Week 1 - 5 (28.03.2022 - 01.05.2022)
Yung Siew Weng / 0339847
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1 / Exercise 1 & 2 - Vormator challenge
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1 / Exercise 1 & 2 - Vormator challenge
WEEK 1 @ 28.03.2022 - 03.04.2022
Today is the day the first class of the semester starts. During the live sessions, Ms. Noranis began by briefing us on module information and important notes that must be noticed throughout the semester. She also indicated that the modules will be taught using programmes like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Animation, but majoring in AI. And, we are advised to download/prepare the Adobe programme before the class next week.
Following that, our tutor, Mr. Hafiz, introduced and briefed us about the glass classroom as well as some class materials such as the pen tool and Vormator challenge. The most fascinating part is the session where we may learn how to use the pen tool by playing The Bézier Game, https://bezier.method.ac.
The Bézier Game
Figure 1.1 Bézier Game Screenshot
Figure 1.2 Bézier Game Screenshot
After, we were tasked with :
- organising a google drive folder with specific format
- download/ prepare Adobe Illustrator
- start / discover the AI
The Google drive organisation
Figure 1.3 google drive folder organisation screenshot
The Adobe Illustration (AI) application
Figure 1.4 AI application screenshot
Regarding the class materials that are provided, Adobe Illustrator is used to create a variety of digital and printed images, including cartoons, charts, diagrams, graphs, logos, and illustrations. There are a variety of resources that are provided for us to discover more about AI, including a game that aims to practise with the "pen tool." It's a game in which a space explorer gets lost, and we have to assist him in finding his way back home by using the pen tool.
WEEK 2 @ 04.04.2022 - 10.04.2022
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR INTRODUCTION + CHARACTER DESIGN BASICS
PRACTICAL
This week, we are finally starting our first proper class, beginning with Mr. Kannan. At first, we were taught the basics of Adobe Illustration by tracing the vormator shapes :
Figure 2.1 Practical in class (week 2/ 05.04.2022)
Figure 2.2 The vormator shapes (week 2/ 05.04.2022)
Figure 2.3 Vormator Shape - PDF (week 2/ 05.04.2022)
LECTURE WEEK 2 @ CHARACTER DESIGN BASICS (VORMATOR) 1. Character should designed stylised :
 Figure 2.4 The stylised design, Lecture slide (week 2/ 05.04.2022) 2. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN SHAPES  Figure 2.5 Aladdin, Disney 1992, Lecture Slide (week 2/ 05.04.2022)
COLOUR
EMPHASIS + CONTRAST
 Figure 2.6 Inside out @ Pixar 2015, lecture slide (week 2/ 05.04.2022) The blue hair had created a contrast with the yellow overall tone, which drew the viewers' attention to her hair first. Emphasis in blue tone : different colour depths in the same tune bring emphasis to the character. HARMONY
 Figure 2.7 Inside out @ Pixar 2015, lecture slide (week 2/ 05.04.2022) The harmony of scene 1st row : the same emotions, creating a sense of harmony. 2nd row : all the character with specs and brown hair. EXPRESSION, POSES
 Figure 2.8 Inside out @ Pixar 2015, lecture slide (week 2/ 05.04.2022) The character's poses showed a sense of negativity in which she is a proud kind of person (long eyelashes and a despise poses. (Pose talks / led the audience to think of) TUTORIALS @ LECTURE REPORT 1 INSTRUCTIONS : For your study, find one animated cartoon / anime character and write a short report (min 300 words) about how the character design elements works in relation to their personality and story in the media.   Figure 2.9 The Master Ping Xiao Po, from Kung Fu Panda | |
The character that I chose is Master Ping Xiao Po, popularly known as "Po," from the movie Kung Fu Panda. Kung Fu Panda is a children's film with numerous serious themes, with Po as the primary protagonist. These themes are about family, faith, and true greatness. One of the keys to the movie is the issue of Shifu's lack of belief, both in Oogway and in Po.
His character design is based on the fundamentals of a Giant Panda in order to mould and form the character's core design. He is made up of several circular and triangle forms, which combine to form a visually appealing character. His colour pattern is the classic black and white, which reflects the true tone of a panda. His yellow-tattered pants stand out against the black and white backdrop. The tattered pants cause the spectator to ponder more, and depending on the episode, the character was born into a village household. The overall forms, colours, lines, patterns, and even texture that are displayed on his fur are extremely detailed, as well as providing a sense of harmony. Po’s character is able to be iconic as the shape of a giant panda and the gesture of the Kungfu definitely make him instantly recognisable, even in black silhouettes.
The character, Po, was also designed with a big tummy, evoking the image of a giant panda. Various emotions and positions are typically depicted in the film. Almost all of his expressions had a kung fu gesture, demonstrating his passion for kung fu and even demonstrating the character's qualities, which are easygoing, playful, and cocky like a big kid. Overall, all of these features work together to form a visually appealing character, Po, in Kung Fu Panda. The combination of a giant panda and a Kung Fu gesture made the character distinct and easily identifiable to viewers.
WEEK 3 @ 11.04.2022 - 17.04.2022
PATHFINDER, TRACING + CHIAROSURCO
PRATICAL
This week's focus was on creating forms with pathfinders and shape builder. Based on Mr. Hafiz's tutorials, I made the following progress:
To Preview outline [Command + Y]
Copy and paste [option + drag]
Figure 3.1 Practical class week 3 (week 3/12.04.2022)
LECTURE WEEK 3 @ CHIAROSCURO
1. CHIAROSCURO
 |
Figure 3.2 sample of chiaroscuro, The Calling of St Matthew (Caravaggio, 1599-1600)
- The use of light and dark to create a 3-D volume on a flat surface.
- An Italian term means, 'light-dark'.
- In painting, the technique refers to clear tone contrast to suggest three-dimensional volume and modelling of objects and figures.
- an artistic lighting choice which the focus point or subject of a scene is brightly coloured.
Purpose : increase the scene's dramatic tension by exaggerating the subject's importance using color or light contrast.
2. TENEBRISM
Figure 3.3 sample of tenebrism, The Taking of Christ (Caravaggio, 1602)
Except from chiaroscuro, there is a certainty of painting method called 'Tenebrism' in which significant details such as faces and hands are illuminated by highlights which are contrast with a predominantly dark setting.
Fill out with light = chiaroscuro
Fill out with dark = tenebrism
3. LOW- KEY LIGHTING
- A style of lighting for photography, film or television
- accentuates the contours of the subject by throwing areas into shade while a dill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast.
Figure 3.4 Barry Lyndon (Kubrick, 1975)
3. CHIAROSCURO IN VISUAL NARRATIVE
WHAT IS POSITIVE SPACE ?
refers to subject matter or object of interest in a visual.
Reason chiaroscuro appear in visual narrative: this method is an excellent lighting choice to differentiate positive vs negative spaces.
Figure 3.5 factor of chiaroscuro
- Increase dramatic tension
- Create sensational effect
- Attract attention
- Make tasteful composition (play on neg & post scenes)
TUTORIALS @ LECTURE REPORT 2
INSTRUCTIONS :
For your study, pick one scene from any screen media (movie, drama series, animation) that utilises chiaroscuro lighting-style that emphasises shadow and light. Write a short report (min 500 words) about how the lighting in the movie impacted and accentuate the importance of the particular scene in narrative.
Figure 3.6 Brave, 2012 (week 3/12.04.2022)
The scene I picked is from Brave, a 2012 American computer-animated fantasy film created by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The animation is based on Merida, the main character of Brave (2012), who is the impulsive yet heroic daughter of Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor. She is an accomplished archer who aspires to forge her own way in life. Her disobedience of an age-old tradition infuriates the Highland lords and causes havoc throughout the country. Merida seeks the assistance of an eccentric witch, who grants her a cursed desire. Now, Merida must learn the true meaning of bravery and erase a monstrous curse before it's too late.
First and foremost, the image picked above has a darker overall impression, progressively darkening from the side to the centre of the image, demonstrating the influence of chiaroscuro in the story. Furthermore, the mix of light and shadow had produced a three-dimensional volume to the narrative. The lighting in this scenario will bring the viewer's attention to the primary figure, Merida, who stands in the centre of the image with her sword. In fact, the mix of light and dark had generated a feeling of sensational impact, which serves to raise fanciful ideas to emphasise the primary character, Merida. The impact of the lighting displaying a contrast to the character, illustrating the significance of Merida in the movie, would lead the audience or even those who have not watch "Brave (2012)" to believe she is the major character.
Furthermore, the impact of light and shadow might indicate where and when the tale takes place. The planned lighting arrangement for the scenario is illustrated in the nighttime woodland. Even at night, the black outlines of distant trees and plants may be seen through the scene, since the light is blocked off beyond a narrow region to set around persons and events. Visually, this helped calm "the busyness of the forest," but also made it easier for the audience to understand the story thematically. The light contributes to the sense that there are many unknowns in that woodland – magic, bears, and witches which appear behind the main character in a dark contrast.
Furthermore, the lighting contrasts Merida, the main character's emotions. Throughout the action, she expresses curiosity, fear, and bravery with her sword. It depicts Merida is discovering out who she wants to be in the world as she ventures into the wide unknown of the forest and maturity. Thus, lighting may heighten dramatic tension in a visual story, providing exhilarating emotive depth on the appearance and feel of the scene. By viewing the film, the viewer may experience Merida's anxiety as she explores her new environment.
In conclusion, light and dark are playing an important role in all aspect, including film, arts, paintings, etc. Sometimes lighting cues can add to the tone of the overall story. Happy stories aren't set in darkness. They're bright and cheery.
Task 1: Exercise 1 & 2
MODULE INFORMATION
TASK 1 INFORMATION
Task 1: Exercise 1 - Vormator Challenge
INSTRUCTIONS
Design and create ONE unique character by using the given sets of shapes. Start with a rough sketch of your character and then use Adobe Illustrator to create the final design.
IDEA AND EXPLORATION
During the week 2 practical session, we are given the 8 specific shapes to design and think of a character.
Figure 4.1 Traced shapes (week 2/05.04.2022)
At first, I was a bit lot as I am the person who not explore on games, I can't think about somewhat with fierce, vivid, amazing character as a reference. So, I went through some weeks to discover some idea and exploration.
My initial idea was to do something fierce like monster, but I realised that I can't produce anything like monster. So, I tried to do something by my style, something charming. As I love bear, so I initially wanted to create a character in bear.
Figure 4.2 head-to-body ratio, Pinterest (week 2/10.04.2022)
I take the Pinterest blog as a reference to create my character, in which "the basic formula for making something appear cute is to enlarge the head and shrink the body. It will gives the figure a mascot-like appearance and also creates more room for the all-important facial features. Making the body fatter and rounder is another common kawaii device because baby animals tend to have endearingly truncated proportions." Then, I began my journey of exploring the shapes and tools.
Figure 4.3 Line idea #1 (week 2/10.04.2022)
After the line idea #1 (figure 4.3), I figure that both character is similar as the Kungfu panda's character (figure 4.4).
Figure 4.4 Kungfu panda's character (week 2/10.04.2022)
Especially with the idea of the hat. I felt depressed as I want to create something special, dissimilar as the existing character. So, I continued my exploration.
One day, when I recall back with my album, I got some exploration. It is a picture that I captured for creating a coversheet of a poster about the blind box.
FYI: Blind Box is a type of packaging that keeps its contents hidden. They are identical in every way and nobody knows which toy is inside.
Figure 4.5 the pic that given exploration (week 3/12.04.2022)
Figure 4.6 screenshot of exploration (week 3/12.04.2022)
Figure 4.7 idea exploration (week 3/12.04.2022)
Then I started my new journey to create something charming :
Figure 4.8 1st attempt (week 3/12.04.2022)
Figure 4.9 2nd attempt (week 3/15.04.2022)
I like the colour of the draft on the right (figure 4.9) which brings a sense of colour balance compared to the left and even the previous. So, I continued discover and explore the tools to create some unique. After a several of days for inspiration, I had finalised a draft for my final character :
Figure 4.10 Final inspiration idea (week 4/20.04.2022)
After the final inspiration, I started to work it via Adobe Illustrator. I combined my character's build-up process in the PDF below (specific feedback are included too!) :
Figure 4.11 Character creation full process - PDF (week 4 - 5 /21 - 29.04.2022)
FINAL OUTCOME
Figure 4.12 Vormator character, Jacquet (week 5/ 29.04.2022)
I named him 'Jacquet' after a proposal from a friend. Jacquet [Jacqu - pet], which translates to "Jacqueline's pet" or "my pet." He is designed to be a character who embodies Jacqueline's personality. An introverted type who conceals himself in social situations and accepts all of life's ups and downs. Despite his fear, he continued to spread positive vibes to everyone around him.
Figure 4.13 detail of sakura (week 5/ 29.04.2022)
To create a sense of harmony and balance between the two character, I added a detail on similarity to the bunny doll, but but and Jacquet which is the sakura logo on Jacquet's napkin and the body of but but.
Figure 4.14 Vormator character, Jacquet - PDF (week 5/ 29.04.2022)
Task 1: Exercise 2 - Vector Illustration
INSTRUCTIONS
Now that you have your monster, you are to create the game card for your character. For game card layout design, you can create your own design or trace any existing template for your card!
IDEA AND EXPLORATION
Because the character conveys a sense of positivity, I utilised the social stereotypes theory to stereotype individuals who are positive usually appear in the shape of nature. As a result, I came up with the concept of designing an outdoor background with trees, clouds, and mountains to give the impression of being in nature.
I documented the full process of the adventures for the background in the PDF below, feel free to have a look ! :D
Figure 5.1 Background Creation full process - PDF (week 5/ 29.04.2022)
I had experimented with the colour platters to tried out the most suitable colour code for the character's background.
FINAL OUTCOME OF BACKGROUND
Figure 5.2 Background Final outcome - JPG (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
Figure 5.3 detailed (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
Figure 5.4 Background Final outcome - PDF (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
The next step after the background had created is to composite the out layer of the card. And, I also recorded the progress as PDF :
Figure 5.5 Card composite full process - PDF (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
I wish to create somewhat an irregular shape. I even added on some elements such as rainbow to make the composition more interesting and alive. Choosing a playful font instead of a format square fonts. I tried to insert my own handwritten font to create a sense of unique for the character which is cheerful and playful.
FINAL OUTCOME OF CARD COMPOSITE
Figure 5.6 Card composite Final outcome - JPG (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
In details :
Figure 5.7 details (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
I added a pot that appears to be dripping down something like a flow, giving the impression of flowing. I also included a detail such as placing the sakura emblem on the side, indicating that it is associated to the character or the character's pot.
Figure 5.8 Card composite Final outcome - PDF (week 5/ 30.04.2022)
FINAL OUTCOME VECTOR ILLUSTRATION
Figure 5.9 Final outcome - PDF (week 5/ 01.05.2022)
FEEDBACK
Following were the feedbacks that received from Miss Anis :
WEEK 5 / 25.04.2022
VORMATOR CHALLENGE
Good silhouette with memorable shapes. Overall, look alright for him! But, you may try with different eye sizes, see how he looks like with big eyes. And try to add a ears hole for him too.
WEEK 5 / 26.04.2022
VORMATOR CHALLENGE
The eyes looks much better. Try to add a mouth for him, and maybe add some details on his napkin!
WEEK 5 / 29.04.2022
VORMATOR CHALLENGE
The outcome is more much better. It is so soft and pastel, he looks so happy. But, try make his tongue in darken red.
WEEK 5 / 30.04.2022
CARD COMPOSITE
The outcome is adorable, the font suit him so much! Compare two colour code, I prefer the left one.
REFLECTION
It might be claimed that it is from 0 to 20 during the period of the 5-week journey. There is a lot more and more to figure out and learn in the design world. At first, I thought that designing something inside the forms would be tough, but after being introduced to the pathfinder and even the shape building tools (AI tools), all of the problems and creativity were uncovered. Thus , I began to construct something more by layering the forms.
During the vormator design, including the character, I observed that everyone had their own creativity, the self-unique capacity to build their own character based on their own experience and opinions. For me, the character was born from my emotions and ideas.According to the lecturer, successful composition requires developing a story for the tale. I'm a story fanatic. I made up a backstory for my character and even named him Jacquet, which translates to "Jacqueline's pet" or "my pet." He is intended to represent the personification of Jacqueline's personality. An introverted personality that conceals himself in social circumstances and accepts all of life's ups and downs. Despite his anxiety, he continued to radiate positive energy to everyone around him. Thus, I believe that stories bring out feelings in the character, and stories are the best composition for him being my character!
In addition, the task had developed me a sense of establishing a strong layout to composite the character.The originality of the character will not be examined if the backdrop, font, or colour are unrelated. Distinct colours and sizes elicit different feelings and contrasts. Furthermore, I have found that adding shadows to the character is a vital step for elements since the dark and light lend focus and contrast to the character. A nice contrast will entice viewers to want to discover more about the character. Overall, the journey was quite engaging. The most enjoyable part is receiving feedback. Receiving positive feedback in the morning will make my day go with positive vibes! :D
It might be claimed that it is from 0 to 20 during the period of the 5-week journey. There is a lot more and more to figure out and learn in the design world. At first, I thought that designing something inside the forms would be tough, but after being introduced to the pathfinder and even the shape building tools (AI tools), all of the problems and creativity were uncovered. Thus , I began to construct something more by layering the forms.
During the vormator design, including the character, I observed that everyone had their own creativity, the self-unique capacity to build their own character based on their own experience and opinions. For me, the character was born from my emotions and ideas.According to the lecturer, successful composition requires developing a story for the tale. I'm a story fanatic. I made up a backstory for my character and even named him Jacquet, which translates to "Jacqueline's pet" or "my pet." He is intended to represent the personification of Jacqueline's personality. An introverted personality that conceals himself in social circumstances and accepts all of life's ups and downs. Despite his anxiety, he continued to radiate positive energy to everyone around him. Thus, I believe that stories bring out feelings in the character, and stories are the best composition for him being my character!
In addition, the task had developed me a sense of establishing a strong layout to composite the character.The originality of the character will not be examined if the backdrop, font, or colour are unrelated. Distinct colours and sizes elicit different feelings and contrasts. Furthermore, I have found that adding shadows to the character is a vital step for elements since the dark and light lend focus and contrast to the character. A nice contrast will entice viewers to want to discover more about the character. Overall, the journey was quite engaging. The most enjoyable part is receiving feedback. Receiving positive feedback in the morning will make my day go with positive vibes! :D
REFERENCE
Pin on Po. Pinterest. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563018691087382/.
Po. Sonja's Adventure Series Wikia. Retrieved from https://sonjas-adventure-series.fandom.com/wiki/Po.
TALKER FRIENDS (GYEONGBUK CHARACTERS). Behance.net. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/102522973/TALKER-FRIENDS(GYEONGBUK-CHARACTERS).
10 tips for kawaii character design. Pinterest. Retrieved from
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/254946028882067726/.
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