Creating a botanical monogram using a layered floral illustration and typography in photoshop
My Role
Graphic Designer
Coursework
SI 520 -
Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Methods
Sketching & Ideation Digital Collage
Layer Masking Color Theory Application Composition Analysis Typographic Integration
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Figma
Timeline
1 week
The assignment asked us to combine a scientifically accurate botanical illustration with a monogram letter, and include the plant's Latin name and symbolic meaning. The composition must demonstrate:
Unity between organic botanical elements and geometric typography
Intentional use of emphasis, balance, and simultaneous contrast
Symbolic meaning coordination between plant choice and design
I grew up in a complex called "Seven Flowers" where all the buildings were named after flowers. My building was Frangipani. Growing up, that's just what I told people, that "I live in Frangipani." So when this assignment asked us to pick a flower, it was an easy choice.
I wanted to keep things clean. After deciding teh flower, I started by sketching the letter 'F' and the flower separately to figure out how they could work together. Through four quick thumbnails, I tried different arrangements to see how the organic curves of the Frangipani could interact with the geometric structure of the letter. I explored multiple approaches -
Symmetrical centered arrangements
Off-center dynamic layouts
Letter-dominant vs. botanical-dominant hierarchies
Various leaf and petal orientations
I went with Bodoni 72 Oldstyle because its elegant serif structure worked well as a contrast to the organic, flowing Frangipani. The high contrast between thick and thin strokes in Bodoni also echoed the delicate petals and bold leaves of the flower.
I chose a Split Complementary Harmony, based on the colors of the original bottanical illustration
I used asymmetrical balance to create movement. The Frangipani flowers and leaves wrap around the letter 'F' naturally, creating depth through overlapping elements. I made sure to have at least five distinct layers overlapping to build that sense of dimension. I used organic movement of leaves and flowers flowing naturally around the rigid geometric structure of the monogram letterform
The leaves and petals guide your eye upward and outward, which ties into the flower's symbolism of growth and renewal. While the flowers are eye-catching, I wanted the focus to stay on the monogram. I used color contrast and careful placement to make sure both elements get attention.
The original was a full scientific plate showing the entire plant (stem, leaves, flowers, and detailed anatomical drawings at the bottom). I selected and extracted just the parts I needed: specific leaves and the flower cluster. I removed the stem, the anatomical studies, and all the text labels.
Using Photoshop, I isolated each petal, leaf, and flower with layer masks. This gave me the flexibility to experiment with overlaps, allowing the illustration to weave through the letterform naturally. I worked with at five overlapping elements to create depth.
I layered the Frangipani elements around and through the F, testing various angles to create depth and movement. The leaves extend outward while the petals overlap the monogram, giving a sense of three-dimensional flow.
Finally, I adjusted hue, brightness, and contrast to bring warmth and richness to the colors. The deep maroon letter contrasts with the soft pinks and yellows of the Frangipani. I kept the aged paper texture from the original botanical plate because it adds warmth and respects the scientific heritage of the image. I added some layer effects to the monogram so it has dimension and stands out against the flowers.
The composition uses several gestalt principles:
Figure-ground relationship: Clear separation between the letter and the flowers
Continuation: The leaves create visual paths through the design
Proximity: Related elements naturally group together
Closure: Your eye completes the letter form even with the overlapping
The background and foreground work together while providing enough contrast for readability.
The focus is on the monogram letter, but the botanical illustration adds context and meaning. I used free space, balance, movement, depth, and mass to create a layout where both parts get the attention they deserve.
