Diagramming Process

In my visualizing class, we undertook the task of diagramming beetles - a species that represents an astounding 25% of all life on Earth. To accurately portray these creatures, I started with what I knew about human anatomy to transition to beetle anatomy. Initially, I utilized ink and abstract mediums to depict the beetle's bodily systems, refining these representations through repeated iterations. This process taught me to enhance consistency, regularity, and clarity in my visuals, utilizing techniques such as line weight consistency, complementary hatching, and form refinement. I refined the form by looking at a simple white or black form of the beetle contrasted against a background of the opposite color and iterating repeatedly.

As my skills developed, I progressed from requiring labels to represent systems to conveying them visually without text. I also explored the interplay between the inner systems and outer form representations of the beetle, focusing on achieving legibility in varied diagram sizes and utilizing hierarchy.

Studying mapping and diagramming systems like metro and ancient maps further enriched my understanding, guiding me in combining gestural forms and consistent diagram shapes. I challenged myself to refrain from relying on color initially, only introducing a simple palette towards the project's end to accentuate and complement the mapping.

Through this iterative process, I established a cohesive language of communication, discerning when to maintain authenticity to natural forms and when to exercise creative liberties.