Illustration and Visual Narrative / Task 1: Exercises

26/08/2021 - 16/09/2021 ( Week 01- Week 04 )
Sasilvia Cheong Pei Hoong / 0345031 / Bachelors of Design in Creative Media
Illustration and Visual Narrative
Task 1: Exercises

Lectures

Week 1 ( 26/08/2021 )

In the beginning of class Ms. Anis started off by introducing this module and telling us about the module structure. I was really excited as I heard that we are going to create a web comic and publish it on webtoon for our final project. Other than that Ms. Anis also explain about our first task which is to create a character by doing the Vormator challenge where we take shapes that are provided and create a character out of them without adding any other shapes into it. Other than creating our own character we are also required to make a game design card out of it. For this week I am going to start with the sketches for the Vormator challenge to get a closer idea of how I want my final character to look like. 

Week 2 ( 02/09/2021 )

Ms.Noranis asked us three questions during the session:

1) What are your favorite characters?

As I was really into this game called Genshin Impact I decided to answer Scaramouche who is one of the antagonist in the game. Besides that there are various great characters in the game!

Fig. 1.1 Genshin Impact Scaramouche

Fig. 1.2 Genshin Impact 2.1 update official art


2) Why do you like this character?
Personally I liked his whole personality and expression in the game, his character design is unique and the colour palette is aesthetically pleasing. There is also some Japanese culture elements on his clothing.


3) What makes a character design unique?

a) Shapes
- Shapes defines a character's silhouette
- It sets a iconic look to the character 

Fig. 1.3 Aladdin characters  in different shapes 



Fig. 1.4 Phineas and Ferb characters with different head and body shapes


b) Colour
- Colour is important role at determining who are the heroes/protagonists or villains/antagonists
- Colours can also express certain emotions in a character

Fig. 1.5 Neon Genesis Evangelion poster


c) Emphasis & Contrast
- One visual element in a character is picked and exaggerated which makes the character more outstanding and memorable
- Picking a cultural element and adding it to a design makes it uniquely authentic

Fig. 1.6 Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender expressions


d) Harmony
- Shapes, lines, colour, motifs, and patterns should all be combined tastefully.
-Every elements in a design must work together and compliment each other  (A balance of visual elements that has a visual hierarchy)

Fig. 1.7 Inupi and Koko from Tokyo Revengers manga cover


e) Expressions & Poses
- Behavior/quirks/personalities that are visually shown is the most important part of a character
- The audience should be able to interpret them without it being pointed out

Fig. 1.8 Osamu Dazai from Bungo Stray Dogs



Week 3 - Visual Techniques: Composition (1) ( 09/09/2021 )

1) Types of Shots/ Composition

a) Establishing - Wide

Fig. 2.1 Kimi ni No nawa

b) Bird's Eyeview - Looking down, dynamic sense of height/ movement

Fig. 2.2 Free! anime poster


c) "Framing"- Center view


d) Medium Shot- Singular Character

Fig. 2.3 Sawako from Kimi ni Todoke


e) Close-Up

Fig. 2.4 Pain from Naruto Shippuden 


f) Worm's Eyeview- Shot from the ground, intimated, close up to the subject

Fig. 2.5 Setsuko from Grave of the Fireflies


2) Positive and negative spaces 
- Composition rule NO.1
- A balanced distribution

3) Industry Technique:
a) Find a balance of positive and negatives
b) Visual hierarchy
c) Mood
d) Rhythm/ Movement
e) Visual elements that tell a story

4) Six Composition

The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a basic compositional structure where an image is split into 9 segments by using 3 vertical and 3 horizontal line. Subjects of an image are suggested to be placed on the intersected lines.

Fig. 3.1 Hiro from Inuyashiki


Fig. 3.2 Ginoza from Psycho Pass



Background, Midground, and Foreground

Create Environment Art

Fig. 3.3 Background, Midground, and Foreground


Fig. 3.4 Create Environment Art



Contrast
- Contrast is to make an image less confusing and boring

Fig. 3.5 Rengoku from Kimetsu no Yaiba


Detail

Fig. 3.6 Berserk manga


Symmetry vs. Asymmetry 


Fig. 3.7 Naruto from Naruto Shippuden (Symmetry)


Fig. 3.8 Saitama from One Punch Man (Asymmetry)



Week 4 - Visual Techniques: Composition (2) - Perspectives
( 16/09/2021 )

Perspectives
It is to create form, volume, makes buildings recede into the distance and to show light and shadows in an image

Fig. 4.1 "The School of Athens" - Raphael



INSTRUCTIONS



Exercise 1: Vormator Challenge



Fig. 1.1 Template vormator shapes


Fig. 1.2 Sketches of  the character




Fig. 1.3 Final sketch of my character


Fig. 1.4 Final sketch of my character with Vormator shapes





Fig. 1.5 Tested out colours in Procreate

I tested out the colours and shading in Procreate before going to Illustrator to digitalize my character.



Fig. 1.6 Final character with flat colours (12/9/2021)

Ms. Noranis and Ms. Jennifer suggested me to add shadows to my character so that it does not look too flat.


Final Character 

Fig. 2.1 Vormator shapes and  final character in Illustrator (23/9/2021)


Fig. 2.2 Final character (23/9/2021)

I decided to change the colour of the eye as the purple one blends too much with the whole character. I also made the whole colour palette brighter by adjusting the brightness and contrast in Illustrator since the flat colours were too dark and the character was not visible with the background being in a dark colour.




Fig. 2.3 Final character PDF  (23/9/2021)

Only appears during a stormy rainy day causing calamity everywhere it goes, the "Saigai no Yokai" ( also translates as the "Demon of Calamity").  The "Saigai no Yokai" can curse and destroy anyone that appears before it with its ultimate lightning technique known as  "Noroweta Kaminari". People are especially afraid of its hypnotizing powers called "Saimin- jutsu". The two tear droplets on its face was said to be the blood of its victims. The "Saigai no Yokai" may seem to look majestic but if you get involve with it you are not guaranteed to survive.




Tasks 2a- Vector Landscape Illustration




Cards Inspirations

Fig. 1.1 Naruto card game
https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Naruto_Collectible_Card_Game

Fig. 1.2 Tarot cards
https://stylecaster.com/tarot-decks/

Fig. 1.3 Hanafuda cards
https://www.deviantart.com/greysonx/art/Hanafuda-Deck-standart-Nintendo-696400230



Game Card Sketches 

Fig. 2.1 Game card sketch front version 1


Fig. 2.2 Game card sketch front version 2


Fig. 2.3 Game card sketch back

I wanted to make the back of the card as trippy as possible to I drew lines repeatedly to create an illusion like effect.    

Testing Out Background Colours

Fig. 3.1 Testing background colour with character (1)


Fig. 3.2 Testing background colour with character (2)

Tested out some background colours to see which one is more suitable with the character.


Background

Fig. 4.1 Final background and colour pallette



Fig. 4.2 Final Background

I created layers of clouds that goes from white and slowly becoming darker and darker, lightning bolts were also added.


Final Game Card Composition

Fig. 5.1 Game card layout front



Fig. 5.2 
 Game card layout back

Fig. 5.3 Final game card layout in Illustrator


 
Fig. 5.4 Final game card layout 



Fig. 3.2 Final game card layout PDF



FEEDBACK
Week 2 (2/9/2021)- Mr. Anis and Ms. Jennifer both liked the first sketch where Ms. Anis said it was scary while Ms. Jennifer said it was cute.

Week 3 (9/9/2021) - The colours of my character was a bit flat so some shadows was suggested to be added on it.



REFLECTION
At first I thought that having restrictions like using only vormator shapes would be a challenge. But in the end I actually found it super fun, I was really pleased on how my character turned out. The background was satisfying to make especially when the colours comes out super neat and suitable. After using Illustrator for 5 weeks I have gotten used to the tools and functions, I was amazed by the amount of tools provided. I might have gotten a bit dizzy after making the back of my game card but overall I found this to be a really good experience, from picking colours creating a storyline and so on.
 


REFERENCES
Lectures
Fig. 1.1 Genshin Impact Scaramouche
https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Scaramouche

Fig. 1.2 Genshin Impact 2.1 update official art
https://www.hoyolab.com/genshin/article/732875

Fig. 1.3 Aladdin characters  in different shapes 
https://www.animatorisland.com/character-design-practice-shapes/

Fig. 1.4 Phineas and Ferb characters with different head and body shapes
https://creative-analytics.corsairs.network/the-faces-of-analytics-cbd1359d54a5

Fig. 1.5 Neon Genesis Evangelion poster
https://fanart.tv/series/70350/neon-genesis-evangelion/

Fig. 1.6 Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender expressions
https://www.deviantart.com/nylak/art/Zuko-Expressions-Study-110094906

Fig. 1.7 Inupi and Koko from Tokyo Revengers manga cover
https://www.izneo.com/en/manga/shonen/tokyo-revengers-30570/tokyo-revengers-14-71270

Fig. 1.8 Osamu Dazai from Bungo Stray Dogs
https://www.facebook.com/BungouSDSoukoku/photos/dazai-character-designs15-dark-era-present-dead-apple/2084698461823278/

Fig. 2.1 Kimi ni No nawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikVXM-gwb4o

Fig. 2.2 Free! anime poster
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Anime/Free

Fig. 2.3 Sawako from Kimi ni Todoke
https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Visual_Novel_Shot

Fig. 2.4 Pain from Naruto Shippuden 
https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/3ikvj2/any_more_examples_of_anime_using_this_effect_to/

Fig. 2.5 Setsuko from Grave of the Fireflies
https://deasilex.com/why-people-watch-anime/

Fig. 3.1 Hiro from Inuyashiki
https://trinikid.com/inuyashiki-last-hero-season-2-everything-we-know-so-far

Fig. 3.2 Ginoza from Psycho Pass
https://twitter.com/slinky_whippet/status/1060653801680576512

Fig. 3.3 - 3.4 Background, Midground, and Foreground and Create Environment Art
from 

Fig. 3.5 Rengoku from Kimetsu no Yaiba
https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/05/streaming-and-covid-19-have-entrenched-animes-global-popularity

Fig. 3.6 Berserk manga
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/berserk-a-beginners-guide-to-the-game-of-thrones-of-anime-and-manga

Fig. 3.7 Naruto from Naruto Shippuden (Symmetry)
https://variety.com/2015/film/news/lionsgate-naruto-movie-micahel-gracey-1201554281/

Fig. 3.8 Saitama from One Punch Man (Asymmetry)
https://www.ruetir.com/2021/07/06/this-one-punch-man-theory-holds-that-saitama-is-actually-a-monster/

Fig. 4.1 "The School of Athens" - Raphael
from Week 4- Visual Techniques: Composition (2) - Perspectives lecture slides

Exercise
Fig. 1.1 Naruto card game
https://naruto.fandom.com/wiki/Naruto_Collectible_Card_Game

Fig. 1.2 Tarot cards
https://stylecaster.com/tarot-decks/

Fig. 1.3 Hanafuda cards
https://www.deviantart.com/greysonx/art/Hanafuda-Deck-standart-Nintendo-696400230














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