INKTOBER DAY 26:  ZIP

A zipper is an interesting object for creating visual metaphors.

Why?

Because it transforms things.

But there's something special about this kind of transformation.

A zipper lets us see two different states in the same image.

One part is still open.

Another part has already changed.

And the teeth of a zipper have shapes that can be turned into all kinds of unexpected things.

For this image, I turned them into fists facing each other.

But as the zipper closes, the fists become hands shaking.

From confrontation to connection.

From conflict to a possible agreement.

And this brings us to three important questions when creating a visual metaphor about transformation:

1. Why does the change happen?

2. Is the change positive or negative?

3. What happens next?

That last question is especially important.

A transformation isn't just something changing. It's something changing the story.

Of course, you don't need to answer every question in your image. S...