OUGD405 - Line Drawing and Scaling Up

Line Scaling Up 

Arabic Scripture Influence 

Line drawings of the beach and road in Dubai, from Google maps have been experimented with to create more organic looking lines. Taking influence from Arabic scripture examples, which are created through the use of a bamboo flat nibbed pen, different experiments with drawing implements have been tried. Using a large rounded nibbed permanent marker created a more fluid looking line. The thickness of the pen also meant certain more detailed parts were filled in creating a simplified version of the original digital line. 
Using a calligraphy pen in ink was quite difficult as blotting would occur, however the contrast between thick and thin strokes was more reflective of the Arabic scripture examples that had been looked at.

Using a highlighter with an angled nib created thicker lines that also had contrast. It also created squarer finishes to the ends of strokes which reflected elements within the scripture. 

The tests that were done were all at A4 size, with this in mind it was considered if these lines were to be used, they would , at a larger scale, be far too thick and take up a lot of page space. The aim of both the scripture and within the brief was to create an modern, fashionable and high-class design. To reflect this the lines will need to be elegant at the intended scale, so should not be too clumsy and bold. Enlarging the lines, then using the same pens, will allow a thinner line but the same effect will be created.

Enlarging the drawings

Using the photocopier the beach line was blown up from A4 to A3 then by another 200%. Enlarging the design in this way would allow the line to be redrawn but also give a sense of how large it would have to be scaled up for it to fit over a large amount of pages, so all the content could be fit within the book.

Blowing up the lines to a larger scale on the photocopier, made it easier to draw around the lines with the highlighter. The highlighter was found to be the most like a calligraphic pen and was consistent when used, unlike the actual calligraphy pen. When in the book, the lines would have to be expanded over a large amount of pages so would still need to have enough detail within the sections to look engaging on each page as well as being elegant.

Within Arabic books a bamboo pen is used, the highlighter also had a flat nib, so was able to simulate similar forms, allowing the line to look more aesthetically like Arabic scripture.
Originally the pen was held at a 45 degree angle with the point facing upwards, which created good contrast between thin and thick strokes.

The large circular sections within the beach line however looked too curved and bobbly which was not in keeping with angular and curved appearance of Arabic scripture. By looking at specific glyphs within Arabic writing it was found that 'circular' sections were created through multiple strokes. To create this effect the pen had to be held differently with the point facing downwards at an angle.

The sections that were curved or more bulky than other areas were repeated numerous times. With each trial they were refined down further to be more in keeping with the rest of the line.

It has been considered that the larger sections could be drawn with a larger square nibbed pen. This would simplify these areas to a few large strokes which would combine with the smaller strokes, from the highlighter, to create the whole piece. Using a larger drawing implement for these sections may make the big circular parts more angular which will allow the lines to be drawn like the other circular parts.

Line Layout within the Book

When looking at the lines layout and the positioning of activities it has been found that the initial lines need extending to fit on other locations. Originally it was thought that all the beach places were in one direction and the road activities in the other direction, which is not true as some run parallel all the way along the route.  It has also been found that depending on where the cover is placed on map this would affect the book layout within . Certain positions would be easier to create within the book.

Pagination options 
- Start from one end of the lines, working left to right along both the beach and road, including both lines on the pages, which would also reinforce the parallel aspect of the two lines.
- The book from front to middle , would be the journey from left to right on the beach, whilst the back to middle section would follow the road right to left.