Week 2: Revamp

WEEK 2: The Revamp

I decided to do something different from the fan art that I initially intended to do. I was looking through some keycap designs and stumbled upon this design:

The first thing that came to mind was that this is extremely cool. They did not have a translucent material mixed with a opaque instead they decided to go for a design that had more air. But this inspired me to create key caps for Myths. As I searched the web there is barely any content on Filipino Myths and keycaps for that matter. And because I immigrated to Canada I have zero to no knowledge of these Myths except the terrifying folk stories that I grew up with. Myths that are akin to those of Greek and Norse Mythology that depicted beings that shaped and controlled the world.

Here are the designs that I came up with:

Bathala (Top Left – Supreme Creator Deity)

Mythological Background:

In Tagalog mythology, Bathala is the highest deity, the creator of the universe and everything within it. He is often seen as a distant but all-powerful god, responsible for life and cosmic order. In some versions of the myth, he coexists with three other deities: Ulilang Kaluluwa (a serpent) and Galang Kaluluwa (a wandering spirit), whom he defeated before establishing the world. His name means “God” or “Lord” in old Tagalog, and he embodies wisdom, balance, and creation.

Design Choices: 

All-seeing eye at the center – Represents Bathala’s omniscience and divine vision, watching over creation.

Sun-like rays surrounding the eye – Symbolizes life-giving energy, reinforcing Bathala’s role as a cosmic force.

The Unique Look - Compared to the rest Bathala's design is more ethereal emphasizing his power.

Kanlaon (Middle Left – The Volcano Deity)

Mythological Background:

Kanlaon is the Visayan deity of time and nature, associated with Mount Kanlaon, the tallest active volcano in the Visayas. In some myths, he is a great god overseeing the flow of time, while in others, a mighty dragon dwells within the volcano. The volcano itself is often seen as a sacred place where rituals were once performed. Some legends tell of warriors or heroes climbing the mountain to confront the dragon or seek divine wisdom. The fiery nature of Kanlaon represents both destruction and renewal, embodying the forces of creation and transformation.

Design Choices:

Erupting volcano at the center – Captures Kanlaon’s divine force, destruction, and rebirth.

Flames and smoke rising – A visual nod to volcanic activity and divine energy.

Clouds surrounding the peak – Adds movement and depth, reinforcing the idea of a powerful yet sacred force.

Apolaki (Middle Right – God of the Sun and War)

Mythological Background:

Apolaki is the god of the sun, war, and warriors in both Tagalog and Pangasinan mythology. He is often depicted as a strong, strategic leader and was worshiped by ancient warriors and rulers for his protection in battle. In some myths, he is the son of Bathala and the brother of Mayari, the moon goddess. The two fought over who would rule the world, and in their battle, Apolaki struck Mayari, blinding one of her eyes. As a result, Apolaki was given control of the day (when the sun shines brightly), and Mayari ruled the night (her dim moonlight reflecting her loss). Apolaki represents discipline, strength, and divine justice.

Design Choices:

Vertical sword at the center – Represents Apolaki’s warrior aspect, symbolizing battle and protection.

Radiating sunburst behind the sword – Highlights his connection to the sun and divine authority.

Structured symmetry – Reflects discipline and order, key traits of a warrior deity.

Bakunawa (Far Right – The Moon-Eating Serpent)

Mythological Background:

Bakunawa is a giant sea serpent from Visayan mythology, known for swallowing the moon and causing eclipses. It was once a beautiful creature that admired the seven moons that once existed. However, out of envy or hunger, Bakunawa devoured six of them, leaving only one—the moon we see today. To prevent Bakunawa from eating the last moon, ancient Filipinos would shout, bang pots, and play loud music to scare it away during lunar eclipses. Some stories depict heroes or gods battling Bakunawa, while others suggest that Bakunawa is a misunderstood guardian of the seas. It symbolizes chaos, transformation, and the cycles of nature.

Design Choices:

Serpent forming a circular shape – Symbolizes the cycle of eclipses and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.

Serpent partially consuming the moon – A direct reference to the myth of lunar eclipses caused by Bakunawa’s hunger.

Clouds surrounding the serpent – Emphasizes its celestial connection, making it feel like an entity of the skies.

Mayari (Bottom Center – Goddess of the Moon) 

Mythological Background:

Mayari is the Tagalog goddess of the moon, known for her beauty, wisdom, and strength. In the most well-known myth, she fought her brother Apolaki over who should rule the world. She believed they should share power equally, but Apolaki disagreed, leading to a fierce battle. Mayari lost one of her eyes in the fight, dimming her vision. Eventually, they reached a compromise—Apolaki would rule the day (the bright sun), and Mayari would rule the night (the dim moon). She is associated with gentle yet resilient power, night, and balance. Some also consider her a goddess of revolution and feminine strength.

Design Choices:

Crescent moon framing a face – Represents Mayari’s celestial role and connection to the night sky.

Facial scars and asymmetry – A direct nod to the myth of her battle with Apolaki, where she lost an eye. This adds a layer of storytelling to the design.

Clouds – Reinforces her ethereal, sky-bound nature rather than grounding her in water.

Solemn yet strong expression – Reflects both her grace and resilience, embodying her dual nature as a warrior and a deity of beauty.

Plans

I still plan on using Rhino to execute this idea because I think it will do the cleanest job because I need that accuracy when designing something that needs to fit a certain format. 

As for the process of making it I am unsure but I think I will one hundred percent import the png into Rhino and trace them out.