Illustration & Visual Narrative/Task 1

29.03.2022-05.04.2022 (week1-week5)

Chai HongHong/0354211/Creative Media Design

Illustration & Visual Narrative

Task 1 /Exercise

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LECTURES

Week 1

In the first week of class, we met Miss Anis and Mr. Hafiz. They introduced us to this module and the exercises we were going to do.

We played a game called "Bezier", the main purpose of which was to train our proficiency in the pen tool and to use it better in the Adobe Illustrator. The first exercise Mr. Hafiz told us was the "Vormator Challenge," where we needed to create characters with assigned elements.

Elements

Week 2

In the second week of class, Mr. Hafiz introduced how to use some basic tools on Adobe Illustrator, and then demonstrated how to outline the shapes of the elements we need to use. I followed Mr. Hafiz's steps and made the graphic elements I needed.

Next, Ms. Anis presented a video lecture on the basics and principles of character design.

The Principles of Character Design:

• Shapes - Used to differentiate and identify each character.
• Colour - Makes it easy to figure out the role that they play in the animation/movie/series. It can also define their personality or represent different emotions which helps to connect the viewer to the character.
• Emphasis & Contrast - Makes a character stand out by its unique or strong features which make the latter easy to recognize.
• Harmony - Provides a good flow to the story.

• Expressions & Poses - Makes it easy for viewers to like or empathize the character if the latter has distinct manners or way of expressing itself.

Week 3

Mr. Hafiz showed us how to add colors and shadows to elements, and taught us how to cut and patch patterns. Ms. Anis also introduced chiaroscuro, which uses light and shade to create the illusion of three-dimensional volume on a flat surface.

Aim of Chiaroscuro: To increase the scene's dramatic tension.

Chiaroscuro can be shown through tenebrism technique. Another way is to cast light on a focus point and the latter is contrasted with a dark background. It can also be shown through low-key lighting.

It is also used in visual narrative. Not only do chiaroscuro creates dramatic tension in a specific scene but it also creates fascination and attraction towards the viewer.

Week 4

Mr. Hafiz showed us how to make the shadow and cut surface of pears. 

Week 5

Mr. Hafiz showed us how to make the human body light and shade and change his shadow.

Composition Theory 3- Fore, Mid and Background

Composition

Composition refers to how your image is put together. If used in the right way, it can take your art to the next level and make a piece really grab your audience's attention.

When composing a scene, creating an effective sense of the space is very important.

Foreground: Nearest to the viewer

Using size differences and colour contrast to highlight foreground as main focus

Middle-ground: In between foreground and background

Using size differences and light/shadow contrast to highlight the main focus

Background: Furthest away from the viewer

Using shapes and light/shadow contrast to highlight the main focus

Design Flow

Good arrangement of visual focus using foreground, middle-ground and background should indicate a sense of movement, and rhythm in your design

What is Design Flow?

The way your eye moves or is led around a composition

A design with good flow will lead the viewers' eye throughout the layout, moving from element to element with ease.

Able to influence the way the viewer will digest your content. (Important in interface and information design types where you need to combine type, line, contrast, colour and imageries).

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INSTRUCTIONS

Week 1-Week 3 (Task 1)

Vormator Challenge (SkyFighter)

First, I made the elements I needed from Mr. Hafiz's tutorial, and then I started creating my characters with those elements.

Fig.2.1.Elements

I was inspired by rockets. Before this I wanted to create a Rocket man, but when I digitized, I suddenly wanted to add a pair of wings to him, I thought he might not need legs ha ha ha

The original design

My friend said it looked like an evil thing and suggested I give it a new head.

Fig.2.2.Original Design

I thought my friend had a point, so I redesigned him, but I didn't change his wings. I added hands and feet for him, being an aerial fighter, I thought he should have sharp claws, which would be his weapon.

Profile

He had a lively personality and amazing fighting ability.

I wanted him to be an air hero, fighting to protect the sky, so I named him SkyFighter.

Fig.2.3.

Fig.2.4.

The initial idea of my design was that I wanted him to be in the air, so I made the background of the card sky blue and added simple patterns of clouds. I used pen tool to outline the clouds and then added a gradient of blue and white colors.

Fig.2.5.Final Design（750 x 1050）

Final（PDF）

Week 4 - Week 5 (Exercise)

Fig.2.6.

Fig.2.7.

Fig.2.8.