VISUAL NARRATIVE & ILLUSTRATION- EXERCISES

LECTURES 
Ng Shu Zhi (0327158)

Lecture 1: Introduction to Illustrator

We were introduced to our lecturer of this course and a brief introduction to Adobe Illustrator and the pen function in Adobe Illustrator. We were to learn how to trace shapes using the Vormator challenge shapes.

Outcomes of the lecture:

- We learned how to use the pen tool in Illustrator 

Lecture 2:

In this class we were to make our own monsters from the shapes we traced last week, then we were to make silhouettes in grayscale of our monsters. After that we were taught how to use the path finder tool to create shading and lighting for our monsters.

Outcomes of the lecture:

- The usage of path finders in Illustrator

- How to convert a coloured piece into grayscale

- How to create a colour scheme and save that scheme into a file to transfer it

Lecture 3:
We had learned how to add colours and textures to our monsters.

Outcomes of the lecture: 
- How to add textures to a monster

Lecture 4: We went to Fab space to print out our monsters onto either Wood, Acrylic or Embroidery. 

Lecture 6: We learned about Chiarosuro where contrast can play an important part to lighting. Where it can change the environment and feeling to a scene.

Outcome of the lecture:
- Chiarosuro on a pear

WORK

Week 1

We were to learn to use the pen tool on Adobe Illustrator to trace out these shapes to use them to design a monster of our own.

Week 2

Initial Silhouette

Then we could change the proportions accordingly to enhance our characters by having a dominant shape which the rest of the body branches out from.

The addition of colour to our monsters and learning how to use the pathfinder tool on Adobe Illustrator to shade our monsters. 

The different variety of colours which I tried on my monster.

Week 3

Adding texture, I used a icy texture to fit the character I was going for.

Addition of some features to the monster.

Week 4

references used to create the environment of a barren frozen wasteland 

First attempt at layout and environmental design

Final attempt used for the final trading card.

Final trading card and printed acrylic piece.

Week 6

The pears made during the class

Exercise 2: A chiarosuro of my 

REFLECTION
Experience:
Week 1: It was easy for me to understand the usage of the pen tool because I had a history using the pen tool in Illustrator before.

Week 2: It was interesting to learn how to use the other functions in Illustrator like the path finder tools to divide and unite. Also very interesting to find out how to make and be able to share our own colour schemes.

Week 3: It was interesting finding out how to give textures to our monsters which I was anticipating for quite some time already.

Week 4: The experience at Fab Space was very interesting, to be able to learn about printing in different mediums and the possibilities we can do for our creations.

Week 6: It was interesting learning how to use the merge pathfinder tool to be able to make a easy shadow for the pear.

Observations:
Week 1: There is much more to the pen tool than I thought

Week 2: The path finder tool is very interesting to use as it can merge different shapes together which makes life much easier for people using this program.

Week 3: It was interesting to see the different pieces that everyone was creating because now we were to play around with composition and balance.

Week 4: There is a lot to do when it comes to printing but it is interesting to see the many possibilities like making 3D puzzles and such.

Week 6: It wasn't very challenging to make the pear as it was already something we've learned before.

 Findings:
Week 1: I learned that there is much more to a pen tool than I thought. 

Week 2: It was interesting to learn about character design and the main body which the limbs would hang off. It was also interesting to learn about the different shapes which made a character the personality they are like circle being the side-kick, rectangular being the hero and triangle being the villain.

Week 3: It was interesting to learn adding the textures and understand more about changing the colour scheme.

Week 4: Fab Space is a very interesting place to print on different mediums like Acrylic, Wood, Embroidery or UV printing. It would be great to be able to print there again and see what I can print in the future.

Week 6: I am mostly excited to learn about Chiarosuro to create a certain feeling to the piece I'm making.