ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE / PROJECT 1: Exercises

5.4.2023 - 17.5.2023   l  Week 1 ~ Week 7

Kim Seoyeong    l  0335903

Bachelor of Mass Communication [Digital Media Production]

ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE

Project 1  l Exercises

LECTURES

Week 1: Intro Vormator Tracing

I learned how to trace the line to the shapes with a pen tool and had a 'Bezier game' that teaches how to use the pen tool in various ways. We also had an introduction to this module with an assignment brief. 

Week 2: Vormator Character Design (Shapes, Shape Builder, Blob brush, Pathfinder)

We started working on our first exercise, Vormator character design. We first practiced drawing 8 different shapes using the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator. We need to create a character with these 8 shapes.

Figure 1.1    |    Vormator Shapes

Week 3: Color, Gradient, Pattern, and Texture

We continued working on our own Vormator challenge (character) with 8 shapes. This week, we learned how to add color to the shapes, and how to use gradient, pattern, and texture on the Vormator character from a lecture video. 

Week 4: Illustrated Type (Type(outlined), Pencil Tool, Shaper Tool, Width Tool)

I finalized my own Vormator character and submitted it as exercise 1 this week. I also started my own illustrated typography as exercise 2 for Project 1. We learned about several tools(text tool/create outline/pencil and smooth tool/shaper tool/joining paths/width tool/converting a line to a path) which can use to create our illustrated typography design. 

Week 5: Image Trace, 3D

We learned 3D basics and were taught how to image trace as a 3D shape(rainbow/sushi) or type with some tools in Adobe Illustrator which can be used for exercise 2, illustrated typography.

Figure 1.2    |    Image Trace, 3D Rainbow

INSTRUCTIONS

Exercises 1: Vormator character

For this exercise, we need to design and create 1 unique character by using the given sets of shapes with Adobe Illustrator. 

Our requirements for this exercise:

1. Can rotate, flip and duplicate the shapes

2. Not obliged to use all the shapes

3. Can scale size, but only proportionally

4. No skewing or free transform

5. No altering the original shapes

6. Can add, subtract, intersect, and group elements as you see fit

7. Unlimited color use

8. Can use gradients and texture

9. No outline strokes

10. No background

After I practiced 8 Vormator shapes, I tried to search for some samples of Vormator characters and I decided to create an octopus with a hat and a mustache. This is my visual reference for this exercise.

Figure 2.1    |    Visual reference for Vormator character

My first try-out for Octopus is below. I realized that there is a lack of skills in using the tools in Adobe Illustrator. 

Figure 2.2    |    1st try-out, Vormator character

So I decided to use a gradient on an octopus. and some highlighting. And I also changed to darker colors with the palette that I set up below. This is an outline and a process of my Vormator character. 

Figure 2.3    |    Outline/Progress of Final Vormator Challenge

Final Design_Vormator Character of Exercise 1

Figure 2.4    |    Final Vormator Character

Figure 2.5    |    Final Vormator Character Outline

Explanation/Rationale

The character I created is an octopus. I made it by characterizing an octopus with a soft hat and a mustache. Since I am afraid of the eyes of the octopus, I combined several shapes to make the eyes fierce and made them more lively by using gradation to capture the color of the octopus as much as possible.

Exercises 2: Illustrated typography

For this exercise, I need to design an aesthetically pleasing illustrated typography by using words generated from the Pictionary Generator.

The requirements for this:

1. The illustrations and words complement each other

2. The design makes sense

3. Use non-decorative fonts as the base of the design

First, I picked one option in the Pictionary generator to create my own illustrated typography. The rules for this part are that I need to set it up as 2 words, the game as Pictionary, and the category should be medium. So these two are my random words: soda/swimming pool.

 

Figure 3.1    |    Chosen generated words, Pictionary Generator

Firstly, I sketch my ideas for both two words before digitalization. This is my first idea sketch for my generated words.

Figure 3.2    |    First Idea Sketch

I realized that some designs don't make sense, and some are not illustrated well with their theme. So, I changed some designs based on the first idea sketch. Below is my final idea sketch to digitalize illustrated typography.

Figure 3.3    |    2nd try-out, Idea Sketch

Then, I started to design and illustrate typography. I decided to mix two words in 1 background as two words make sense with my theme. My theme is 'freshness'.

Figure 3.4    |    1st try-out, Illustrated typography

To improve the first try out of my illustrated typography, Both illustrated words are not matched well, and the word 'swimming pool' wasn't noticeable. So I tried to make all words 3D type. And I resize the background, swimming pool, and add a wooden ground near the swimming pool. I also improved some gradients to make a swimming pool 3D in the background.

Figure 3.5    |    Progress of Illustrated Typography

Final Design_Illustrated Typography of Exercise 2

Figure 3.6    |    Final illustrated typography

Figure 3.7    |    Outline of illustrated typography

Explanation/Rationale

The theme of my generated two words 'soda & swimming pool' is freshness. I created the swimming pool as a background since the two words match well. And I put some illustrated objects(man with a swimsuit/swimming tube) which can make my theme consistent. 

FEEDBACK

Week 3: Lecturer suggested me to use some gradient tools to make an octopus more lively instead of texture. And I need to improve more in using several tools on it.

Week 6: I need to adjust the spaces between the letters and illustrations. And I compact the whole thing and put them in the center because it is too spaced out.

REFLECTIONS

While doing these activities, I was able to design by using various tools available in Adobe Illustrator and using them harmoniously and appropriately. When I do illustration, I learned more deeply about various effects and various tools, so I think it will help me a lot with the tasks and assignments I have to do later.