Illustration and Visual Narrative | Task 4 : Self-Titled

11/12/2023 - 07/01/2024 / Week 12 - Week 14
Yong Zhen Xing | 0359473 | Section 04
Illustration and Visual Narrative | COM61304
Task 4 : Self-Titled

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Contents

1. Lectures
        Week 12

        Week 13

2. Instructions

3. Self-Titled

        Planning

        Process

4. Final Outcome

5. Reflection

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Lectures

Week 12 :
Class Summary :
In this week's class, Mr.Hafiz briefed us on our final task, Self-Titled. He went into detailed on what was needed in the composition along with showing some examples of styles we could use in our poster. He then had a demo showcasing what intertwine is and how we could use it for our poster.

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Week 13 :
Class Summary :
In this week's class, Mr.Hafiz highlights on how you should be utilizing typography in the poster. He also showed us a demo on more useful tool such as the touch type tool, type on path tool and even the free transform tool, all of which we could utilize for our poster. The next tool that Mr.Hafiz showed was the 3D and materials tool. In this tool he demonstrated on how to create realistic 3D shapes as well as adjusting its depth and angle. The final tool he showed was draw inside which could be useful in adding texture to certain objects/shapes.

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Instructions

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Self-Titled

Task 4:
In this final task, I needed to create an artwork/poster based around my interests, dreams or passions. Through Illustration and Visual Narrative, I needed to utilize what I have learned and make the poster look interesting and attractive.

Planning :
First, I needed to begin ideating on our Self-Tilted work. So just like last assignment, we needed a rationale, moodboard and also a sketch. Coming up with an idea with this task was certainly interesting since it was using based on our character background. Below shows the rationale, moodboard and sketch of my Self-Titled idea.

(Click To Zoom In)

 

Fig 1.1, My Self-Titled Rationale (13/12/2023)

Fig 1.2, Self-Titled Moodboard (13/12/2023)


Fig 1.3, Self-Titled Sketch (13/12/2023)

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Process :
After getting the green flag from Mr.Hafiz, I begin working on the poster. The first thing I did was took 2 photos of myself and masked it out to be added to proper A4 format.

fig 2.1, 2.2, Photos Of Me (15/12/2023)

 fig 2.3, Masking Out Subject 1 (16/12/2023)

fig 2.4, Masking Out Subject 2 (16/12/2023)

 

I also masked out part of a mountain following my plan.

 

fig 2.5, Masking Out Subject 3 (16/12/2023)

 

 

Using the masked subjects, I first plan out how the composition would roughly look like first.

 

fig 2.6, Masking Out Subject 3 (16/12/2023)

 

I imported the mountain first in Illustrator so I could make the vaporwave theme. I started with creating the mountain and ground first.

 

fig 2.7, Creating the Mountain and Floor (16/12/2023)

 

fig 2.8, Creating the Mountain and Floor 2 (16/12/2023)

 

 

Then I created the sunset based on the theme. This was the hardest element to create as the sides of the line needed to be adjusted following the side.

 

fig 2.9, Creating the Sunset (16/12/2023)

 

fig 2.10, Positioning the Sunset (16/12/2023)

Then I added a gradient to the sunset as well as added the buildings based on the theme. Glow was then added to enhance the effect of the vaporwave theme.

fig 2.11, Adding Buildings and Glow (16/12/2023)

After a quick import import to Photoshop, I reposition the mid-ground subject so it looks like it is in the artwork.

fig 2.12, Importing To Photoshop (17/12/2023)

Next, I added background and (temporary) ground colour. I also used a brush tool to colour around the 2 main subject to get that pop art style.

fig 2.13, Adding Colour Around the Subject (17/12/2023)

Next was to create the left side of the artwork, first I added onto the other side of the theme which was clouds, music notes and grass. I also gave the music note colour around it for that pop style effect. I also alter a bit from the sketch by replacing the buildings into cloud. This creates a more asymmetrical artwork but still having a balanced composition.

Elements used :

 

fig 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.18, Elements Chosen (24/12/2023)

fig 2.19, Adding Cloud (24/12/2023)

 

fig 2.20, Adding Music Notes (24/12/2023)
 

 

I then added my text I designed in typography. This part was probably the hardest part since I hadn't plan it out. Luckily in that 11 letters I created, I could add a simple phrase that adds a narrative to my artwork, and that is "Into the Sides". This has about the same meaning of "Zones Of Life" but since the artwork could be seen in 2 sides, it was perfect to show the meaning. I also gave it a simple 3D effect with colour which makes it more attractive to look it!

fig 2.21, My "Curvy" Text (16/12/2023)

 

fig 2.22, Adding my Typography Text (24/12/2023)
 

fig 2.23, Giving 3D effect with colour (24/12/2023)

The final part of the artwork would be adding simple "S" shaped strokes around the composition to make it stand out more. For this part, I switched back to Illustrator as I was more used to creating Illustrative elements there. I also utilize the knife tool here to create a split colour stroke as shown below.

fig 2.24, Adding Elements 1 (24/12/2023)

fig 2.25, Adding Elements 2 (24/12/2023)

Another reason I used Illustrator was to create this vaporwave corner border which makes part of the composition look less empty.

fig 2.26, Adding Elements 3 (24/12/2023)

Adobe Illustrator Elements :
The image below shows all the elements made inside of Adobe Illustrator. Tools such as gradient, knife tool, pen tool and outer glow was used to create these elements.

fig 2.27, Adobe Illustrator Elements (24/12/2023)

Final Outcome

Fig 3.1, Final Self-Titled "Zones Of Life"  (24/12/2023)

Artist Statement:
My artwork shows my hobbies I enjoy doing, the scenery mountain and city and the back shows me admiring the landscapes in our planet. The music notes shows that I enjoy listening to music while working with the foreground of me looking down to look like I am doing work. The other side of the artwork shows a slightly different theme as it represent my passion/dream side. The vaporwave theme is to convey something digital slowly being developed. That something would be my passion for game designing/making. The second picture of me in the mid-ground would represent me going to my dreams without much idea or expectation what I am getting myself into. This split enjoyment/passion in theming while I am walking down on the road shows interesting sides of me, a side of what I would call “Zones Of Life”.

That's not all! In Digital Photography and Imaging we had to animate the poster too! To check that part out click here!

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Reflection
Making this artwork/poster for the final project was honestly the most fun assignment I have done in a while since it is creating a poster based on myself. The idea of combining the 3 core modules to have one outcome is such an cool idea. It will test just how good I am at each of the modules and see how much I have learned from each of them. Planning out the composition based on my interests and passion made me think on how I should portray my narrative through one still image. It was fun to use different elements to experiment on what I wanted to show and ask myself, how or why is this element related to me. I found executing the artwork to be enjoyable as I get to see my sketch become into a proper artwork. I also love creating the vaporwave theme in illustrator as it is my favourite theme and seeing it integrated to my poster makes it special. Overall, an amazing ending for the semester and I couldn't be more happier about the end product!

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My Other Illustration and Visual Narrative Task :

Task 1 : Exercises

Task 2 : Decisive Moment

Task 3 : Digital Triptych

Task 4 : Self-Titled (Current)

Final Compilation & Reflection