Illustration & Visual Narrative - Task 1
27/08/2021 - 24/09/2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)
Ataka Lukman Hamzah / 0350012 / BDCM Illustration and Visual Narrative
Task 1 / Exercise 1 & 2
LECTURES
INSTRUCTIONS
EXERCISE 1
For exercise 1, we are challenged to create a character design out of the
vormator shapes.
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| Vormator Shapes |
The rules are:
- You're allowed to rotate, flip and duplicate the shape
- You are not obliged to use all the shapes
- Scaling is allowed, but on proportionally, so no skewing or free transform, cannot alter the original shapes!
- You can add, substract, intersect and group elements as you see fit
- The use of colour is unrestricted, you can create your own colour schemes
- You are allowed to use gradients
- Background is not necessary
So the first thing that I did was to sketch different character designs
using the shape given.
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| Fig 1.0: Character Sketch |
From there, I decided to go with the squid like design. I feel like it is more
complex compared to the other, to give details to it would need combination of
more than one shape. So next, I did a more detailed sketch for the squid using
the other shapes.
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| Fig 1.1: Squid Detailed Sketch |
The name of the character is 'Cumis' it is derived from the word 'cumi'
meaning squid and 'kumis' meaning mustache. I want to make him a character
that is huge and some kind of like a boss in a game. So I added those horns to
make it scary and menacing. After the sketch, we are to digitalize it in
illustrator.
After a feedback and review session from class, I am told that I could work
with this character design. However, for shadings or shadows for the
characters we still need to use the vormator shapes. Whereas in this process I
did not use the vormator shapes for shadows or shadings, I used the pen tool.
So I tried it again to create a shading using the vormator shapes.
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| Fig 1.2: Cumis goes Digital |
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| Fig 1.3: Cumis Evolve (Final) |
So I use gradients and other vormator shapes to create the shadows or shadings. I think that it look better this way, much darker color, more scary. Then I also create a background for it, giving it the scary atmosphere.
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Fig 1.4: Cumis + Background FINAL VERMATOR OUTCOME: |
EXERCISE 2
In exercise 2 we are expected to create a card game design with the
vormator character that we have created. So first, is to look for card
game references and decide on the theme of the card game.
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| Fig 1.5: Reference 1 |
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| Fig 1.6: Reference 2 |
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| Fig 1.7: Reference 3 |
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| Fig 1.8: Brainstorming Elements |
After sketching and tracing different elements that can be used in my card
design, I wanted to create the base for the card. I want the card to have
old paper like background, reference from Fig 1.7. So that is the first
thing that I created. Because using the basic gradient tool does not give
the look of old paper. I decided to watch youtube tutorial to create the
effect. So, in order to create the effect is to use the gradient mesh tool
located in object. For the settings I used 4 by 4 grid. Then I use the
direction selection tool to select each anchor to change the color. Which
results into:
After making the background, I work on the border for my character. I
wanted to make a border like Fig 1.6. So I decided to use the pirate
steering wheel shown in the sketch. However, to add more effect and not to
make it plain, I used the knife tool to create something like a slash from
a sword.
After that, I wanted to add a card power level like the second reference
(Fig 1.6). So I used the skull from my sketches, and add the power level
in the top left corner of the card.
Then I wanted to show the island so I used the background of my character
and mask it to the shape of the skull. However, there are two ideas of
skull.
It seems that the second idea is the best. Then I seen that the text is
not really eligible so I decide to use the scroll in the front page for
the name to the card game name.
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| Fig 1.9: Gradient Mesh |
Then to blend the colors, still using the direction selection tool, and
adjust it to my liking, where I think it has the effect of an old paper.
Then using the shape builder tool to create a irregular shape around to
mimic a paper.
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| Fig 2.0: Old Paper Making |
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| Fig 2.1: Border |
After creating the border, it is time to manage the position of CUMIS.
From the reference it is seen that the character is inside the border. For
CUMIS, from his background. The small size does not fit his
characteristics. So I decided to enlarge the size to go over the border.
Instead of blocking all the the border, I decide some parts of the
character to go outside the border and some doesn't.
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| Fig 2.2: Character Placement (1) |
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| Fig 2.3: Character Placement (2) |
Then moving on, for the description of the character, I am thinking of
using something like a health bar instead of full written description. I
wanted to create to one for attack and the other one is defense. To make
it it's very simple, create a rectangle then using a circle to mask the
end of the rectangle to create a rounded edge.
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| Fig 2.4: Ability Bar |
Also, to indicate both attack and defense I used the graphic of swords and
shields as an icon to indicate it. Then I added a bit of description like
damage per second, health and abilities. For the written description, I
searched for pirate fonts, and ended up using the font 'BlackBeard' to fit
the theme.
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| Fig 2.5: Front Card Progress + Elements |
Then I just remembered where to put the name of the character. The idea
that I have is to use a scroll as the base for the name. So I created a
scroll.
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| Fig 2.6: Name Banner |
Then used the same font, 'BlackBeard'. Then I decided to put it below the
character design.
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| Fig 2.7: Name Banner + Name |
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| Fig 2.8: Front Card with Name Banner |
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| Fig 2.9: Addition of Power Level |
So the first portion of the card is done. Moving on to the back of the
card, same with the front, I used the paper like graphic as the base. Then
searched for pirate themed names for the card game. 'TREASURE ISLAND', the
name of the card game. I feel that treasures are something that is very
close to pirate theme. Also, when I made the background for my character,
I am thinking of an island. Which then become treasure island. To fill up
the back page, still using the elements that I have made in my
brainstorming. The first thing that I add is the ship and reflected it and
make a copy of it. Also, to go with the word treasure, I decided to make a
vector of a treasure chest.
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| Fig 3.0: Back Card Attempt 1 |
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| Fig 3.1: Skull Masking Ideas |
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| Fig 3.2: Attempt 2 (1) |
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| Fig 3.3: Attempt 2 (2) |
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| Fig 3.4: Addition of Scroll/Banner |
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Fig 3.5: Final Outcome FINAL CARD OUTCOME SUBMISSION: |
FEEDBACK
Background should be lighter as it goes further.
REFLECTION
Experience
From this task, it is a challenge to create a character design from shapes that are given. Also, we are not to alter the shapes or free transform it. However, it really encourages the students to think creatively on what they can make from these shapes alone. Also, from this task I got to explore more on Illustrator, because I need to watch youtube tutorials on certain parts to achieve my goal, which makes this a great learning experience.
Findings
From the shapes that are given there are a lot of character designs can be created from it, from all the character designs created by my classmates they have their own unique designs.
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