MARRAKECH
MARRAKECH FACTS -
Marrakech always attracted me, I havent been yet but something about the spices, smells, colours, crafts, history and mystery calls me.
This is why I already knew Pink and Orange will be a part of the colours, I want the design to have muted - calm colours of course because these places that seem so hectic are so calm because of the pace of them.
I started exploring fun facts about Marrakech and found some interesting things -
on this website
https://press.fourseasons.com/marrakech/trending-now/interesting-facts/
Marrakech hosts one of the biggest souks of Morocco
It’s forbidden to cut the palm trees in the city
Marrakech, the “Red City,” owes this nickname to the colours of its ramparts. These walls are made of orange-red clay and chalk, which served and still serve for the construction of the various buildings and houses in the city.
Horse-drawn carriages represent an old tradition
on this website
http://mentalfloss.com/article/75164/25-things-you-should-know-about-marrakech
Marrakech triumphs over other Moroccan cities as the unofficial cultural center thanks to the winding alleys of its vast medina, contrasted with the modern malls and restaurants of the Nouvelle Ville, juxtaposed yet again with the luxurious palm tree-lined resorts and villas of its Palmeraie district.
The name Marrakech is rooted in the Berber phase murr akush meaning “the land of God.” But another theory says that the name comes from the Arabic words murra kish, which translates to “pass by quickly”—a warning to travelers to be wary of thieves and wild animals.
The 700 hectares of Marrakech’s 11th century Medina was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1985, thanks to its “impressive number of masterpieces of architecture and art.”
MIND MAPPING -
PHOTOS OF MARRAKECH -
MARRAKECH COLOURS -
IN THE PROCESS -
I used blocks of colours and brushes to create the "clay-chalk" texture
FINAL DESIGN -
MARSEILLE
FACT ABOUT MARSEILLE -
http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/discover/quick-facts/
The oldest city in France, founded 2,600 years ago.
300 days of sunshine per year.
https://tapsy.blog/best-facts-about-marseille-tapsys-curiosities/
The famous writer Alexandre Dumas said that Marseille is the place where the world meets, probably for its huge port. If you take a walk around there, it really seems to be in the right spot to meet people from all over the world! English pubs beside the great square, where Arabic musicians play their local songs. French, Spanish, Italian, German, English people walking, Japanese tourists taking pictures, Brazilians dancers having fun on the street. It is like having a look to the world!
One of the funniest fact about Marseille is that it was founded in 600 B.C. by Greeks from Focea, which is actually Turkey. Maybe this is why the city, in a certain way, looks very Turkish! A bit chaotic, bizantine, Marseille really looks like a south-mediterranean city.
City of soap - Used for centuries, it was well known for its presumed medicinal properties.
Just outside the city, there's the beautiful Calanques National Park
Marseille is the best pied à terre to visit the entire Provence region. It is about 45 minute/ 1 hour from the best attractions: lavender fields, little medieval town, roman archeological sites, incredible vineyards and cellars
MIND MAPPING -
PHOTOS OF MARSEILLE -
MARSEILLE COLOURS -
I feel like theres a lot of blue and white and some reds as accent - which is actually similar to the French flag.
IN THE PROCESS -
FINAL DESIGN -
MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE FACTS -
https://ohfact.com/interesting-facts-about-melbourne/
Four Seasons a day
Melbourne was the capital of Australia for around 26 years from 1901 to 1927 before the capital was shifted to Canberra.
Second home for the two European countries- Melbourne has the largest number of Greeks and Italians outside their own country and continent i.e. Europe.
Melbourne is Australia’s uncrowned sports capital.
The Tram System of Melbourne is the best in the country, the largest outside of Europe and the 4th largest in the world
UNESCO recognized Melbourne as a City of Literature Major Center for street art, music and theater. It is considered Australia’s cultural capital because of all the cultural institutes and festivals held in the city.
Melbourne has the world’s highest number of restaurants plus cafes per number of people in the city
Street Art
There is a building in ,Melbourne that is inspired by beyoncé's curves
gay friendly
The 82 Brighton bathing boxes are one of Melbourne's most unique attractions visited by people from around the world.
MIND MAPPING -
MELBOURNE PHOTOS -
MELBOURNE COLOURS -
I wanted to emphasise the meeting between urban and green because the parks in melbourne are big and green and beautiful, and when I was there I could feel like I'm away in the country once in the parks.
Also, the beautiful street art, the diversity of cultures, the acceptance of Gay community... and last but not least the iconic coffee culture in Melbourne - all wasn't to be ignored.
IN THE PROCESS -
FINAL DESIGN -
MONTREAL
Facts about Montreal -
https://hikebiketravel.com/30-fun-weird-interesting-facts-montreal-quebec/
Montreal is a UNESCO city of design. (Others in that category include Kobe, Shanghai, Seoul, Graz, Berlin, Nagoya, Saint-Etienne, Buenos Aires and Shenzhen.)
No building in Montreal can be taller than the cross on the Mount Royal Mountain.
On average there are 12 days per year with a windchill below -30°C and one day per year with a windchill below -40°C.
On average it snows 60 days a year in Montreal. It rains on average every month of the year too.
The largest single day record for snowfall was 43 cms on March 4, 1971.
which means its really cold. cold colours.
Montreal is home to the world famous Cirque du Soleil.
Montreal has a vibrant summer festival scene. The Montreal Jazz Festival, starting on June 28th is the biggest of its kind in the world. The same can be said for the Fireworks Festival.
https://us-keepexploring.canada.travel/things-to-do/10-facts-about-montreal
Montreal hosted the first Olympics ever held in Canada in the summer of 1976.
Long before Europeans made their way to what’s now Montreal, the Iroquois people called this region home.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, or Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal in French, is Canada’s largest church. Built in 1904, now a National Historic Site,
Habitat 67 was built as a pavilion for Expo 67. Conceived by architect Moshe Safdie it is one of the most recognizable buildings in Montreal. It is comprised of 354 identical prefabricated concrete forms arranged in various combinations up to 12 stories high. There are now 156 residences – many with multiple forms – and all with at least one private terrace.
Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City. Be sure to stop and take in the view at the lookout.
on this website, we can see the iconic land marks in Montreal -
https://www.mtlblog.com/lifestyle/montreals-15-most-iconic-symbols
The Jacques-Cartier Bridge and the St. Lawrence River
Habitat 67
The Olympic Stadium
Mount Royal - the cross
The park has been designed by the same designer of Central Park in NY
It seems like Montreal has few unique iconic buildings and symbols -
The olympic park, The church, The cross, the snow and Habitat 67.
I was thinking to combine them as "Montreal Skyline" even tho it is not in reality.
PHOTOS OF MONTREAL -
MONTREAL COLOURS -
I chose a lot of "silver" and bright colours to show the cold weather and the buildings and the fact that this city is very progressed (for example Expo 67 considered to be a futuristic fare and the best on the 20's century). Green for the big park and also for the fact the city is covered with trees. Purple for the creativity and design of Montreal and so for its vibrant festivals.
IN THE PROCESS -
I positioned my reference photos in order to make an abstract shape collage with them.
Initially I had the title at the top, but when I looked at the final design it felt unbalanced so I started experimenting with placing the title on the "river in the bottom". I was trying to put it more to the right or left or center to see what looks better and I decided the middle is better.
FINAL DESIGN -
MUMBAI
MUMBAI FACTS -
according to this website -
https://in.musafir.com/blog/interesting-facts-about-mumbai.aspx
Mumbai was renamed after a local temple deity - Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the fishing community inspired the name ‘Mumbai’. ‘Mumba’ is the name of the goddess and ‘ai’ is mother. The Mumbadevi temple is situated in Bhuleshwar.
Mumbai has a coastline of about 150 kilometres
World’s most expensive house is in Mumbai - Antilia, Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story skyscraper is cited as the world’s most expensive house, valued at almost $1 billion. The business tycoon moved into the 400,000 square feet mansion in 2012 with his wife and three children.
Mumbai was once an archipelago of 7 islands
Flamingos migrate here every year
According to the website -
https://ohfact.com/interesting-facts-about-mumbai/
The Entertainment Capital of India
World’s Largest Slum
Home To India’s Biggest Street Festival!
according to this website -
https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog/top-places-visit-mumbai/
the Kanheri Caves also known as the ‘lungs of Mumbai’ - It is said to be the only place in the city with the maximum amount of greenery and consequently, a lot of fresh air. The caves date back to 1st century BC and are reckoned to be one of the oldest caves in India. Kanheri Caves are renowned for their natural Basalt formations, ancient Indian styled architecture and the 109 special entrances to the caves. These caves were once a distinctive Buddhist institution for congregational worship, study and meditation.
It felt almost obvious to use the Gate of India which is a known monument in Mumbai, but I wanted to challenge myself.
I found this website and read about the Dhobi Ghat.
https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Things-to-Do-in-Mumbai
Dhobi Ghat - this area is known for being the world's largest open air laundry. Dhobi Ghat is unusually popular among tourists wishing to see the rows upon rows of concrete washing areas.
I was conflicted weather to chose Dhobi Ghat or the Kanheri Caves.
I knew I will use warm colours, since its really hot in Mumbai, and because of the intensity of this city.
I also wanted to add some spices colours such as green yellow and red.
PHOTOS OF MUMBAI -
MUMBAI COLOURS -
Then I started working on the caves but I didn't like my result so much.
So I decided to use the fact Mumbai is named after the Mumbadevi temple.
IN THE PROCESS -
FINAL DESIGN -
REFLECTION
This exercise was so much fun! I enjoyed learning so much about creating full images out of simple shapes, also playing with a very small pallate of colors was really interesting and fun! I learned so much about little techniques to use photoshop for, like reflections of the water, vibrating effect and brushes. Also learned how to work faster with shortcuts on my keyboard.
In conclusion, I think it was one of my favorite exercieses so far.