5.1.3.4 Title Conception

The idea for the title was to use the word essence of cryptozoology itself.

Various idea include the meaning of cryptozoology itself such as Greek word Krypto,

which means hidden creatures as well as Cryptic, which have the meaning of

mysterious or obscure. Overtime, the chosen title became Cryptos, which can mean

secret or hidden. Cryptos was chosen as it contain a little word play using the word

“Crypto” from cryptozoology, at the same time it conveys the meaning of what

cryptids are often associated with.

Figure 5.25 Title development

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5.1.3.4.1 Title Design

The title design was intended to be able to embody the essence and meaning

of the title. The design used modified font to look obscured but at the same time

being simple and easily recognizable.

Figure 5.26 The Loch Ness Monster as design reference

Figure 5.27 Title design concept

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5.2 Result

5.2.1 Final Title Design

Using the head of The Loch Ness Monster emerging from the water as a

reference, the title was designed to have several elements that mimic the

characteristics of the cryptid such as water ripple, obscured effect, and the use of a

solid typeface that resembles a silhouette. The title font was modified from the font,

Nouvelle Vague Black and as for the subtitle the used font is Franklin Gothic Book.

Figure 5.28 Final title design

Figure 5.29 Final title design variation

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5.2.2 Typeface

The use of typeface was developed to fit the initial conception of the overall

design. The uses of typefaces are as follow:

- Head and Sub Head

The solid characters in Bebas Neue Bold are appropriate in the head

design to prevent misreading as it is solid and simple in shape.

Franklin Gothic Book and Bebas Neue Book are used for the sub head

because of the simplicity of their shape, enabling an easier font to read and

faster to memorized.

Franklin Gothic Book

Bebas Nueu Book

- Body Text and Caption

Franklin Gothic Book is used for both the body text and captions as

the simple font functions as a tool to compensate the complexity of the

artworks. Using a small number of fonts also simplifies the design as it can

prevent style inconsistencies as well as atmosphere change that deviate from

the intended look