Illustration & Visual Narrative Task 1

27.9.2023 - 25.10.2023 （Week 1 - Week 5)

Ruthlene Chua Zhen Si 0365222 

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media -Illustration & Visual Narrative

Task 1 Vormator Challenge 

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LECTURE

Week 1: Briefing & Bezier Game

Mr. Hafiz at first brief us its course —— illustration & visual narrative. Then, he start to introduce us a web (Bezier Game) which could help us to learn and have a greater control on the Adobe Illustrator pen tool. 

Figure 1.0 Bezier game

Week 2: Vormator Challenge

• Stylized Design
• Iconic: Characters with stylized designs are frequently so iconic that you can instantly identify
• Simplicity: Design's simplicity makes it easier for viewers to understand and comprehend the motive behind the characters
• Unique: Gives them distinct personalities that are not only enduring, yet creates an influence on the audience

• Principles of character design
• Shapes: Think iconic, add some weight too their personality
• Color: Establish the basic roles of the characters, think color psychology
• Emphasis, Contrast: Exaggerate to memorated
• Harmony: Every elements in design should compliment each other
• Every combination of forms, lines, colors, motifs, and patterns needs to be tasteful.
• Expressions, Poses: Expressive emotive characters, win the audience 
• It's simpler to engage your audience when your characters' personalities, idiosyncrasies, and behaviors are clearly visualized

Week 4: Chiaroscuro ——Light and Shadows

• Chiaroscuro (Italian term means "light-dark")
• Painting technique refers to clear tonal contrast to suggest three dimensional volume and modeling of object and figures
• Purpose of it is to increase the scene's dramatic tension by exaggerating subject's importance using color or light contrast
• A particular style of painting where important elements, including faces and hands, are lit by highlights that are in opposition to an predominantly dark setting
• Other uses of chiaroscuro in visual arts, such as comic books, movies, and digital works, are creative lighting selection that the focus point or subject of a scene is brightly colored

• Chiaroscuro is used in visual Narrative: 
• Increase dramatic tension: Gives thrilling emotive depth on the look and feel in the scene
• Create sensational effect: Elevates fanciful perspectives to highlight the story
• Attract attention: Establish visual hierarchy, the main point of the scene
• Make tasteful composition: Beautiful sceneries are produced by contrasting positive and negative regions

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INSTRUCTIONS 


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Task 1: Exercises1—— Vormator Challenge (Week 1 ~ 5 )

With few resources, we are given assignment to demonstrate our skills and ingenuity through the vormator challenge. We must use the eight provided basic forms to build a distinctive character while following to the established rules. It's a great chance for us to unleash our creativity.

1. At first, we are assign to trace the 8 shapes before starting our vormator. 

Figure 1.1 : The 8 shapes that we require to trace before starting our vormator

2. I used AI to create my Vormator

Figure 1.2 : The vormator that I create

3. Counting and calculate on the total shapes that i have used

Figure 1.2 : Total shapes that i used to create the vormator

4. Coloring time ~ 

Figure 1.3 :Adding color to the vormator

5. I noticed that the vormator is neat-looking, straightforward, and easy. I wonder what would happen if I added another effect, so i tried more colors on it.

Figure 1.4: Adding extra gradience on the vormator 

6. Satisfied with the work, so I started to add it into the Pokémon card. I also added in the background to look more complete. I named it Flameton ( Naming Flame+ phantom), just because he is a monster that use flame and ghost attack. 

Figure 1.5: Background of the pokemon card

Figure 1.6 :Adding it on the Pokémon card

Week 3: Task 1 Exercise 1—— Chiaroscuro Pear Exercise

In this exercise, we are instructed to use the pen tool to draw out the pear that has been provided as a picture while also learning how to utilize the pathfinder tool. The purpose of this activity is to learn about an object's or image's light and shadow. To create a shadowy look, we may divide the pear into two halves with the Pathfinder tool and then paint the pear with a darker hue. We are instructed to draw a skeleton skull and then apply it to the pear as a shadow once the fruit has been colored in accordance with the light and shadow sections. 

Figure 1.7: Chiaroscuro Pear 

Week 4: Task 2 Exercise 2 —— Colors and blending mode

We have been provided an image of a man standing by the lecturer; our task is to produce a chiaroscuro artwork by highlighting the shadows and contours. This week in class, we learn how to insert our own backgrounds or colors using the clipping mask tool. It took me a few tries to get the hang of selecting the correct path and layers to apply while using the clipping mask. Even if it's challenging, I believe that the completion process is worthwhile because it's so unique and special for me. 

Figure1.8 : The figure that are request to trace 

Figure1.9 & 2.0: Background of the shadows by using clipping mask

 

Figure 2.1 : Final chiaroscuro design of the men

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FEEDBACK

Week 1- None

Week 2- Vormator Element Practice Feedback 

Week 3- None

Week 4- None

Week 5- None

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REFLECTIONS

Experience

Through this specific task , we get knowledge of the fundamental AI tools, including layer gradient effect, clipping mask effect, pen tool control, and more. The most inventive method I've learned is called chiaroscuro; it combines with the clipping mask tool to create a "mix" picture effect style of design. 

Observation

Every technique we discover and every exercise we do may come in handy for our vormator work. We can manage and exert more control over the desired outcome more easily.

Findings

I have discovered that this course is really engaging and enjoyable to learn since it enables us to use our wide imagination. Lectures taught us lots of designing technique that I never be in touch with before. I discover that illustrations contribute to the clarity and visual appeal of pictures and even diagrams. Since Adobe Illustrator offers so many features and capabilities, I found it difficult to use at first. However, as I got used to it, I realized that the programs are a priceless resource for designers, satisfying their needs by providing precisely what they wanted.