Illustration and Visual Narrative / Task 1 : Vormator Challenge

 25/09/2023 - 03/11/2023 / Week 1 - Week 6

Lim En Yu / 0354452

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University 

Task 1: Vormator Challenge 


TABLE OF CONTENTS







LECTURES

Week 1

First week of the class we have not start the practical session yet as we did not have the access to Adobe Illustrator. Mr Hafiz have bried us about this module and we have been added into the Google Classroom and WhatsApp group. In order to let us familiarize with the pen tool, Mr Hafiz has introduced us a game for learning how the pen tool works, which is "The Bezier Game". We have done practising the tool together by completing the shapes until the certain stage, which is the car shape.


Fig 1.1 Bezier Game Exercise, Week 1 (25/9/2023)



Week 2

Lecture Slides about Character Design Basics:
Fig 1.2 Lecture Slides about Character Design Basics

This week's lecture Mr Hafiz has talked about the reasons that make some famous characters appealing. That are three main reasons which are iconic, simplicity and unique.

Iconic: Immediately recognize these stylized designed characters even in black silhouttes.

Simplicity: Allows viewers to digest and understand the purpose of the characters easily.

Unique: Make unique characters that are not only memorable, but also makes an impact on the viewers.



On the other hand, the next part will be the principles of character design, which are shapes, colour, emphasis, contrast, harmony, expressions and poses.

Shapes: Combining different shapes to make the design iconic and also add some weight to characters' personality.

Colour: Separate the basic characteristics of heroes, villains and even background characters as different colours give different impressions and emotions.

Emphasis: To make the characters more iconic, it is possible to emphasis on the same tone of colour.

Contrast: Contrast of different tone of colours or contrast of personalities with physical appearance can also exaggerate to memorate.

Harmony: All shapes, lines, colour, motifs, patterns
must be put together in a tasteful manner.

Expression & Poses: Creating vivid visualizations of your characters' behaviors, idiosyncrasies, and personalities make it easier to appeal+ your audience.



WEEK 3

Lecture Slides about Chiaroscuro:
Fig 1.3 Lecture Slides about Chiaroscuro

Mr Hafiz has explained about what Chiaroscuro is:

  • An Italian term which means 'light-dark'.
  • The use of light and dark to create the illusion of three-dimensional volume on a flat surface.
  • Chiaroscuro serves the purpose of increasing the dramatic tension in a scene by amplifying the significance of the subject through the use of color or light contrast.
Chiaroscuro is used in visual narratice because it is a highly effective lighting technique for distinguishing between positive and negative spaces.

Positive space: Refers to subject matter or object of interest in a visual.
Negative space: Refers to the filled space or background that surround subject matter or object of interest in visual.


Week 4

For week 4, we have learnt about colours and blending mode. Within Illustrator, there are six blending modes available: Normal, Darken, Lighten, Contrast, Inversion, and Component. Each of these modes operates uniquely, so understanding when to apply each one for specific effects is crucial.

Fig 1.4 Colours and Blending Modes

Here are some links that Mr Hafiz have given us as references and guides:



Practical Class- Chiaroscuro Exercise

Fig 1.2 Pear picture for Chiaroscuro Exercise, Week 3 (9/10/2023)

We were given a pear picture by Mr Hafiz to carry out Chiaroscuro exercise. Mr Hafiz has shown us some examples of it and he has also demonstrate the steps of using the tools to carry out the exercise.

Fig 1.3 Examples of Chiaroscuro Pear, Week 3 (9/10/2023)

While learning the techniques of creating these figures, we are familiarizing ourselves to the tools so that we can also apply it to our vormator character. We are required to do the same things as what Mr Hafiz has shown us following the steps. These are my work during practical class:
Fig 1.4 My work for Chiaroscuro exercise, Week 3 (9/10/2023)


In the following week, we have also did another chiaroscuro exercise which we need to trace out the shape and shadow of a man using Adobe Illustrator. Mr Hafiz has shown us a demonstration of creating it before we carry out the practice. The ways of doing it is similar with the process of creating the pear but this time will add in the texture. 

Fig 1.5 Examples of chiaroscuro people exercise, Week 5 (23/10/2023)

Fig 1.6 My work for chiaroscuro people exercise, Week 5 (23/10/2023)

After that, I have found a watercolour gradient texture on pinterest as the shadow's texture. Here is the result after I make a clipping mask the shadow with the texture:

Fig 1.7 Outcome for texture applied, Week 5 (23/10/2023)


INSTRUCTIONS
Fig 2.1 Module Information


Task 1: Vormator Challenge

During the second week of our classes, most of us have gotten access to Adobe Illustrator, allowing us to carry out the practical sessions. Mr. Hafiz provided us with an overview of our first task, known as the "Vormator Challenge." In this assignment, each of us was provided with a set of basic shapes to craft our unique designs.

Fig 3.1 Set of Shapes given, Week 2 (2/10/2023)

Mr. Hafiz demonstrated the use of the pen tool to help us recreate these shapes based on the provided images. Additionally, he showcased examples of characters that could be constructed using these shape sets. Consequently, our assignment for the week involved crafting these shapes and designing our own characters using Adobe Illustrator.

Fig 3.2 Vormator Shapes Tracing, Week 2 (9/10/2023)



Fig 3.3 Examples of Vormator Challenge, Week 2 (9/10/2023)

To familiarize myself with Adobe Illustrator tools, I have tried to create the same monster with the example given.

Fig 3.4 Attempt on creating Vormator Monster, Week 2 (2/10/2023)

On the other hand, I have also started to design my own characters using the set of shapes given. I have designed two characters while one is based on the concept of monster and one is just design that I like.


Fig 3.5 Explorations, Week 2 (2/10/2023)


After receiving feedback from Mr Hafiz, I have chosen the second character as my vormator character. Other than that, Mr Hafiz has also given feedback on my charater, he adivised me that I should add more design on the upper part of character so that it looked more balanced.


Inspirations

Fig 3.6 Inspirations, Week 2 (2/10/2023)

I want to create a character that is cute but mystery as well. Therefore, I combine the goose with flower, which is a bit similar with the idea of first picture. After that, I add an eye with love shape iris at the middle of the flower. I want to create an image of this character that it is something magical and powerful thus I added these elements in it.

Fig 3.7 Initial idea, Week 2 (2/10/2023)

Fig 3.8 Improvement on initial idea, Week 3 (10/10/2023)

After I confirm with the overall design, I started to work on the gradient part of the design. I choose to use the freeform gradient tool so that it is easier for me to adjust the direction of the gradient and the change in colour.

Fig 3.9 Gradient colour on petal and pattern of petal, Week 4 (16/10/2023)

Fig 3.10 Gradient colour on body, Week 4 (16/10/2023)

Fig 3.11 Gradient colour on heart, Week 4 (16/10/2023)

Fig 3.12 Gradient colour on legs, Week 4 (16/10/2023)

Fig 3.13 Details of heart shape eye, Week 4 (16/10/2023)

Here is the result after adding the gradient and some minor changes of the character:

Fig 3.14 Character after adding gradient, Week 4 (16/10/2023)


After completing the design of my character, I progressed with the background of it. My concept about the background is relate with nature and jungle. Therefore, I create a background with waterfall and willow as willow is one of my favourite tree.

Fig 3.15 Progress of background #1, Week 6 (1/11/2023)

Fig 3.16 Progress of background #2, Week 6 (1/11/2023)

Fig 3.17 Final Outcome with background, Week 6 (1/11/2023)

Upon completing the character and its background, I inserted it into the Pokémon card, adding all the necessary information, powers, and descriptions. As a result, my Pokémon card was successfully finished.
Fig 3.18 Pokémon card, Week 6 (1/11/2023)


Feedback

Vormator Challenge:

For initial exploration of ideas, Mr Hafiz suggested me which design I should choose between two of the designs I made and give me suggestions on which part I could make improvements. For example, Mr Hafiz suggested me that I should add more designs on upper part of character to showcase a balance among the design. Moreover, Mr Hafiz also ask me to add gradient on the shape of the vormator to make it looks more complicated and have more content in it. 


Reflection

By completing the Vormator Challenge exercise, I gained a substantial understanding of using Adobe Illustrator. Initially, I had no prior experience with Adobe, and I was unfamiliar with its functions and features. However, I acquired new abilities in generating various effects for my character with each lesson. Through consistent practice with the provided exercises, I gradually became more proficient with Adobe Illustrator. Prior to finalising my character, I made lots of changes to my design until I deemed it perfect. I frequently questioned whether my design was of sufficient quality, but I confirm with it after getting opinions from Mr Hafiz.

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