Illustration & Visual Narrative - Task 1: Exercises

 01/09/2022 - 15/09/2022 (Week 1 - Week 3)

 Ahmad Firas Bin Ahmad Fisal (0345121)

Illustration & Visual Narrative | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media |

Taylor's University | Mr. Hafiz Zamri

Task 1: Exercises + Vormator Challenge 

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LECTURES | TUTORIALS | PRACTICALS

Week 1: Introduction to Adobe Illustrator 

As a previous Foundation in Science student, I never had the chance to try out software specifically like Adobe Illustrator (AI). So, the introductory class we had in Week 1 was my first attempt and I got to explore the Tool Panel, Control Panel and Properties Panel. We dived into some of the most common tools and shapes used in AI and the importance of layers, organisations, canvas size, and ways to import files were highlighted by our lecturer. This 'LEMON' project was meant for us to try out those tools mentioned and it was a good practice because instead, we got to put that knowledge to work for us to further visualise and understand the concept of AI and how essentially any project would revolve around the same tools with different inputs to produce an outcome.

We were also given home tutorials and resources to further explore the software on our own as a self-preparation for next week which will be the task that requires us to be handier and acquainted with the AI.

Figure 1.2 - Home Tutorials / Resources

Week 2-3 : Vormator Challenge 

We had a session dedicated to trying out the Pen Tool, Curvature Tool, etc. that could aid us in completing our tracings and Figure 2.1 is showing my progress in tracings. I would say that I'm noticing that I'm developing my muscle memory on shortcuts, and ways to go about the tools to successfully create desired shapes and curves. 

Our lecturer briefed us on the Vormator Challenge and we were required to create a silhouette with the shapes provided. This challenge essentially challenges artists to create a visual by using only eight shapes.

Figure 2.1 - Tracings

More tools and panels were taught in class as part of the syllabus and also to aid us in our creations for the Vormator Challenge.

We were given a timeline for us to try out the 8 elements in our most creative way to create our own silhouette of a character design. Upon using Adobe Illustrator I was able to create my own character that was inspired by those ancient spartan. Big and robust soldiers fight and slay their way through to be on top of their game. The side character snake was there to represent his pet and also as a symbol of a soldier that is very fierce and scary and in a way 'venomous' to the others.

Figure 3.1 - Vormator Challenge (Silhouette)

Besides showcasing our silhouettes in class for a minor feedback session with our lecturer, we also learned how to utilise the Pathfinder panel in AI. As part of our trial run to test the panel, we are taught to make our own patterns. The duplication of shortkeys and also utilising the rotate tool more accurately to create those patterns are the key to successfully creating these combined shapes with different colours.

Figure 3.2 - Pathfinder Exercises

 

Next, we had a lecture session on the topic of Character Design Basics with our lecturer. It has given us a clear perspective on how plots were given to animation out there and a side task for us to evaluate animations on our own when watching such materials were recommended. Movie title like Inside Out was highlighted because of how detailed everything was in adhering to the content of the lecture. In summary, here are a few of the lecture slides that were highlighted because the overall shapes of the characters' bodies play a big role in determining the characters' plot throughout the animation.

Figure 3.3 - Lecture Slide's Introduction

Figure 3.4 - Examples of a Character Designing (Shapes)

Week 4: Type & Shape and Shape-Builder

Type & Shape and Shape Builder are the topics that we've learned this week. The ability to combine typography and illustration to create a graphical word. 

Gradient, Transparency and Pathfinder panels were used this week for these topics to complement the shape-building of the exercises. 

Figure 4.1 - Type and Shape exercise

Figure 4.2 - Shape Builder exercise

Week 5: Digital Triptych 

A lecture was given by Miss Anis on Composition Theory and the usage of different grounds; foreground, midground and background in our design work to create depth and make it more interesting. We also finalised our Triptych Panel Design assignment and also received more feedback from both of our lecturers before moving on to the next project.

Week 6-7: Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro is a method that uses shadows and a single source of lighting to create depth and drama to the overall design project.

Figure 5.1 - Introduction to Chiaroscuro

Figure 5.2 - Adding Texture to Artwork (Compound Path)

Week 11: Comic Analysis

We were tasked to select one of Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan comics and describe what we think the plot and story behind it are as our analysis activity.

Figure 5.3 - Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan Comic (Analysis Activity)

From this comic section of Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan. we could see that it involves a set of parents and their children. We could see that this lady got pregnant when she was still in school as depicted in the bottom two left panels with scenes of them in being high school lovers. Next we could see that the child was sent for adoption and later the child is than adopted by another couple. The order of pictures were to represent the age of the child.