Illustration and Visual Narrative / Vormator Challenge

01/04/2021 - 02/05/2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)

Ngu Kah Shin / 0347666

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's Design School

Exercise 1: Vormator Challenge

LECTURE

Week 1:

During our first ever lesson, we were introduced to Ms Anis and Mr Kannan. They explained the module content and assignments to be expected in this module. This includes making our very own monster character, create a looping gif, design a Webtoon comic and make a motion comic out of it. Past works done by our seniors were also shown to us. Honestly, I felt really overwhelmed with the tasks to be done throughout the next 14 weeks but I do look forward to learning how to fully utilize the softwares, explore different methodologies and produce a wide range of conceptual ideas to craft an original and exciting narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats!

Week 2:

Mr Kannan patiently guided us step-by-step on how to utilise Adobe Illustrator to create the Chiaroscuro effect. He also asked us to practice using the software during our free time.

Fig 1.1. Screenshots of my attempts on Chiaroscuro on Adobe Illustrator

During our second session, Ms Anis asked who our favourite animated character was and pointed out each of their signature design and iconic looks. Then, she shared the design principles of designing a character.

Fig 1.2. Personal lecture notes and visual research

Week 3:

This week, we learnt how to clip masks and add textures to a solid shape, which can be applied to our Vormator character. Mr Kannan also taught us the use of gradient tool, swatches and how to make patterns on Adobe Illustrator. Miss Anis then guided through a visual technique called compositions. Below are some of the lecture slides I have gathered for reference.

Fig 1.3. 'Composition with Jazza' lecture slides posted on Times

Fig 1.4. Screenshots of Composition lecture, with some side notes on negative and positive spaces written by Ms Anis

Miss Anis made us sketch out some composition based on the tips and tricks she taught earlier. When we were done, she discussed some of our peers' sketches which made me realised some of my sketches were not exactly right. Some of them have a main object/focus, like the fox and rabbit. As for the green coloured sketch, it does not consist of all the three foreground, midground and background. This hands-on practice definitely made me learn more!

Fig 1.5. My sketches on composition, consisting of foreground, midground and background.

Week 4:

Miss Anis explained the importance of perspectives, which can be used to create a sense of depth in illustrations. We were also asked to sketch out 1 point, 2 point and 3 points in 30 mins time, which I have attached mine below.

Afterwards, Mr Kannan further guided us through the use of gaussian blur, mesh tool and xxx of Adobe Illustrator.

Fig 1.6. Lecture notes and perspective sketches

INSTRUCTIONS

HTML LINK

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EXERCISES

Week 1: Vormator character sketch

Our assignment for this week was fairly simple- sketch out our Vormator character by using a limited set of shapes given. I started off by going on Pinterest to find some inspiration. I then drew out some ideas in my sketchbook but found it difficult to maintain the accurate proportions of the shapes. Thereupon, I decided to use Procreate on my iPad to ensure my ideas would look decent in the correct shape ratio.

Figure 2.1. First Sketch on A4 paper

Fig. 2.2, 2.3. Simple design sketches on Procreate

I ended up not using the designs in Fig 1.1 and 1.2 because they were plain and had no personality, I didn't know where to branch out from there. Eventually, I settled on the design in Fig 1.3. She is inspired by the 'Good versus Evil' voices we hear in our heads and often visualised in cartoons as an angel and a devil hovering over the shoulders and whispering things into the character's ears. I decided to combine the two creatures and mould out this devilish angel.

Fig 2.4. Character design sketch

Week 2:

We were asked to start digitalising our Vormator character, the background

and create our own or trace a card template for the character on Adobe Illustrator.

Fig 2.5. My Vormator character illustrated on Adobe Illustrator

Week 3 & 4:

This week, we had to start illustrating our background for our Vormator character's background. This time however, we were not limited to use only the Vormator shapes but to apply the knowledge of using the types of shots like bird's eyeview or worm's eyeview, as well as foreground, midground and background.

Fig 2.6, 2.7. Process on illustrating background

Week 5: Submission week!

FINAL SUBMISSION

FEEDBACK

Week 1:

Feedback on Vormator Character from Ms Anis: Consider changing the 'fingers' of the characters to 'claws'. More details on the feet should be added

Week 2:

Feedback on digitised Vormator Character from my coursemate, Sea Hirayama: The colour of my character seems heavy and gives off angry emotions. The hair could be of a lighter colour to show happy emotion.

REFLECTIONS

Experience

Observations

Findings

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Ellis Ngu Kah Shin [0347666]

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Vormator Challenge

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