Illustration and Visual Narrative - Task 1

 

22nd April 2024 (Week 2)  - 20th May 2024 (Week 3)

Insha Thahirah Rajab - 0360671

Illustration and Visual Narrative - Section 01

Bachelor's Degree  in Creative Media (Honors) - Taylors University

Task 1

CONTENTS

Lecture

Instructions

Task 1

Feedback

Reflection

LECTURE

Week 2 lectures explains the rules and guidelines of the vormator challenge, as well as how to use the basic pen tool to trace the shapes from the template. Later on we learn the other more advanced tools such as curvature tool, and shape builder tool + pathfinder.

Figure 1.0 Pen tool

Figure 1.1 shape tool + pathfinder

Figure 1.2 \Curvature tool 

               

INSTRUCTIONS

TASK

Task 1 -  Vormator Challenge

Using the limited set of shapes provided, create a unique character within the limitations provided in the Rulebook. You are allowed to rotate, flip, and duplicate the elements.

Objective: Create a character using Vormator shapes.

            

Figure 1.3 List of shapes to use to create Vormator Character

Figure 1.4 Example of Vormator challenge character

Tools to Use: Pen tool, Curvature tool, Shape tool, Shapebuilder tool, Reflect, Rotate, Resize, Knife tool, Pathfinder, Color tools, Selection and Direct Selection tools. 

:practice

I started off by following the online lecture and tracing each shape accordingly:

 Figure 1.5 Screenshot of my work and Illustrator Interface

Figure 1.6 My traced shapes

After understanding each tool, I focused on trying to build shapes with colour to create objects with form. I looked at the sample work and tried to implement that concept onto a simpler idea. With shapes like these, i preferred to work directly on Illustrator rather than sketching drafts.

I tried creating a strawberry as practice.

Figure 1.7 Practiced strawberry using Vormator shapes

I liked the way the strawberry turned out, and wanted to develop on this style further. I decided to make a cake. After consulting my tutor, I realised it must be a living character. I made changes to my work, and added colour and shading using the Pathfinder and Shape Builder tools to break apart shapes and apply a flat darker tone to represent shadows.

Figure 1.8 Final Formator Challenge Design

FEEDBACK

The work can be improved by having a more complex design. The character in itself is good but quite boring. It seems a bit flat and two-dimensional with nothing visually unique. This can be fixed in Task 2, possibly by playing with how the character is portrayed, rather than the design on its own.

REFLECTION

Task 1 taught me how to use Adobe Illustrator and its complex interface, understand various tools, shapes, and colours. I found practicing straightaway on Illustrator better than creating digital sketches. I enjoyed the challenge of using limited shapes to create characters and having to create an original character with its own colour palette. We only had a few physical classes, due to public holidays/ other so most of this task was self taught through the guidance of online lectures and other resources.