07/04/2023 - 12/05/2023 / Week 1 - Week 6
Joey Lok Wai San / 0350857
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media Project 1: Exercises
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. Instructions Exercise 1 - Vormator Character Exercise 2 - Illustrated Typography 3. Feedback
LECTURES
WEEK 1
Mr. Hafiz gave us an introduction to this module, the assignments, and Exercise 1: Vormator Character. We were then introduced to Adobe Illustrator, along with the workspace and tools we will be using.
The main tool we used this week was the Pen Tool. To become familiar with this tool, we played the Bezier Game. Mr. Hafiz taught us how to trace out the Vormator Shapes using the pen tool. We were tasked to trace out all the Vormator Shapes before the next class
Fig 1.1 The Bézier Game
Iconic: Can immediately recognize their silhouettes. Simplicity: Easy to understand the purpose of the character Unique: No other character looks like it
Mr. Hafiz then taught us how to use the pen tool, shape builder tool, and pathfinder to build the vormator shapes using a different method.
Fig 1.2 Week 2 Exercises
WEEK 3
There were no lessons this week as it was a public holiday. We watched the lecture tutorial on how to add color, gradient, pattern, and texture. It was recommended to use the website ‘Adobe Color’ to create and choose color themes. We also learned how to use the direct selection tool, shape builder tool, assign flat colors, create shadows, etc.
Fig 1.3 Week 3 Exercise
WEEK 4
In the first part of this week’s lessons, Ms. Anis briefed us about the MyTIGER competition and Exercise 2 (Illustrated Typography). In the second half, Mr. Hafiz demonstrated how to use the pencil tool in Adobe Illustrator. The pencil tool is a quick way to draw out any shapes.
Fig 1.4 Week 4 Exercises
WEEK 5
We followed video tutorials on creating 3D effects for sushi, rainbow and a flora font style. Mr. Hafiz then elaborated further on creating the 3D effects using different methods. We also learned how to intertwine objects in Illustrator as well as applying shadows and lighting behind the 3D objects.
Fig 1.5 Week 5 Exercises
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Fig 1.6 Week 5 - Flora 3D
Exercise 1 - Vormator Character
In Exercise 1, we are required to design and create one unique character by using the given sets of shapes with Adobe Illustrator (Ai).
Rules:
- Can rotate, flip, duplicate, and scale shapes proportionally
- Not obliged to use all the shapes
- No skewing or free transform
- No altering the original shapes
- Can add, subtract, intersect, and group elements as you see fit
- Unlimited color use
- Can use gradients and texture
- No background
Example of Vormator Challenge:
Fig 3.1 Monster World - Vormator Challenge
1. Shapes
To start the Vormator Challenge, we first traced out the shapes in Adobe Illustrator using the Pen Tool.
Fig 3.2 Vormator Shapes
Fig 3.3 Vormator Shapes Tracing
2. Experimentation With Shapes
I began experimenting with the shapes after I had traced them out, combining them to create a few different characters. These are some rough character designs and their outline.
Fig 3.4 Character Design Experiment in Adobe Illustrator
3. Character Design
I then proceeded to make a more detailed character using the shapes.
Fig 3.5 Character Design First Draft
My first draft was a little too plain, so decided to I develop and further build my character’s body. I also wanted to give my character more personality. The horns looked like tree branches which made me expand on that idea. I added leaves to its body parts, which I drew inspiration from trees and woodland characters.
Fig 3.6 Character Design Further Development
I was quite happy with how my character looks now. I altered a few things before getting my final outline.
Final Character Outline
Fig 3.8 Final Vormater Character Outline
4. Adding Colour
I added color to my character. I went for a green and brown color scheme to match the tree/nature look.
Fig 3.9 Adding Color
To finish off, I added some gradients and did some adjustments before getting the final design.
Final Character Design
Fig 3.10 Final Vormater Character Design
In Exercise 2, we are required to design and create two illustrated typography using the words generated from a Pictionary Generator.
The challenges are:
- The illustrations and words complement each other
- The design makes sense
- Use non-decorative fonts as the base of the design
1. Generating the Words
The two words I have got using the Pictionary Generator are "Juice" and "Lighthouse."
Fig. 4.1 Pictionary-Generated Words
2. Sketches
I did a few sketches for both of these words. Since we are allowed to use as many graphical elements as we want, I tried my best to come up with illustrations that complemented the words.
Lighthouse
When I got the word “Lighthouse”, the first thing that came to mind was that the letter "I" resembled the shape of a lighthouse. I decided to go in that direction and drew out a couple concepts for the word.
Fig. 4.2 “Lighthouse” Initial Sketch
My initial sketch was really plain and basic. I improved on this by turning it into a whole landscape (because why not make things more difficult for myself?). I'm a lot more pleased with how it appears now, and chose to digitize this sketch.
Fig. 4.3 “Lighthouse” Improved Sketch
Juice
The other word I got was “Juice”. I had quite a few ideas for the word. My initial idea was to make the letter "U" represent a cup of juice. However, after some research, I discovered that it was a widely used concept.
Fig. 4.4 “Juice” Initial Sketch
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Fig. 4.5 “Juice” Further Exploration Sketches
Fig. 4.6 “Juice” Improved Sketch
3. Digitization
Lighthouse
I digitized the word in Adobe Illustrator. The base of the design is a Univers font - with some distortions using anchor points. I am mainly using the pencil tool, pen tool, and curvature tool to digitize the entire artwork.
Fig. 4.7 “Lighthouse” Outline Digitization
I then added color to my design. I used my knowledge of the gradient tool from Week 3 to create the light effect.
Fig. 4.8 “Lighthouse” Color and Gradients
Fig. 4.9 “Lighthouse” Details
I wanted a simple illustrated design for the word and did not add too many elements to my design.
Juice
I drew the outline of the orange juice cup first using the pen and curvature tool, then added the colors to the whole illustration. On the letters and cups, I applied the 3D effect and shadows. I added texture to the illustrations after I applied colors to make them look more genuine.
Fig. 4.10 “Juice” Outline Digitization
I applied the 3D effects, using the “inflate” option. I adjusted the shadows to be behind the wording, and adjusted the intensity and lighting. The 3D effect makes the cup pop out more, and somewhat more realistic. I tried out different shadow options and 3D effects, but my computer crashed while doing so. Other than that, I feel the effect did not make much of a difference. I am quite satisfied with the way it looks overall.
Fig. 4.11 “Juice” 3D Effects and Shadows
Fig. 4.11 “Juice” Details Final Illustrated Typography
Fig. 4.12 “Lighthouse” Final Illustrated Typography
Fig. 4.13 “Juice” Final Illustrated Typography
Fig. 4.14 “Lighthouse” Outline View in Adobe Illustrator
WEEK 6
Think about adding contrast to the designs - how can it stand out more? Instead of grey windows in the lighthouse, make them yellow to stand out. Add a leaf to the orange slice, the pop of green will add contrast to a mostly orange design.
Experience
My experience with this project was neither good nor terrible. This project has taught me a lot about Illustrator. However, it was also difficult to find and utilize the tools I needed - not to mention it kills my laptop every time too. The vormator character design pushed me to think outside the box on how to create a character with limited resources/shapes provided. The illustrated typography exercise reminded me of my typography module, but simpler due to the fact we could use as many graphical elements as we desired. Overall, I enjoyed the exercises but despise Illustrator.
Observation
I observe that I learn better when watching back the lecture recordings. By rewatching the lecture, I am able to take notes and practice my skills in Illustrator. When I follow the lecture and do my work at the same time, it helps with my ability to retain information. Not everything can be learned during lecture sessions, so I had to Google a lot of my how-to queries.
Findings
I found that creating a character with limited shapes is quite difficult, on top of all the rules there are to follow. I also found that Illustrator has lots of terminology and hidden tools that I am yet to be familiar with. I doubt I stop fighting with Illustrator anytime soon, but to become better at it, we must practice, take into consideration the tools we use and shout at our laptop whenever it lags.
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