How would I do this? (perspective question)

[suneohair]

I am creating a header for a sister city website. I had a nifty idea and I want to try it out.

Essentially there will be two pieces of land inside a rounded rectangle header. I want each one to be on their own sides with water between them.

It will be very smooth, no realistic or anything like that.

Basically each one will be green but I need to create the idea that they are sitting in the water like land does. With it being rounded toward the "edge" of the header.

I can't think of a good way to pull it off. I will work on it and see if i can get close to it. And post it up here. Thanks!

 

[irishgrizzly]

My advice is keep it simple and it'll look better.

1. Draw what you'd like on paper until it looks right. Don't try and add lots of detail – think of how the best logos are simplified versions of the objects they're representing.
   
2. Scan your best work into your mac.
   
3. Trace it in Illustrator and clean up the lines using the pen tool.

 

[iMeowbot]

For inspiration, you might want to check out some of the panoramic maps that were popular during the 19th century.

There is an online viewer there, and there is also a MrSID plugin over that the GraphicConverter web site if you want to view locally.

 

[LeviG]

if its line art maybe have the water as just a top level which slightly overlaps the land which is slightly higher. So simply put - land is a box, water is a line which cuts into the box a little below the top of the box.

If its coloured in, maybe try a feathered edge, gradient the colours towards the edges where the land and water meet