Illustration and Visual Narrative

 

Illustration and Visual Narrative

26/09/2024 - 17/10/2024 (Week 1 - Week 4)

 Jesslyn Octavia Tjong ( 0374562 )

Illustration and Visual Narrative, Task 1 : Exercises

Table of Contents

I.   LECTURE
II.  INSTRUCTIONS
III. FEEDBACK
IV. REFLECTIONS
V.  FURTHER READINGS

I.   LECTURES

II.  INSTRUCTIONS

Task 1: Vormator Challenge 

This vormator challenge aims to build technical proficiency in Illustrator. As a beginner in Adobe programs, adapting and adopting our creativity in this exercise is challenging. In this task alone, we are restricted to using the eight shapes given in the vormator elements.

Figure 1 "The Vormator Shapes"

These eight shapes are drawn by the pen tool which we learned to efficiently click, drag, and create curves from the pen tool alone. Alternately, from the videos of lectures I watched in Google Classroom, the curvature tool can help speed up the process of the curves that I had used in half of the shapes given above. 

After finishing the first task that sets up our next step in this task, we were told to create a sketch of our creatures. I had barely any ideas and this is what I had come up with for the silhouette first task. My initial ideas were lacking, and the sketches I produced were uninspired. They didn't effectively communicate the creature's identity or story.

                                                                 Figure 2 "Initial Sketch"

In the next class, we were advised to think more about the foundation base shape of what our character is going to be more like. Out of the three shapes we were given, I think it would be fitting and nicer if my creature had a rectangle composition design, which produced my final sketch of this planning process.

Figure 3 "Final Sketch"

In the next class, we were advised to think more about the foundation base shape of what our character is going to be more like. Out of the three shapes we were given, I think it would be fitting and nicer if my creature had a rectangle composition design, which produced my final sketch of this planning process. The more I continued working on this design and I finally thought of a seahorse as an inspiration for this task.

Figure 4 "Silhouette Almost"

Being given a few options of color made me choose triadic colors. Surprisingly, the colors chosen were the opposite colors of a sea creature. To give this character more of a story and a personality, I named it Quaver "The Anxious Seahorse". With final details to create physical details of the body, here comes Quaver's final look and design.

Figure 5 "Quaver Completed"

III. FEEDBACK

IV. REFLECTIONS

Vormator Challenge: The Vormator challenge's restrictions and rules initially proved challenging, forcing me to experiment with various design approaches. While the process was time-consuming, it ultimately enhanced my proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. Being a beginner, I gained a deeper understanding of the program's capabilities and feel much more confident in my ability to create visually appealing designs though it is still progress in understanding and making great character concepts. 

V.  FURTHER READINGS