Illustration & Visual Narrative | Task 2 : Decisive Moment
2023.11.08 - 2023.11.22 Week 07 - Week 09
Tracy Angeline Tio / 0362222 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Illustration & Visual Narrative / Taylor's University
Task 2 ( Decisive Moments )
1. LECTURES
- Design Flow :
1. Gestalt Law of Closure
- Law of Closure : Object grouped together are seen as a whole. It tend to ignore gaps and complete contour lines. In the image above, there are no triangles or circles, but our minds fill in the missing information to create familiar shapes and images.
- Scott McLoud's theories descirbes the transitions into six parts which is :
4. PROJECT 2
NOTES :
- Included Tutorial*
- More Lectures (1-5) in Task 1 : Vormator Exercises
LECTURES 6-7 (Composition Theory 1,2,3, 3-Acts Structure)
Composition Theory 1 (Visual Types and Compositions)
- Composition in design simply means the arrangement of the elements in your visual. For Example, when you take a photo, you end up making conscious decisions about what items to include or exclude.
- The most challenging part in composition is how to arrange the elements in your visual effectively – and the answer is to arrange them in a way that brings out meaning.
- Composed shots should consciously arranged the focus of the scenes.
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| Fig 1.1 Composition Example Week 7 08/11/2023 |
- Basic Composition Visual Rules :
- Visual Narrative : The composition should complement your subject focus and reflect the narrative. Think and feel to get their emotion on the same page.
- Visual Flow : The composition also determines the path of a viewer's eye through the visual.
- Visual Balance : The visuals in arrange to balance the composition in the scene.
- Visual Hierarchy : The visuals are arrange in such ways that directs viewer's eyes to spesific details first.
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| Fig 1.2 Visual Rules Example Week 7 08/11/2023 |
- Different Types of Shots :
- Establising : Wide shots were often used to establish not just the setting, but to portray spectacle and give audiences the chance to take in all the splendor and grandeur of a location.
- Bird's Eyeview : Overhead shots, when POV placed directly above the subject.
- Frame Within A Frame : It can fracture screen space, add depth, and create visual interest in your cinematic compositions.
- Medium Shot : It also called three-quarters shot, which obviously frame a character (between a close-up and long shot)
- Close-Up : Is an intimate moment, a look into a character's mind. Used to catch emotions.
- Worm's Eye View : Is a type that taken from a low angle, looking up at the subject.
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| Fig 1.3 Types of Shot Example Week 7 08/11/2023 |
Composition Theory 2 (Perspective)
- Perspective is The art of representing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other.
- Your visual should capture these rules on :
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| Fig 1.4 Perspective Types Week 7 08/11/2023 |
- One-Point Perspective : Here a single vanishing point establishes the guide lines. All objects recede toward this one point.
- Two-Point Perspective : There are vanishing points on either side of the horizon, and the objects and buildings within the scene are drawn to both of these vanishing points. It give object more of a sense of a dimension and place.
- Three-Point Perspective : This is most useful to achieve a sense of drama and scale, or to show more objects in a single scene.
- Isometric View : For creating detailed concepts of individual buildings, it’s more beneficial to use a simple isometric view, since it allows you to clearly present three sides of your design.
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| Fig 1.5 Perspective Example Week 7 08/11/2023 |
- Dynamic Application : While perspective is extremely useful and can be applied to almost any illustration or scene, it doesn’t need to be rigid or boring, and you don’t need to adhere to the perspective method in a strict way. Example :
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| Fig 1.6 Dynamic Apllication Week 7 08/11/2023 |
Composition Theory 3 (Fore, Mid, and Background)
- Together with the other theories, there are 3 type of element position :
- foreground : close to the viewer -- using size differences and colour contrast
- middle-ground : far away -- size differences and light/shadow contrast
- background : far away -- shapes and light/shadow contrast
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| Fig 1.7 Different Type of Planes Week 7 08/11/2023 |
- Design flow is a good arrangement of visual focus using foreground, middle-ground and background should also indicate a sense of movement, and rhythm in your design.
- A design with good flow will lead the viewers' eye throughout the layout.
- Able to influence the way the viewer will digest your content.
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| Fig 1.8 Design Flow Example Week 7 08/11/2023 |
3-Acts Structure
Storytelling Basics :
- Central Theme : It's the main idea or underlying meaning. It's the storyteller's personal opinion on the subject matter. A story may have both a major theme(intertwined and repeated throughout the whole narrative), minor theme (appears ore subtly, and doesn't necessarily repeat).
- Conflict : is what drives the story. it's what creates tension and build suspense.
- Characters : the player in story. It has central character, protagonist, antagonist
- Central characters : these are vital to development off the story. The plot revolves around them.
- Protagonist : protagonist is the main character of story that has a clear goal to accomplish or a conflict to overcome.
- Antagonist : Oppose protagonists, standing between them and their ultimate goals. It can presented in the form of any person, place, thing, or situation.
- Three-Acts Structure :
- Setup : The world in which the protagonist exist prior to the journey. The setup usually ends with the conflict being revealed.
- Rising Tension : The series of obstacles the protagonist must overcome. Each obstacle is usually more difficult and with the conflict being revealed.
- Conflict : The point of highest tension, and the major decisive turning point for the protagonist.
- Resolution : The conflicts conclusion. its where the protagonist finally overcomes the conflict, learns to accept it, or is ultimately defeated by it.
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| Fig 1.9 Example of Three Acts Structure Week 7 08/11/2023 |
LECTURES 8 (REPLACEMENT FOR WEEK 5)
Pencil Tool (Shortcut "N")
- A Pencil tool is to design more free-form paths similar to how we usually draw on paper using a pencil.- Drawing with the pencil tool in Illustrator is straightforward. First, activate the tool using either the toolbar or the keyboard shortcut ‘N’. Then, click and drag your mouse or stylus on the canvas to create your desired shape or path. The pencil tool will automatically smooth out your strokes, giving you clean and accurate results.
- Pencil tool function :
- Used for drawing freestyle line segments
- Can create any shape you want. this is briliant for designers who want to dive right in and create artwork from scratch
- Pencil tool capability to support variable widths and pressures of stroked paths.
- It provides the best balance between line accuracy and line smoothness.
- The paths created using the pencil tool can also be edited easily by tracing over the previous path. This makes it even more effortless to get the exact path you're looking for.
- An excellent alternative to the pen tool in case you're looking for a simple way to outline, trace, details or create new artwork.
- This video shows the tutorial to gain more information about pencil tool :
Fig 1.10 Master the Pencil Tool Week 8 15/11/2023
Fig 1.11 Pencil & Smooth Week 8 15/11/2023
Fig 1.12 How to Customise Font in Ilustrator Week 8 15/11/2023
LECTURES 9 (Transition / Animations)
Transitions (Briefing)
- Transitions means an epoch or stage of change from one style or state of development in art to the next succeeding.
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| Fig 1.13 Transition Example Week 9 22/11/2023 |
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| Fig 1.14 Closure Example Week 9 22/11/2023 |
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| Fig 1.15 Closure Example #2 Week 9 22/11/2023 |
- Scott McLoud's theories descirbes the transitions into six parts which is :
- Moment-to-moment : it shows basic movements occuring
- Action-to-action : it shows a single subject progressing through a spesific movement
- Subject-to-subject : it stays within a spesific scene or idea and call for more reader involvement
- Scene-to-scene : it take place across significant distances within time and space
- Aspect-to-aspect : is unique in that it shows different aspects occuring simultaneously within the same scene
- Non-sequitur : it provides no logical connection between panels
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| Fig 1.16 Example of Scott McLoud's Transition Week 9 22/11/2023 |
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Additional Information : Editorial Illustrations
- Editorial Illustrations are produced for newspapers, magazines and websites to add a visual dimension to a piece of writing. This serves two main functions – it helps to grab the attention of the reader as they browse the publication, but can also help to add a new perspective to the article.
- Editorial illustrations always accompany the text. The main aim of this type of illustration is not just to sell something and draw attention (like packaging or advertising illustrations) but to add imagery to the text and better express the idea and overall mood.
- There are many type of editorial illustrations, it depends on the text they are drawn for. Here are some example :
- Web resources (blogs, web magazines, or news portals). Illustrations for Instagram posts would also be editorial.
- Adult books: fiction and non-fiction books
- Children's books: encyclopedias, atlases, Wimmelbuch (book with many detailed illustrations that's used as a children's game), interactive books for tablets
- Printed newspapers and magazines
- Folktale, Legend, Urban Legend.
Fig 1.17 Example of Editorial Illustrations Week 07 08/11/2023
2. INSTRUCTIONS
TASK 2 : DECISIVE MOMENT - 20%
In this assignment, you will create a minimalist editorial illustration based on an urban legend of your choice using Adobe Illustrator. Your illustration will be designed for a digital media publication and should include minor animations to enhance engagement.
- Here are step by step to understanding the project you shall read :
- Choose an urban legend that interests you and aligns with the editorial theme.
- Research the chosen legend thoroughly and gather visual references.
- Create a concept mood board to explore the style, color scheme, and overall visual direction.
- Write a brief description of your chosen urban legend and how you plan to interpret it in a minimalist style.
- Begin sketching your editorial illustration. Focus on creating a clear and compelling composition.
- Develop your illustration in Adobe Illustrator. Pay attention to clean lines, simple shapes, and minimalism.
- Experiment with the use of color and typography, keeping the editorial context in mind.
- Start planning the minor animations you intend to incorporate.
- Refine your illustration, paying close attention to details, balance, and visual impact.
- Add animations to your design using Adobe Illustrator or other animation software.
- Test the animations to ensure they enhance the overall narrative without being distracting.
- Write a short artist statement explaining your design choices, including how your illustration reflects the chosen urban legend and the editorial context.
- Submit your completed editorial illustration as a high-resolution digital file (preferably vector format).
- Include a link to a presentation or video demonstrating the animations.
- Submit your artist statement and any process documentation.
- Your assignment will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Concept and interpretation of the urban legend (20%)
- Design quality and minimalist style (30%)
- Effective use of color, typography, and layout (20%)
- Integration of minor animations (15%)
- Artist statement and process documentation (15%)
3. PRACTICAL
Exercises 1 : Transparency, Gradient and Noise
In this task, we were given an illustration of tail and people, like example below. We need to create textures by adding shading to the illustration using the grain effect combined with linear, radial, and freeform gradient.
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| Fig 3.1.1 Example Illustration Given Week 7 08/11/2023 |
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| Fig 3.1.2 The Progress of Exercises 1 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
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| Fig 3.1.3 Result (1) Exercises 1 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
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| Fig 3.1.4 Result (2) Exercises 1 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
Exercises 2 : Pencil Tool
In this task, we were given an object sample that we need to redraw it using the pencil tool following the tutorial in the lectures. To activate the pencil tool, click the logo and press N to activate.
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| Fig 3.1.5 The Progress of Exercises 2 Week 8 15/11/2023 |
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| Fig 3.1.6 Result of Pencil Tool Exercises (1) Week 8 15/11/2023 |
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| Fig 3.1.7 Result of Pencil Tool Exercises (2) Week 8 15/11/2023 |
4.1 Research (WEEK 7)
1. Story Research
Due to the assignment is posted on week 6, I just started in that week, so I didn't had any progress in previous week. In this week, Mr Hafiz, assigned us to choosing the urban legend story and then create a moodboard based on our choosen legend. The moodboard contains the references used, storytelling the illustration in detailed statement.
I choose urban legend from Japan called "Okiku Doll"
Okiku Doll is an urban legend from Hokkaido on 1918. One day, a 17 years old boy is walking around and suddenly look a pretty and elegant doll with the bob haircut. He then bought the doll for his sister named Okiku.
Okiku always playing with these doll and considered it like her best friend. She treated the doll like her sister and called the doll like her name, Okiku.
Next year in 1919, Okiku passed away because of illness at age 3. Her family want to buried the Okiku with the doll but it can't for some reason. Finally, Her family displayed the doll, named Okiku, on an altar in remembrance.
Approaching Okiku birthday, something strange happened in the doll. One day, her family notices that the doll’s hair was growing until long, even though when it was bought, Her hair was in shoulder length. Moreover, the lights in the house often flicker, and there was a noisy and weird voice.
These phenomenom always happened near Okiku birthday and Okiku death time. They concluded that their daughter’s restless spirit was inhabiting the doll. Year after year passed and Her family gave the doll in the temple because they don't want separating the doll and the daughter grave until now, Okiku doll is in Mannenji Temple, Iwamizawa in Hokkaido, Japan.
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Based on the story above, We need to find the climax of the story as for the animation. Mr Hafiz suggest us to use chat GPT to gain more detailed information. I gave a bold for some important information. Here is the result :
Act 1: Introduction
Illustrate the Okiku doll in its pristine state, initially introduced to the audience. Use clean lines and elegant shapes in an Art Deco style to capture the beauty and innocence of the doll. Consider incorporating geometric patterns and symmetry to enhance the Art Deco aesthetic. Place the doll in a serene environment, perhaps on a vintage Japanese display stand.
Act 2: Rising Action
Depict the gradual transformation of the Okiku doll. Utilize subtle changes in color, lighting, and details to convey a sense of eeriness and foreboding. The Art Deco style can be adapted to introduce more angular and distorted elements, symbolizing the growing supernatural presence. Consider incorporating shadows and muted color tones to create a sense of suspense.
Climax: The Confrontation
This is the pivotal moment where the supernatural elements of the legend come to the forefront. Illustrate a dramatic scene where the Okiku doll is central, surrounded by an ethereal glow. Use bold, dynamic lines and shapes in an Art Deco style to convey the intensity of the moment. Consider a composition that emphasizes contrast – the doll in the foreground, with other elements (perhaps ghostly figures or symbols) emerging in the background.
For the climax shot:
1. Composition: Place the Okiku doll prominently in the center of the composition. Use strong diagonals or converging lines to add a sense of tension and movement.
2. Lighting: Illuminate the Okiku doll with a dramatic, otherworldly light source. This can be achieved through bold gradients and stark contrasts, adhering to the Art Deco emphasis on dynamic lighting.
3. Details: Highlight the subtle, eerie details that signify the supernatural transformation. This might include elongated shadows, ghostly reflections, or an otherworldly aura around the doll.
4. Background Elements: Introduce symbolic Art Deco elements in the background to enhance the narrative. Consider incorporating elements like stylized trees, geometric patterns, or mystical symbols that complement the climax of the urban legend.
5. Color Palette: Utilize a color palette that reflects the climax – perhaps deep blues and purples with accents of gold or silver for a mystical and luxurious feel.
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I started created a mindmap and moodboard to summarize Chat GPT answer :
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| Fig 4.1.1 Mindmap of Okiku Doll Week 7 08/11/2023 2. Art Deco Mr Hafiz told us to used "Art Deco Style". It's an art style that worked symmetrical, geometric, streamlined, often simple, and pleasing to the eye. This style is in contrast to avant-garde art of the period. At first, I'm quite confusing about the meaning of art deco itself so i searched google what is it.
After that, I began by looking places in art deco styles that fit in my story. Because there isn't much illustration about okiku, I focused in the background first.
3. Moodboard Done with the research, I started to do reference recap from what i found in Googles. .png) Fig 4.1.4 Moodboard Week 7 08/11/2023 |
4.2 Sketches (WEEK 7)
I began by sketching few idea that come from my mind based on the moodboard and different composition and perspective.
SKETCH #1
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| Fig 4.2.1 Sketch #1 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
SKETCH #2
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| Fig 4.2.2 Sketch #2 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
SKETCH #3
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| Fig 4.2.3 Sketch #3 Week 7 08/11/2023 |
From the three different sketch, I would prefer the third sketch. It is dead angle so our eye could only catch the okiku doll. The first and second did not display okiku as the center. For the sketch #1, The perspective is not really good as the third one because the door looks like the main. As a result, I developed the third sketches.
Using the rule of third, I make the size look smaller so it looks more balancing.
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| Fig 4.2.4 Sketch #3 Development With Rule of third Week 8 15/11/2023 |
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RESEARCH RECAP (SKETCH, RATIONAL, MOODBOARD)
Fig 4.2.6 Concept Board Week 8 15/11/2023
4.3 Digitisation (Assets In Illustration) (WEEK 8-10)
At first I began to trace the sketch from another apps to Illustrator. Here are some photos of my progress.
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| Fig 4.3.1 Tracing The Outline Progress Week 8 16/11/2023 |
I made the stroke color of every element different to made it easier to see and distinguished.
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| Fig 4.3.2 Outline of the Scene Week 8 16/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.3 First Trial Urban Legend in Procreate Week 8 16/11/2023 |
I decided to change a little bit of the color because I think it looks good if i put more purple color atmosphere. I began to fix it in illustrator. Because the background looks empty too, I had an idea to put more geometric shape and change the decor font (悲鳴).
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| Fig 4.3.4 Coloring Progress Week 8 16/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.5 Final Step Coloring Week 8 16/11/2023 |
For the font i'm gonna used, it's "Chalkduster" created by Apple. I downloaded it from google. here is the preview.
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| Fig 4.3.6 Chalkduster Font Week 8 16/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.7 After putting the decor,font and reflections Week 8 16/11/2023 |
I changed the "i" dot into okiku in short hair because it is resembles together. I also decorate the atmosphere by adding more "悲鳴" (it means scream in japan) to describe the "fear".
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| Fig 4.3.8 Second Trial Result Week 8 17/11/2023 |
I gave the result to Mr Hafiz, asking for suggestion to the next step. He said that my artwork looks like a poster. It should looked like a comic panel or camera shot. Instead of font, I could change it to the protagonist which witnessing the scene.
After short feedback, I tried to fixed again before attempting the next step.
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| Fig 4.3.9 Resources Used Week 9 22/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.10 Resources Used Week 10 28/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.11 Final Attempt With Font Week 10 28/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.3.12 Final Attempt Without Font (Choosen) Week 10 28/11/2023 |
4.4 Visual Impact (Detailed Information of the Artwork)
1. Composition
Based on Illustration that i already made, I used Establising type of shots which gave audiences the chance to take in all the splendor and grandeur of a location. I used one point perspective, so we only focus on the okiku doll. Moreover, I had fulfill the three different type of planes which was :
- foreground : The protagonist
- middle ground : Okiku doll and the display
- background : Wall with geometric pattern and light in center above
2. Minimalism
I tried to make the artwork minimalism by only using triangle and line for the background. More than that, I had made the display looks simple and elegant by repeating the same color at the top and bottom.
3. Colour
When i asked chat GPT to gain more detailed information, It suggested me to used deep blue and purple with golden and silver on it. Then i tried the suggestion and it matches well. For the brown colour, I developed it from Gold and I added red because red matches with blue and purple.
4. Typography
Because the illustration had spookie theme and create a fear sensation, I go with "Chalkduster" font. In my opinion, the chalk effect gave a sense of horror things.
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| Fig 4.4.1 Typography using Chalkduster Font Week 8 16/11/2023 |
5. Details
I adding a small details in Okiku kimono, Shadow in every object because without those, The artwork would look blank and didn't look like art deco style.
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| Fig 4.4.2 Close-up for Details Week 8 16/11/2023 |
6. Balance
Using rule of third, I kept the display in the corner of the line and also with the protagonist.
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| Fig 4.4.3 Using Rule of Third Week 10 28/11/2023 |
4.5 Animation (WEEK 10)
After the illustration is done, I began to start animate it by creating frame by frame in ilustrator. Based on my idea, I want to animate the flickering light, Scream word, Okiku hair, Aura, Smile and the protagonist. Then I think it is too much because Mr Hafiz tasked us to created a simple things. In the end, I summarized the idea and tried to animating the light, okiku smile, font and protagonist.
Below are some work in progress during make an animation.
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| Fig 4.5.1 Creating Frame in Ilustrator Week 10 29/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.5.2 All Frames Week 10 29/11/2023 |
Done with the frame, I moved to photoshop. ( Fyi : Save the frame in Ilustrator by Exporting all artboard, Then open photoshop - file - script - load file into stack - browse )
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| Fig 4.5.3 Animating in Photoshop Week 10 29/11/2023 |
RESULT :
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| Fig 4.5.4 Animation Result Week 10 29/11/2023 |
4.6 Artist Statement
I am Tracy Angeline, currently an university student that learning about design in Adobe Creative Cloud. As a creative media student, my journey is working with the kind of artistic things. One of my journey is creating some illustration about the urban legend in Japan named "Okiku Doll" using art deco style.
When making these urban legend, I used adobe Ilustrator to draw and creating frame on it. I moved to Adobe Photoshop and EzGif.com to make the GIF. I found that these apps had many useful tools which could help me to develop my artwork better. For example it can create many artboards, Had unlimited color, and we could create gradient effects on it.
Researching urban legend is the first thing i do. I choose Okiku Doll in this project. Okiku doll is storytelling about something strange happens on this doll. The most uncommon is the doll hair could grow longer. Moreover, another phenomenom happened is the light always flickering and there are so much uncomfortable voice like screaming. Due for so much abstract things, I decided to take this legend. It is really interesting to create because the story is comprehensible.
Every week, I had recorded every progress start from do research. After the research, I created moodboard and recap it all in one file. Before attempting the next step, I suggested to understanding the principles of design such as composition, balancing, etc. It really helped to avoiding so much revision on the sketches.
Coloring is the important part when i worked on this task. I choose vibrant color on this task to emit the meaning of the story. I also pay attention to every small details like shape and every movement to make it keep minimalist and art deco.
Additionaly, I kept some quotes that had a relative in my artwork :
"Design is the silent Ambassador of your brand" - Paul Rand
I believed every designer had their own art style. Even when using art deco, i still found the difference in every work like colors, angle, and character style. There is no good and bad in Designing. As long as it told the meaning, it is fine, same as creating brand.
4.7 Final Outcome
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| Fig 4.7.1 Final Outcome Illustration Without Font (JPG) Week 10 28/11/2023 |
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| Fig 4.7.2 Final Outcome Illustration With Font (JPG) Week 10 28/11/2023 |
Fig 4.7.3 Final Outcome Illustration Without Font (PDF) Week 10 28/11/2023
Fig 4.7.4 Final Outcome Illustration With Font (PDF) Week 10 28/11/2023
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Fig 4.7.5 Final Outcome of Animation (GIF) Week 10 29/11/2023 |
Fig 4.7.6 Final Outcome of Animation (MP4 Version) Week 10 29/11/2023
5. FEEDBACK
Week 8
Mr Hafiz said that my artwork quality is very good but it should not look like a poster. Instead of font, I could change it into the protagonist that witnessing the scene.
Week 9
After i put the protagonist, he said that it matches well. For the animation, he told me to keep it minimalist by reducing the number of animations.
6. REFLECTIONS
Experience
At first, I thought this task gonna be hard but it is quite challenging. There were so many trial and failure happened when making this task. At the end, I still could managed all the problem. I should be thankful for all the problem happening because from mistake, we can learn something. I learned that it is okay if we make a mistake or don't know/ don't had a good idea when do this task. Everyone is learning on their way to be good.
Observation
Art deco is new for me, so to understand it, I do an observation to know what style is it and what type color mostly used in art deco. More than that, we had to explore when do research and creating limited animation. The keyword i used when do observation is Limited Animation, Urban Legend, Narrative Structure.
Findings
This task has developed my Ilustrator skill so much. I got to know if it is better to separate every layer on every element and give it a title to make it more organized. Beside that, the more I learned and got feedback from lectures, My artwork had been better than before.
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| Fig 6.1 Comparison Before and After Revision Week 10 29/11/2023 |
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