LAS60304-Illustration and Visual Narrative Exercise

Dong xinbei 0359733

 ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE. EXERCISES

week1

In the first week of class, Mr. Hafiz introduced the features of Adobe Illustrator. 

Adobe Illustrator is a software used in print publishing, poster and book typesetting, professional illustration, multimedia image processing, and Internet page production. It also provides high precision and control for line artwork, suitable for producing any small design to large complex projects.

We often use the pen tool in graphic design, we need to practice the use of the pen tool many times before the formal creation of the work. We're going to practice this Berzier game to learn how to use the Pen Tool and its various features so that we can transfer this knowledge to Adobe Illustrator. In addition, we fully learn the workspace and toolbar, we can quickly make full use of all the features. Grouping and selection is also a very useful feature because it allows us to adjust the entire layout in one move.

After a quick tutorial on specific software, we get instructions for the first assignment. We needed to complete Vormator, which gave us eight different shapes to draw and link using Adobe Illustrator's Pen Tool.

Figure 1.1   Vormator shapes.

Figure 1.2 Vormator shapes.

Week 2

The next week, Mr. Hafiz emphasized the proportions of the importance of text design, showing us the approximate body proportions of the average adult. Although we need to learn and understand the true proportions of the characters to avoid poor body composition, each complete creative design will have unique proportions, and each character will have different characteristics, from each being a perfect piece of creative work, not just limited to one scale. It's as if many of the character designs have different sizes and proportions and need to be drawn to fit their body shape for the best effect, in addition to paying attention to the depiction above the skeleton and the frame and outline.

In the course, the tutor taught us how to use the pen tool to draw the eight graphs sent in the first week, and we trained how to draw the arc well with the pen tool.

The final task was to use these shapes to create a new design, and each outline should be clear, allow for multiple uses, and add color.

                             

Week 3

Figure 3.1 Different examples and methods

Figure 3.2 Different examples and methods

We can create a group with many different shapes and color them all, and they can all be colored at the same time. However, you can select a color from the table and fill it. Color schemes can be created by referencing other designs that use the adobe Web site, and the palette can be exported to a library and easily used. Improve the speed of work development, while you can quickly find the color you want.

Another way is to use the gradient tool. Gradients are the mixing of two or more colors. This tool enhances the overall visual effect by creating a color blend that makes the entire image look more appealing, which has a big impact on the design.

Additionally, shadows can be created using the Shape Generator tool by superimposing the shape onto a part of the artwork and subtracting it. It can make a piece look more three-dimensional from a certain Angle, and adding shading can significantly enhance the artwork as it provides depth and weight. The light source must first be determined when creating shadows to avoid confusing and unrealistic shadows throughout the artwork. A shadow is usually a darker color of the object being projected and is a good indication of how three-dimensional the object looks. Add a shadow while keeping it in the same frame.

                                             Figure 3.3  Exercises and work

                                              Figure 3.4 Exercises and work

                                

                                                          Week 4

This week we learned about the various tools for creating vector images in Adobe Illustrator, and this time we discussed how to use Apple and some common problems in the creation process.

The pencil tool, Width tool,  Smooth tool and  Shaper tool, these are the four tools we use frequently.

In contrast to the Pen Tool, the pencil Tool (shortcut = N) is used to design paths for free shapes. It can be used to outline and trace existing works of art, and it can be changed in any size and direction without any limitations. Accuracy and smoothness can also be adjusted to your liking for smooth or precise lines. The great benefit of the pencil tool is that the path created can be easily edited by tracing previous paths, and it can also change your preferred style along with the curve you want. The second  tool are the Width Tool (shortcut = Shift+W) ，it is used to adjust the stroke width. If you use an ink pen, you can create a tapered stroke. The third smoothing tool are often used in conjunction with pencil tools. It can be used when creating strokes with the pencil Tool that have rough edges that you need. It can be used when you don't know what to do with the unwanted edges. It can be used to smooth the edges and create smooth strokes, saving unnecessary time. And it's much easier to design it. The fourth forming tool，The Shaper tool can be used to drag a line into a vector shape.

Week 5

Adobe Illustrator contains many features, and today we learned about the package 3D features, which change from a flat state to a 3D shape. There are many types of 3D effect, and we need to use them separately，Plane，Extrude，Revolve， and Inflate.Compared with the previous classes, this class is to make the design works look very three-dimensional in the plane based on the methods we have learned before.

Figure 5.1 Rainbow exercise

Week 1-Week6 sketches and work

For Exercise 1, we need to make use of the eight shapes provided by the tutor and draw them all with the pen tool. The premise is that we can't exceed the eight shapes and then combine them into the patterns we want to design. There is no limit to the number of each one.

                                           Figure 5.2 shape sketch and work

I first represented the overall outline and put it together in my brain. The black outline is a preliminary sketch. 

When making the outline, I used the Zerk as the head of the bird and used the shape editing tool to enlarge and widen it. I used the Tentacle multiple times to copy and paste the head feather part and the foot part, rotating at a central point, or parallel, and they are in the same direction. For the eyes and mouth I used the Drop and The Badge respectively, reducing and flattening them to a proper size. the feathers on The body are also formed by the Badge, but they are used more frequently. The two wings are formed by The Bar, The Wurst and The Badge, and they are all single, final trunk, which is obtained by squishing The Bar.

Finally, I used the Fill tool to match the color properly. I also changed the edge line of the wings to a color style to separate it from the fill color.

When superimposing figures, we need to pay attention to the order of the two figures. First, we need to consider which one is in front or last, so as to avoid not achieving the desired effect in the end.

Exercise 2

The second exercise of the first assignment for the illustration and Visual narrative module asked us to create a design around the definitions of two words selected by the random word generator. This exercise emphasizes designing an illustration with the features and tools of Adobe Illustrator. The second exercise for the first assignment, the typography, Illustration and Visual Narrative module, asked us to create a design around the definition of two words selected by the random word generator.

According to the random word generator, the words I got were orange and zebra.

Figure 5.3 screenshot

                                                                        Figure 5.4 Final Work

Figure 5.5 screenshot 

                                                                Figure 5.6 Zebra final work

Reflection：

Through the exercises in this semester, I have gained proficiency in all the necessary techniques and methods. The instructor taught us how to use Adobe Illustrator, a learning software, and through hands-on practice, I have become familiar with its various tools and features. Initially, I had some difficulty understanding concepts such as creating vector shapes, applying colors and gradients, handling typography, and utilizing drawing and editing tools. However, with the guidance of the instructor, I have now mastered most of these concepts. I will continue to study and explore Adobe Illustrator further.