Illustration Visual Narrative Task 1| Exercises

Week 01 01/04/2021 - Week 05 29/04/2021 
Shamiella Baziella Binti Mohamad - 0333104
Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Digital Media Production)

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LECTURES

Lecture 01: Introduction & Assignment Briefing
Week 01 (01/04/2021)

First day of class! Introductory class began where Miss Anis and Mr Kannan briefly introduced us on the assignment brief, as well as showing us our senior's past assignments as our guidance. We were then given our first exercise task which was to create a vormator character only using a few shapes.

Lecture 02: Lecture + Interactive Learning, Bezier Tool, AI Rundown & Chiaroscuro Practical

Week 02 (08/04/2021)

During the 2nd week of the lecture, Ms Anis introduced us on the basic principles of character designs. Before we started, we were asked to choose our favourite character- where then she proceeded explaining the principles used on the characters.

The basic principles of the character designs are:

• shape

• emphasis & contrast

• harmony

• expression/poses

Figure 1.1: Examples of a Good Character Design

As for our tutorial/practical session, Mr Kannan briefly walkthrough us on the AI and introduced us on the Bezier Game- where we can practice using the pen tool. Then, he taught us on the Chiaroscuro techniques by using a pear as a reference. 

Figure 1.2: Chiaroscuro Pear Reference

Figure 1.3: Final attempt on chiaroscuro (08/04/2021)

Lecture 03: Lecture + Pear Chiaroscuro practical

Week 03 (15/04/2021)

For this week lecture, the lecture was about Composition. Below are the different types of shots/compositions:

• establishing

• bird's eyeview

• framing

• medium shot

• close-up

• worm's eyeview

Figure 1.4: Different types of shots/compositions

Besides, we were taught on the differences between background, mid-ground and foreground as well as the rule of third along with creating the landscape art, contrast, details and symmetry vs asymmetry. 

Figure 1.5: Examples of rule of third 

Figure 1.6: Background, Mid-ground and Foreground

• Background & Mid Ground: Far Away

• Foreground: Closer to the viewer

Figure 1.7: Landscape Illustration Examples

Figure 1.8: Landscape Illustration Sketches (15/04//2021)

Whereas, for our practical session- we continued on the Chiaroscuro pear by adding grunge texture, taught us on how to us the clipping mask, and introduced us to the swatches. 

Figure 1.9: Adding grunge texture to the chiaroscuro pear- slice- (16/04/2021) 

Figure 2.0: Adding grunge texture to the chiaroscuro pear -silhouette- (17/04/2021)

Lecture 04: Lecture + Background & Illustrator Tools

Week 04 (22/04/2021) 

This week's lecture was all about composition/perspectives. Started with a brief history of arts/paintings before the 14th century (Byzantine, Medieval and Gothic periods) which was considered rich and beatiful but lacked of illusion of depth and space. Till Fillipo Brunelleshi, Florentine architect discovered the linear perspective system which depicted the illusion of depths and volume, makes the paintings becomes more realistic.

On the other hand, Ms Anis showed us a video on Las Meninas, explaining how painters/illustrators incorporated perspectives into their paintings. (play at 0:11)

Perspectives: create depth, a representation of objects (from 2D >3D) as well as an illusion. 

Types of Perspectives:

• 1 point

• 2 point

• 3-4 point

• 4-5 points (fisheye)

Figure 2.1: Types of Perspectives (22/04/2021)

Figure 2.2: Perspective Sketches (22/04/2021)

Figure 2.3: Types of Perspectives & Number of Vanishing Points (22/04/2021)

As for our practical, Mr Kannan showed us how to create composition background and taught us a few techniques on how to enhance our composition. Mr Kannan demonstrated us on how to use the pen tool & gradient, shape builder tool and how to apply swatches patterns. 

Figure 2.4: Practical session: Composition/ Applying Swatches Patterns(22/04/2021)

Lecture 05: *public holiday*
Week 05 (29/04/2021)

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INSTRUCTIONS

 

TASKS

Task 1: Vormator Challenge

Vormator Elements 

These were the shapes that has been provided, therefore, we were able to repeat them as many times without distorting them. The character that I did sketched and illustrated is depicted in the image below

Figure 1.1: Character Sketch (10/04/2021)

Figure 1.2: Outline Character on AI (10/04/2021)

Figure 1.3:  Vormator Character- Mr Bao Bei (10/04/2021)

As the name says, Mr Bao Bei known as the little cute dumpling boy. An incredibly loveable and likeable character. 

Figure 1.4: Final Vormator Character- Mr Bao Bei (20/04/2021) 

I did asked feedback from Mr Kannan, and he told me to add apply/little shadow (chiaroscuro) in order to differentiate and enhance the character's face and neck for my character to stand out. 

Task 2: Vector Landscape Illustration

As for our second task, we were required to create a landscape illustration for our character.  We were asked to sketch 5 different backgrounds according to the techniques that we have learned. 

Examples of the Landscape Illustration 

Below are the 5 sketches that I did for my character

Figure 1.5: Background Landscape Sketches (15/04/2021)

After sketching a few background related to my character, I asked Mr Kannan for feedbacks during our practical session (consultation). Mr Kannan stated that either sketch #2, sketch #4 gives better insights for my character. Hence I decided to work on sketch #2 and sketch #4 combined.

Figure 1.6: Final Background Landscape Sketch (20/04/2021)

Here's my progress on the background design:

Figure 1.7: Attempt on the Background Design (28/04/2021)

Figure1.7: Adding texture, blending, mask on the red pole (28/04/2021)

Figure 1.8: Adding texture, blending and mask on the wall (28/04/2021)

Figure 1.9: Adding two hands holding chopsticks as it depicts they're feeding Mr Bao Bei (28/04/2021) 

Figure 1.7: Final Background Design (28/04/2021)

Figure 1.8: Final Background + Character (29/04/2021)

Game Card Composition

Figure 1.9: Mr Bao Bei- Game Card (29/04/2021)

I did asked Ms Anis for feedback through Whatsapp in regards of my card design, hence she asked me to added a frame behind the name as to make the name text "BAO BEI" be notable. 

Figure 2.0: Final Composition on Mr Bao Bei Game Card (01/05/2021) 

and that concludes task 1. 

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FEEDBACKS

Week 1

General Feedback: No general feedback.

Specific Feedback: No specific feedback.

Week 2

General Feedback: Ms. Anis suggested us to sketch us before illustrating in order to avoid difficulties we faced after illustrating. We were told to incorporate the basic character design into our sketches.

Specific Feedback: Feedback on my character sketch-bigger feet (so it's not bended), refer to colour combination and the character itself seems not stable as its very heavy on top. 

Week 3
General Feedback: Sketch 5 landscape in regards of our vormator character.

Specific Feedback: I did change my character design from monster to cartoon character, received positive feedbacks from Ms Anis and she said that my character looks cute. 

Week 4 

General Feedback: Start to sketch and work on the background design and incorporate the composition: background, mid-ground, foreground in our designs. 

Specific Feedback: Received feedbacks from Mr Kannan on my character and background, did amendment on my character. 

Week 5 *public holiday*

General Feedback: No general feedback. 

Specific Feedback: I did asked Ms Anis feedbacks on my card design via Whatsapp and she told me to added a border frame text behind the character's name. 

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REFLECTION

Week 1

• Experience: To be honest, having literally ZERO skills in design and taking design as my minor, I would say its pretty tough as I am fairly new to design and illustration in general. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the workload. 

• Observation: Everything was clearly explained from the weekly tasks to the final tasks. I did not get confused in the middle of or any part of the explanations, just me being so overwhelmed with the informations and what to expect from this module. Ms Anis and Mr Kannan also showed us past senior's assignments for our guidance. 

• Findings: Hopefully I will survived and can pull through IVN.. (finger crossed :')) I can't wait to see myself progressing throughout this semester.

Week 2

• Experience: I started illustrating my character, however I am not fully satisfied with the outcome.

• Observation: Hence, I try and error to make my character looks "okay" and incorporate the basic design into my character. I felt the pressured that my previous character still doesn't looks as what I wanted.

• Findings: It looks a little bit 'okay' and 'meh' the same time, but Ms Anis told me that the feet should be longer as it looks bended, which I agreed on.  Decided not to go with this character... I changed my so call monster character to a cute little boy character. 

Week 3

• Experience: Time pretty sure flies so fast, its already week 3; pretty chill week I'd say as I am very very satisfied with my character. 

• Observation: Took me a day to actually complete my character; Mr Bao Bei. From what I've learned past two weeks during lecture, tutorial and practical class, I am able to adapt and apply them through illustrating.

• Findings: Although I am struggling in the beginning, but with time and the help/guidance from Ms Anis and Mr Kannan as well as my friends, I did managed to get the hang of it. 

Week 4

• Experience: Week 4 brings little respite in the realm of assignments and classes. I am literally drowning in assignments, however life must goes on!!! I started sketching my background character where I did asked feedbacks from Mr Kannan and did some amendment in order to incorporate few sketches that we agreed on. 

• Observation: I realised that bringing perspectives to my background design seems quite hard.. T_T but hopefully with practices, I am able to incorporate them into my artworks.. maybe?

• Findings: As what Mr Kannan told us, having a narrative to our characters gives better insights in developing our character's story. 

Week 5
• Experience:Finally almost done with my task, after I asked more feedbacks from Ms Anis and my friends, and I did some amendment based on their feedbacks. I get to completed my task.

• Observation: Every little details from the feedbacks given brings impact on my final outcome. 

• Findings: I realised that asking others people opinion is much more better as it gives more details and insight. It is said that "two heads are better than ones".