Design a set of symbols that tells the story of your day

Introduction and Selecting Your Referents

Create a list of your daily routine
Create a chronological list of all the "steps" you go through your day. Think about this list as a story arc from the moment you awake to the moment you go to bed. Be as specific as possible.

Lets try to keep this list PG-13.
Narrow your list
Once your list is created:
- Narrow down the list to the 20 core concepts you think truly define your day.
- Write your final 20 referents in chronological order.
- Upload a picture to the project section.
This list will be the foundation for your personal timeline.

Summer Li's list.

Design Techniques to Maximize User Comprehension

Define your referent
Create a list of the core components or visual elements that define your referent.
Experiment with design techniques
Choose two referents. Sketch one where the Iconic design technique will be used, and the other where the Narrative design technique will be used.

Mayene De Leon experiments with both techniques.

Great example of the Outline Design Style.

Great example of the Fill Design Style
Sketch your referents
On a page of your sketchbook or piece of paper create a sketch that visually communicates each one of your referents. The sketches should use one of the design techniques discussed.

Poz Lang's referents.
Share your sketches
Upload an image of your sketches to your project page. Offer feedback to your classmates on their project pages.

Drawing Symbols in Illustrator

Draw your icons with Illustrator
Use the line and fill techniques we covered in the video lesson.

David Schneller shows us how his lines work.

Link to download a free trial of Adobe Illustrator
Share an icon
Share an image of the single design you are most proud of.

Cheryl Loh's favorite icon.

Polishing Your Designs and Putting it all Together

Finish your vectors
Arrange your icons into an illustrative timeline.

Merge your layers to create a final polished vector design.

A day in the life of Ellie Peters.
Share your timeline
Share an image of your final visual timeline. The timeline will consist of the 20 symbols you've designed. Be sure to offer feedback on your classmates' project pages.

Trish Phan's final timeline.
Upload your project to The Noun Project
Create an account at The Noun Project.

Upload the symbols to your Noun Project account.

Attached below is my final artboard.

Michelle Kempner

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