Design Principles - Task 3 / Design

March 06, 2024

Design Principles - Task 3 / Design

7.3.2024 - 24.3.2024 (Week 5 - Week 7)
Chong Hui Yi / 0363195
Design Principles / BDCM
Task 3 / Design

INSTRUCTIONS

Task 3: Design

Requirement

Create a design piece inspired by or in reaction to the one analyzed in Task 2, applying design principles. Use any suitable medium/materials except direct photographs.

Some visual references (cite the sources) that inspire your own ideas
3-5 sketches (manual/digital) of your own ideas
Final design in A4 size, JPEG
A rationale, in about 150-200 words, explaining/defending the decisions made in your design, the meaning/purpose of the design and the design principles that are found in the design.

Sketch

Fig. 1.0 Idea & Sketch - Google Slide

Fig. 1.1 Sketches

My theme is Goal 13: Climate Action. I came up with three ideas (the fourth one doesn't count). I ultimately chose the first idea because it allows me to express more thoughts within it. The medium is digital illustration, and I plan to use the IbisPaint app on my iPad for creation.

Idea 1:

In the top half of the sketch, I'll use contrasting dreamy blue hues against the orange flames. The design depicts deceased polar bears turning into spirits and trying to escape from the fire. A large polar bear, saddened by the loss of its kin, aims to shield and save the spirits of young polar bears. Below the flames, miniature humans live peacefully, oblivious to the events above.

Digitalization

I redrew my lineart to make it more detailed. I found drawing the wood under the fire quite tricky because of the need to consider the placement of each piece of wood. Besides, I learned how to draw flames by first using three layers of colors to create the rough shape of the flames and then using an eraser to outline them.

Fig. 2.0 Fire drawing tutorial

Fig. 2.1 Base colours

Next, I'm going to draw a representation of a group of miniature figures engaged in various activities. Drawing people is a daunting task for me, as it involves considering their body structure, clothing, hairstyles, facial expressions, and more. Moreover, I need to draw a significant number of people to represent human activities.

At this point, I found on Pinterest images like Fig. 2.2, which are simple stick figures. Not only can they demonstrate actions, but they also save time as they don't require detailed refinement. Drawing stick figures is a fun process! They engage in different activities like taking photos, chatting, walking dogs, skateboarding, etc., just like in a park.

Fig. 2.2 Reference

Fig. 2.3 A group of miniature figures beneath burning firewood

I've been struggling with deciding on colors, so I kept redoing it. Eventually, I shifted from a flat drawing to a more 3D polar bear. In Fig. 2.4, I noticed the upper part of the first image had a greenish tint. However, aiming for an ice and fire ambiance, I switched to the blue colour scheme from the second image.

Fig. 2.4 Adjusting the colours

Later, I switched to a darker background to accentuate the flames and polar bears, creating a scene where spirits float in the darkness, which seemed more fitting.

Fig. 2.5 Switching to a dark background

Actually, I'm not great at drawing three dimensional illustrations, so this is my first try. In Fig. 2.6, you'll see that when I checked the black & white contrast, the polar bear looked a bit flat without shadows, so I added some depth. However, adjusting the colors afterward made the illustration look chaotic, so I had to redo it... This part took me a lot of time.

Fig. 2.6 Adjusting the B&W contrast

I found that if the large polar bear's hand was holding the polar bear spirit towards the fire, it looked confusing, as if the polar bear intended to throw it into the flames. So, I changed its direction and added lines coming out from the flames to show their movement.

Additionally, depicting the transparent bodies of the spirits and their light was also interesting. I tried to make their colors richer. For the background, I switched to a starry sky, adding diagonal textures and stars to enhance the visual texture of the scene.

Fig. 2.7 Design process

In Fig. 2.8, I adjusted some details and moved the polar bear spirit on the left side of the second panel more towards the center.

Fig. 2.8 Design process 2

I added some highlights in the shape of bears to the flames, representing many of their spirits struggling to break free from the fire. I find them quite cute, haha.

Fig. 2.9 Polar bear spirits are trying to escape from the fire

Final Outcome

Fig. 3.0 "Chong Hui Yi_"Flames of Consequence"_Task 3

Rationale

In this design, I aim to convey the indirect death of polar bears due to human activities causing global warming. Despite humans being minuscule, they still produce massive flames, bringing harm.

The artwork employs contrasting colours, with blue and orange highlighting the conflict and contrast between ice and fire, as well as portraying the contrast between the death of polar bears and the survival of humans. Size contrast is utilised to increase visual impact, such as between the large polar bear and polar bear spirits, flames and polar bear spirits, and flames and miniature humans, creating visual proportion and hierarchy. The design achieves approximate symmetry balance along the vertical axis.

Within the picture, the focal point is emphasised through colour and size, with the flames initially drawing attention, then guiding the viewer's gaze from the flames to the polar bear spirits, and up to the large polar bear embracing the spirits. (movement) The colour gradient from top to bottom enhances the cohesion of the illustration, and the repeated use of the polar bear spirit imagery reinforces the unity and coherence of the artwork.

Furthermore, each element in the illustration carries symbolic significance, such as the flames representing climate change and the polar bears symbolizing creatures affected by climate change. (symbol)

Fig. 3.1 Colour contrast

Fig. 3.2 Size contrast

Fig. 3.2 Balance

Fig. 3.3 Movement

FEEDBACK

Week 5:

The first draft is quite interesting, and having three panels is better than just one because each panel can tell a separate story even when viewed individually, without the need for accompanying text. The draft with the Earth and the sun is not acceptable. Dr. Charles feels that the draft with the fish has a strong and powerful composition. "Fry a Polar Bear" is also acceptable, but it would be preferable to choose between the first one and the one with the fish. I have chosen my favorite, the first draft.

Search This Blog

Chong Hui Yi (0363195)