ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE - TASK 1 & 2

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26/9/2024 – 31/10/2024 (Week 1 – Week 6)

Gabriella Grace Christyanti / 0373407
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media, Taylor's University
Illustration and Visual Narrative 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

TASK 1

1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Process Work
    3.1 Research and Ideation
    3.2 Digitalization
    3.3 Backstory
4. Feedback
5. Reflection

TASK 2

1. Research
2. Development
3. Process
    3.1 Sketch
    3.2 Colors
    3.3 Digitalization and Composition
4. Final artwork
    4.1 Character
    4.2 Pokemon Card

TASK 1

1. LECTURES

Week 1 (26/9/2024)

(No classes)

Week 2 (03/10/2024)

Before we began using Adobe Illustrator, we played a small exercise game called the Bezier Game. This game helps us better understand how to use the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator. 


When we started working in Adobe Illustrator, Mr. Hafiz provided us with a screenshot of shapes for our first task, the Vormator Challenge. The purpose of this screenshot was to test our tracing skills so we could recreate the shapes from it. Mr. Hafiz gave us a step by step tutorial on how to trace the shape to make it easier for us to understand. These shapes were then used when we started creating our characters.


Week 3 (10/10/2024)

In this class, we learned about the path finder and shape builder functions in Adobe Illustrator. We use the path finder to create the old adidas circular logo and we separated the lines using intersected lines using shape builder. After the simple logo tracing exercise, we use the knowledge we gained to create the shadows for our extra marks assignment. The purpose of the shadows is to enhance the character illustrations. 

Week 3 (10/10/2024)

Week 3 (10/10/2024)

Week 3 (10/10/2024)

2. INSTRUCTIONS


3. PROCESS WORK

In our first project, we were given a task to make a character only from the 8 shapes given in the vormator challenge. This exercise was aimed to push our creativity because of the limited shapes we got. 

3.1 RESEARCH AND IDEATION

I began by browsing Pinterest for inspiration and gathering references that caught my eye. Most of the ideas I found revolved around winged creatures.


After settling on the vibe I wanted for the character, I gained a clearer vision of their final appearance. I started by developing their backstory, then moved on to sketching in Procreate before refining the design in Adobe Illustrator. The result was a humanoid, moth-like creature.



3.2 DIGITALIZATION

Using the sketch as a guide, I began crafting the silhouette with Vormator shapes. While I aimed to match the original sketch as closely as possible, I ultimately made the wings larger and gave the wings a more moth-like appearance.


Using the ColorMagic, Scheme color, and color-hex website, I was able to find an overall color palette I like. 


After adding the base colors, this is how my character turned out. I included a robe and shoulder blades to give him a regal aura, with the purple tones symbolizing both rarity and royalty. But the wings felt empty so I researched some more about moth wing patterns.

For his wings, I was inspired by a photo of a moth where the dots on its wings resembled crescent moons. This sparked the idea to give the wings a galaxy theme. I experimented with the color palette, adjusting it until I found the perfect combination. I decided to include only two crescent moons, as four felt too cluttered, and I shaped them to resemble large eyes, aligning with the backstory I’ve crafted for him.

For additional marks on the project, I applied lighting and shadows using the Pathfinder tool we learned in week three. I also added more gradients and fine details to bring him to life. This is the final piece I created, and I’m quite satisfied with how it turned out.

3.3 BACKSTORY

His name is Dionysus, but I shortened it to Dio for simplicity. Dionysus is the Greek god of vegetation and fruitfulness, famously associated with wine and ecstasy. I chose this name because Dio is a moth, and moths are known to be even more efficient pollinators than bees.

As the leader of a tribe of butterflies, bees, and other flying insects, I designed him with a regal appearance. His attire features a distinctive red robe, reminiscent of those worn by kings, and shoulder armor to symbolize rank and authority. In many cultures, particularly in medieval or military contexts, shoulder armor signifies a person's status. The purple tones in his design further emphasize rarity and royalty.

His galaxy-themed wings reflect his nocturnal nature, and the crescent moon markings, shaped like large eyes, are designed to intimidate predators, in line with his role as a protector of the night. 

TASK 2

1. RESEARCH

For background research, I started searching for pictures in pinterest to get the overal vibe I wanted to get me an idea on what kind of scenery my character will be placed in. I wanted. 

For background research, I started looking on Pinterest for pictures to capture the overall vibe I wanted for my character’s setting. I looked for images that gave an eerie, nighttime feel to help me imagine what the scene might look like. 

I thought it would be interesting to have my character standing on a pile of bodies of his victims. This pose would add a sense of dominance and intensity to the scene to highlight his power. To get a better idea of how this might look, I searched for reference images to help me visualize the setup and the positioning. 

I also used a page from the Framed Ink PDF as a reference.


I really liked how the lighting created a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere, so I decided to apply a similar approach to my scene. My goal is to use limited lighting to create a chilling effect around a pile of bodies. By only highlighting a few silhouettes in the pile, I can leave the true number of bodies unknown to the viewer, adding a layer of suspense and danger. This way, the lighting emphasizes mystery and gives the scene a more threatening feel.

2. DEVELOPMENT

  • Character design
Before vs After
Now that we’re allowed to use shapes beyond the original 8 Vormator shapes, I was able to add more gradient details and enhance the wings using the Gaussian blur tool. I also made a few other changes. First, I spread the wings wider to make the character look larger and gave the eyes a sharper look to make them scarier. I decided to remove the fur coat around the robe because it felt a bit too much, and I lengthened the robe to give it a more kingly appearance, as the previous version felt too short. For the proportions, I made the ears bigger, the head smaller, and scaled the body to be smaller than the wings.
  • Reference board

3. PROCESS

3.1 SKETCH

I created the sketch in Procreate, keeping it simple to capture the overall feel I wanted for the final piece. I didn’t add too many details, focusing instead on the general look and mood. I used mostly grey tones in the sketch since I haven’t decided on the color scheme yet.

3.2 COLORS

I searched for colors on color.adobe.com and picked out a palette that I liked. I didn’t stick to those colors exactly, I made some adjustments to better match the overall vibe I wanted to achieve.

3.3 DIGITALIZATION AND COMPOSITION

  • BACKGROUND

I added a large moon as the background, placing a yellow circle in the center with an orange circle behind it, softened with Gaussian blur to create a glowing effect. I also made the sky a gradient from dark red to dark blue to give it a more intense look.
  • MIDGROUND

For the midground, I created a pile of bodies, but I kept the lighting minimal, highlighting only a few heads. This limited lighting adds mystery to the scene by keeping most of the pile in shadow. Also, coloring every body would make the scene feel too crowded and distract from the main character. By keeping most of the bodies in shadow, the focus stays on the character, enhancing the impact of the scene.
  • FOREGROUND

Finally, I positioned my character on top of everything to make them the focal point of the scene. This placement draws attention to them as the centerpiece and emphasizes their dominance over the setting.

4. FINAL WORK

4.1 CHARACTER


4.2 POKEMON CARD

To create my Pokémon card, I used a poison-type card as a base to make it look as authentic as possible. I referenced other cards for details like the "STAGE 1" label and the "evolves from" bar, adjusting the text for "Moth" and adding slight blur to blend it seamlessly. For the HP, I researched similar Pokémon with around 110 HP, which felt right for my character. I chose the Pokémon type "Poison Moth" based on Venomoth, aligning with my character’s traits.

For moves, I researched and selected Poison Jab and Poison Gas, using accurate descriptions from the Pokémon Wiki but tweaking wording to better match my character. I adjusted move power, lowering it from the max of 32 and 64 to 20 and 44, keeping my character balanced. For weakness, retreat cost, and the character description, I referenced Venomoth's card but made minor changes to fit my character.

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