Heraldry: Redrawing and Vectorization of Family Crests

A particularly challenging illustration task was the repainting and vectorization of a family coat of arms, along with the addition of a name ribbon. Such detailed work requires intense concentration from our illustrator. In the end, it fills us with pride to further develop a traditional symbol, knowing that it will serve as the visual foundation for many more generations of family history.

The creation of family coats of arms, also known as heraldry, is a fascinating and historically rich field. Family coats of arms originated in the Middle Ages, primarily in Europe, to identify knights on the battlefield. Later, they evolved into symbols of family heritage and status.

A coat of arms typically consists of several elements, as seen in this family crest:

• Shield: The main element, often with various colors (tinctures) and patterns (charges).
• Helmet: Above the shield, often represents social status.
• Coat of arms wreath and mantling: decorative elements around the helmet.
• Motto: A saying or guiding principle, often on a banner below the shield.
• Additional elements: Sometimes, supportive animals or figures are added. In our case, the bird is literally also the namesake of the family.

Today, coats of arms are used not only by families but also by organizations, cities, and educational institutions. Creating a personal family coat of arms requires research and creativity. It is important to respect heraldic traditions while creating a personal and meaningful representation.

Here you can see how detailed the tracing and vectorizing in the software Adobe Illustrator is based on a photograph:

It is also nice to see how details are added here, particularly evident in the plumage and the shading of the ribbons.

For someone like us, who works in the field of visual design, creating and revising family and city crests offers an exciting opportunity to connect historical elements with modern design. Here are three more works from us on the topic of digitization of city and municipal crests.
https://4eck-media.de/blog/vektorisierung-digitalisierung-gemeindewappen-stadtwappen
https://4eck-media.de/blog/vektorisierung-and-digitalisierung-von-stadtwappen-und-familienwappen

A beautiful work filled with attention to detail has emerged: