Illustration & Visual Narrative / Exercises
1.4.2021-2.5.2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)
Lew Se Win / 0347637 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Illustration and Visual Narrative
Exercises
LECTURES
The first class of Illustration and Visual Narrative. We meet Ms. Anis and Mr. Kannan in Teams meeting. They gave us a detailed briefing about this module and introduce the exercises that we need to do for this semester. We have to create a new character for the coming exercise. Hence, we have to sketch our own character for this week.
Week 2 - Chiaroscuro
We started with the Biezer game. Mr. Kannan gave us 15 minutes to try out the Biezer game so that we can be more familiar with the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator. After that, we also learned some basic tools in Adobe Illustrator such as gradient, rectangle tool, ellipse tool and different types of strokes. Mr. Kannan gave us a picture of a pear and we are required to illustrate a pear using Adobe Illustrator.
We created the shape of a pear using the pen tool. We also used the knife tool to separate the pear into 2 parts, which are the lighter part and the darker part (shadow). Besides, we also used the knife tool to cut the pear horizontally into pieces (Fruit Ninja).
Figure 2.0.3 Week 2 practice, 9.4.2021
Week 3 - Texture, Pathfinder, Masking, Swatches
For this week, Mr. Kannan started the practical session by teaching us about masking, pathfinder, and swatches in Adobe Illustrator.
INSTRUCTIONS
We are required to design and create one unique character by using the given sets of shapes. There is a total of 8 shapes that we can use for this exercise.
I started to sketch out my ideas in my sketchbook. I would like to create a cute character for this exercise. Hence, most of my sketches have a rounder body.
However, I cannot imagine my sketches with colors and how my character will be after digitalizing it. Hence, I decided to sketch using a digital sketch app.
After getting feedback from Ms. Anis, I decided to choose the character on the right as my character for this exercise. I also did some modifications to that character.
I decided to add the Wurst shape to the waist of my character as a floaty. She is wearing a floaty because my landscape design will be related to water.
Later on, I used Adobe Illustrator to create outlines for my character.
After that, I chose to fill in pink color for my character. She is wearing blue shorts and wearing a red floaty. Besides, I also decided to name my character "BunBun"! The name was inspired by the word bunny.
We have to create a landscape for our characters. I was new to vector art. Hence, I did some research about it on Pinterest.
Later on, I had the idea of having a water theme for my character because BunBun has a floaty on it. Hence, BunBun can be placed at a place that has water such as a river, waterpark, sea and pond.
Figure 2.1 Simple Sketch, 17.4.2021
Next, I tried to create the landscape using Adobe Illustrator.
Figure 2.3 is my first outcome for landscape design. I was not satisfied with this design because I think that the color combination is too dark. Hence, I try to explore more about color combinations for vector art on Pinterest.
This is my second outcome, which I am more satisfied with it. After that, I showed Figure 2.4 to Ms. Anis and the feedback from her is to add more texture to this artwork.
I did some minor changes to my landscape design. I added the outline for all the trees and added more effect to the grass. Besides, I removed the trees behind because I think that they look messy there. I wanted to keep the landscape to be a more simple one.
After that, we are required to create a character game card. I like a game card that has a lighter color design. Hence, I tried to figure out how can my card design looks clean and have clear instructions.
I think that my character is too small in this design. Besides, I think that the card color does not match with my landscape color combination. Hence, I tried to explore more different card designs.
After several explorations, I decided to use the blue stripes background for the card.
It took me a process of trial and error to conclude my final description of my character. I like the first description which said that BunBun is a lifesaver card. However, I decided to go for the second one because I think that will be the best description for my character, BunBun. Besides, I decided to put a water droplet shape at the right top of the card. This is because it can indicate BunBun is a water character and BunBun is related to water.
FEEDBACK
- Ms. Anis said that both character sketches (Figure 1.3) look good, now see how I can use vormator shapes to make this character.
- I need to add texture to my landscape design (Figure 2.5). (water, sky, rock)
- My trees at the back have outlines but other trees no outlines. Hence, I need to balance them.
REFLECTION
I learned a lot in both of the exercises and I did enjoy doing the exercises. Now, I have a better understanding of Adobe Illustrator's tools and many of them are very helpful for illustrations. To be honest, I think both of the exercises are challenging. This is because we are limited to few varmator shapes to create a character for exercise 1. At first, I think that it is impossible to create a nice-looking design with limited shapes. However, other classmates did overcome the challenge and make me feel panic for the first 2 weeks. Eventually, I did enjoy completing the exercise and tried my best to create my character, BunBun. For exercise 2, I had fun creating the landscape and game card. Nonetheless, I think that I can still improve on the landscape design and game card. Lastly, I will be looking forward to the next exercises and I hope I can eventually improve with all the exercises.
Comments
Post a Comment