Illustration and visual narrative

 

NABIL JULIUS DORN (0370978)

Illustration and Visual narrative | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Task

Lectures

Week 1:

In todays class, Mr. Hafiz gave us a briefing on the course outline and the module information. He also told us what was required from us and his expectations from us.

This is the module information booklet

Week 1:

In this class, Mr. Hafiz introduced the different features Adobe Illustrator provided and  some basic tools we'll be using during this module.

Week 2:

He briefed on the importance of vectors and the usage of pen tool. He then introduced us to a game that requires us to familiarize ourselves with the pen tool, called The Bezier Game. This tool is important as its used in more than one illustration program such as Photoshop and Maya.

Fig 1.1 The Bezier Game

Task 1

Description: 

In class exercises, digital and analogue. To show competencies in; tacit making skills, digital proficiencies as well as analogous abilities.

- Tracing shapes using pen tool

- Vormator challenge character

Exercise 1:

For the first exercise, we were instructed to use the pen tool to recreate the vormator shapes in Adobe Illustrator that was provided by Mr. Hafiz

Fig 1.2 Traced vormator shapes, week 1

The next exercise we were required to do is to make our own character silhouette. We are limited to the shapes provided from the first exercise (fig 1.2)

Fig 1.3 Vormator character (1)

Using the given shapes, I made the first character shown in Fig 1.3 but decided it was lacking any personality and depth. I then proceeded to play around a bit more and create something else.

Fig 1.4 Vormator character (2)

Fig 1.5 Vormator character finalized

I then made a character I was more keen on and proceeded to use this vormator in the next part of the assignment.

We were required to create a Pokémon card using the Vormator character, made previously.

Fig 1.6 Pokémon card

I had a bit of fun with the character skill creation, background and general layout of the Pokémon card.

Skill description:

Attack: Flambe Flamboyance

Type: Fire

Effect: Flamagon goes full chef mode, flambeing its opponents with such finesse that they cant help but applaud before realizing they're on fire. Flip a coin, if heads, the opponents active pokemon is now Burned and Confused. If tails, the opponents active Pokémon is now burned and has its retreat cost increased.

Damage: 100

Attack: Dragon Breath Fresher

Type: Fire, Grass

Effect: Flamagon exhales a gust of fiery breath infused with the essence of minty freshness. Flip a coin, if heads, the opponent's active Pokémon is now Burned and Paralyzed. If tails, the opponents active Pokémon is now Burned and Confused. Opponents might be too busy brushing their teeth to battle!

Damage: 70

Retreat effect:

Minty fresh flames scorch and confused, leaving behind a minty aroma as it escapes.

Exercise 2:

In this exercise, we were instructed to use the Pen tool, Knife tool, Shape Builder and Path Finder tool to design a pear shape from the given picture and color it in based on the shadows and highlights. We were then free to play with the shapes and tools in Illustrator to make our own versions.

Fig 2.1 Pear image provided

Fig 2.2 Traced pear image 

Fig 2.3 Final design of Pear Chiaroscuro

In the next part of the Chiaroscuro exercise, we then were required to trace a different image and use clipping masks to overlay some textures onto the traced image.

Fig 2.4 Original image

Fig 2.5 Traced image

Fig 2.6 Final image

I decided to use some gradients I found from Pinterest as I liked the look of it overlayed onto the traced image.

Feedback:

Week 5:

Mr Hafiz approved of my Vormator design and told me to carry on with the next part

Week 7:

Mr Hafiz approved of my Pokémon card design and character

REFLECTION

During this task, we were told to create a character using the Vormator shapes provided. We then had to use that character and make a Pokémon card giving it different ability descriptions, strengths, weaknesses and health. 

This task allowed us to be creative with the creation of our character and Pokémon card. It was fun to see our characters come alive while creating the card, making it possibly seem like an actual Pokémon.