ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE - EXERCISES CONTINUOUS
25.9.24 - 16.10.24 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Michelle (0373843)
Illustration & Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative
Media / Taylor's UniversityMichelle (0373843)
Task 1: Exercises
Task 2: Desicive Moment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions & Process Work
Task 1: Vormator Challenge - Character Creation
1.1 Research & Ideation
1.2 Digitalization
1.3 Backstory
Task 2: Composition
2.1 Research & Ideation
2.2 Digitalization
2.3 Backstory
2. Reflection
3. Event (Mural competition - THE SHOW)
INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS WORK
TASK 1: Vormator Challenge - Character Creation
Objective: Learn the fundamentals of vector illustration and character design (proportion, balance, color, and composition) using Adobe Illustrator
In task 1 we are asked to combine, manipulate, and arrange the Vormator shapes
creatively to create our own unique character while adhering to the rules:
- Allowed: resize, rotate, flip, duplicate, and combine objects without altering their proportions
- Not Allowed: stretch, compress, or use shapes outside of the provided Vormator set.
We are encouraged to give our character a backstory, personality, or theme
that influences its design.
RESEACRH & IDEATION
Personal Inspiration
When trying to come up with an idea, I think of the list the things I personally liked and interested in while looking at the vormator shapes given. Then, I go with the first thought that came to my mind which is a flower.
I'm inspired to create a floral character based on my interest in nature. Back in high school I loved biology, and I always enjoyed learning about other living things on earth. I'm always fascinated by the difference in how each creature is constructed, and how unique they are from one another. I wanted to try and create my own character based on the unique features that a flora has.
I studied the biological structure of a flower. Then I also looked at various characters online which has the same theme (nature element, earthy creatures) to gain broader ideas.
Character's Main Shape
After a class about character design, I start to concept my character. I am someone who has quite a soft personality with barely any sharpness, and I want to portray that in my character, so I decided to use circle as my character's main shape.
After having an idea of what my character is based on and its main shape, I drew a sketch.
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| Figure 1.1.1 First sketch |
Above is the first sketch of my character. However, I thought the hair vines and branch arms were too crowded. It also resembles more of a vine than a flower. Therefore, I tried to make another sketch.
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| Figure 1.1.2 Second sketch |
DIGITALIZATION
After completing my sketch, I moved on to digitize it in Adobe Illustrator.
1.Forming character's silhouette with shapes given
After doing some research and idea exploration, I decided to create a
character inspired by nature, particularly flora. I tried to include as many flora elements as possible, from roots legs, stem body, leaf
hands, until a flower head along with a pistil and stamens.
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| Figure 1.2.1 Shapes stripped down |
I want my character to have a duality in its personality. That's why I incorporated sharp points to her who is mostly built using shapes with smooth curves (rounded edges), to add a bit of sharpness as contrast.
2. Applying golden ratio to make character more
proportional
I tried using the golden ratio taught at class to proportion my
character. I did this in hopes of making my character look more
balanced.
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| Figure 1.2.2 Character before golden ratio |
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| Figure 1.2.3 Character in golden ratio |
Figure 2.2.2 on the left is how my character looked like before I adjusted its proportion using the golden ratio. I tend to make my characters have large heads to look chubby and cute. However, at times it could result in my character looking stubby and unbalanced. in this case, things like golden ratio comes in handy. I do actually prefer my character after I altered its ratio.
3. Final Silhouette of the character
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| Figure 1.2.4 Character's silhouette |
I played with the layers of the filled-in shapes as a mean to show or hide
certain parts so they appear like a different shape all together.
4. Character fully colored and shaded
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| Figure 1.2.5 Character colored and shaded |
I used both pathfinder and shape builder to the shapes I used to form my
character in order to create new suitable shapes exclusively for the shadows
and highlights.
BACKSTORY
Her name is Alura, originated from the word "lure" which means a tempt
for some captivating and attractive qualities that may conceal potential
risks or harm. She has a duality of being attractive and delicate but also
fierce, unpredictable, and malignant when needed.
The flat style illustration of the reference above will be perfect for my background design since it is simple it won't distract the eyes from my character. I also liked how the design looked like it was constructed using basic shapes which I personally think suits the style of my character cause it is also build using shapes (vormator).
TASK 2: COMPOSITION
In task 2, we are instructed to create a composition for our character without any limitations to the vormator shapes anymore.
RESEARCH & IDEATION
Since our character will be in a pokemon card, I want to accentuate my character's ability in the composition. My character will have some long and strong roots as one of its power, so to potray that, I used the frame ink below as reference.
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| Figure 2.1.1 Framed ink reference |
I'll create negative space in my composition using my character's roots which will be in the fore ground so it'll be enlarged to indicate distance from the character. My character will be in the mid-ground, and the back-ground will be it's environment/habitat.
For the habitat I'm thinking of making a simple green and blue landscape to indicate nature, as flowers usually grow in a green field. Below are the reference I will use for my design along with the color palette I've chosen.
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| Figure 2.1.2 Background style reference |
The flat style illustration of the reference above will be perfect for my background design since it is simple it won't distract the eyes from my character. I also liked how the design looked like it was constructed using basic shapes which I personally think suits the style of my character cause it is also build using shapes (vormator).
DIGITALIZATION
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| Figure 2.2.1 Digitization |
I create the basic shapes using shapes, pen tool, pathfinder, and shapebuilder. Then I filled in the shapes with earthy colors to match the character's theme and portray its habitat. I lightly added shadows to the character to fit it to the environment better and to give her a bit of dimension. Then I played with the color gradients for the sky, mountain, and the character's roots to give variations of tone to the background. I also used subtle textures to the filled some of the shapes (roots, flower crown, and grass) as little details. I only added very minor addition or adjustments with the shading, gradient and texture to keep the whole flat-illustration-cartoon look.
Final Result
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| Figure 2.2.2 Final Composition |
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| Figure 2.2.3 Final Card |
BACKSTORY
Alura is a floral character, which mainly gains its powers from sunlight. Just like how most plants behave, it grows bigger and stronger in a well sun-lighted areas. It is capable to twist, contort, and lengthen its roots and vines to attack and immobilize foes. While doing so, its roots are also able to absorb the opponent's strength (inspired by the main purpose of a plant's root to absorb nutrient from the soil/host in parasitic plants). On its flower crown are stamens which produces invisible pollens enabling it to disorient and incapacitate enemies. Just like a real flower, it has alluring powers which fools the enemies with its beauty. It only reveals its malignant form in the real battles.
REFLECTION
This whole task was very exciting to do because it promotes us to be lead by our creativity. I enjoyed the process of seeing the resources provided, working with what I got, then coming up with ways to create something original. This task really showed me how limitations is not the real limit, our mind is. So, as long as we have an open mind, there is basically no limit. Overall, I enjoyed the whole learning process in task 1 and task 2. Both are a great introduction and exercise for me to got use to design digitally.
EVENT
THE SHOW - Taylor's Design School
Mural Competition Report
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