Project 1: Creating Letterforms (2D)
In this project I am tasked with designing a brand new typeface using physical objects.
Using objects I had found at home I made three different styles of typeface and individually analysed the effectiveness of each one. My least favourite of the three was the watercolour blocks as it feels too easy and childish. My favourite typeface of the three was the bananas as I felt like it was the most effective when it came to creativity and how it can link to other things. Although I could’ve taken it further by possibly incorporating the banana skins into the font, I feel that the bananas were most effective.
I also took some photos of other objects to explore other possibilities. Although these were creative in their own way, one quality they don’t possess is consistency, therefore I decided to use the bananas as my chosen typeface. Despite this I still kept these photos to show exploration.
After creating the typeface the next step was to upload it onto Photoshop and create a poster presenting the typeface in the most creative way as possible. My first thought turned to the origin of bananas: banana trees. I also thought about what could clearly be linked to a banana, so at first I thought of minions from the Despicable Me franchise. Although they are effective in their own way, the child-like approach was not something I wanted to demonstrate so I decided to go for a more obvious and, personally more effective, approach through the use of a monkey. It is commonly known for people to see a banana and think of a monkey being the strongest link.
The result of the poster was very promising. The balance of the black and white turned out really well, however, the only problem I had was getting the title of the font to stand out. Using procreate to edit the letters slightly I tried as best as I could to make it look more readable. Despite this the title still looked busy and so I couldn’t change the layout enough to make the title stand out more. But the other elements of the poster were very nice.
I decided to experiment with the posters and use a printer to change the form of the elements. I would slightly move the paper as the printer scanned the image which would create the wave effect for the result. I would later increase the movement of the paper to intensify the waves on the image. I also experimented with torn up pieces of the poster and laying them on top of another copy of the poster to display the effect of roughness. These could possibly affect the feeling of the poster, however, these tests were just to experiment and I kept the original as the final result.
The next part of the project was to take our posters and create zine style publications. These were very interesting to make as it showed me that you can fold the paper into many different ways while making it interesting. Using what I had learned I applied a zine style to my poster. After using a zine style I decided to apply and make another paper fold for a copy of my poster.
One of the most common paper folds people usually know how to make is a paper aeroplane. So I decided to apply this fold to my poster, giving off the impression of sending a unique message to other people. Of course the aeroplane couldn’t fly but my main objective was to get the idea into place. The ability to send a message via paper aeroplane is quite interesting and unique, which is why I incorporated this to my work.
Project 2: Creating Album Cover (3D)
In this project I am tasked with designing a 3D album cover from a list of given names and a genre. The cover is to be contained in a 12” cubed space.
I began by drawing up some rough drafts of ideas related to my band name. I used a font commonly used in West Coast Rap and tested the band name in this specific font and a personal draft of a nickname in another font, which I will later use to make a laser cut. I also tested out a rough logo design which I could possibly use in my final design.
My given genre was West Coast Rap. I created a moodboard, researching different things associated with the genre, such as artists, album covers and even typography. I also researched the different fundamentals of my given band and album name, such as the brown trout. Using what I have gathered I will attempt to apply as much as possible to my album cover.
After importing my nickname font design into Illustrator and finalised all the details I took the design to be made into a laser cut. The result was promising and gave me the idea of what I could use to make my box. However this was a experiment, to check the material and measurements needed to allow parts of my box to be put together; this was not relevant to the final design but was relevant for tests.
Album Cover examples:
I first decided to apply the usage of a weed symbol in my album cover which I gathered from my research. I carved the symbol out of green card and attempted to use it as a camera filter. Although the idea seemed very plausible the results were not what I thought they would be. It was very hard to see anything behind the filter and so the idea was scrapped.
Using my other items, a cap, sunglasses, a brown jelly fish, my carved out weed symbol and some extra bits and pieces, I arranged them in a fashion to represent both the genre and the band name. The main focus was to get the fish to be the most iconic part of the cover. I intentionally placed a makeshift cigarette next to its mouth to give the impression even the fish likes to smoke. In addition I included the weed symbol on top of it to give the impression of seasoning the fish like you could with cooking. Once I felt happy with the arrangements and the light source was satisfactory I took a photo of the cover and began digitally editing it to reinforce the feel of the genre. I played with the contrast and temperature of the photo, which gave me two outcomes: a bright green atmosphere, which helped invoke the sense of weed, and a blacklight atmosphere, to represent a suspicious sense. After I felt comfortable with the outcomes I went further to include smoke to strengthen the presence of weed, the title of the band and the explicit rating.
Overall I’m pleased with the outcomes. I could’ve possibly improved by making the fish stand out slightly more, perhaps putting it on top of my weed symbol. Nevertheless I was happy with the outcomes.
Project 3: Creating Animations (4D)
In this project I am tasked with making 10 animated GIFs based on popular movie tropes.
Before beginning designing any ideas for the project I first needed to grasp a basic understanding of animation. I tried making a simplistic animation of moving shapes, making sure they were smooth and eye-catching. I could control how fast my objects could go, as demonstrated with the bird shape. i decided to move onto another experiment.
I moved onto editing an animation by altering filters and composition. I used a scene from an anime as an example and experimented with filters to alter its whole appearance as a scene. However I could not upload the GIFs but I provided some images of comparison images from the GIF. The quality of the second filter invokes a different but all the same pleasing visuals for me. It also reflects comic style which is quite accurate and what I was striving for. With these experiments in mind I will begin by making designs for my GIFs.
High Frame: Walking away from explosion
I began by looking at what I personally believe to be one of the most amazing cinematic moments in history: a person walking away from an explosion. I first looked at references for inspiration, such as The Dark Knight’s Joker iconic explosions scene. I drafted out a rough sketch of the basic idea. Harley Quinn’s walk away from an explosion felt so good I decided to make my animation based on her iconic scene in Birds of Prey.
I began by looking at what I personally believe to be one of the most amazing cinematic moments in history: a person walking away from an explosion. I first looked at references for inspiration, such as The Dark Knight’s Joker iconic explosions scene. I drafted out a rough sketch of the basic idea. Harley Quinn’s walk away from an explosion felt so good I decided to make my animation based on her iconic scene in Birds of Prey.
The end result of the animation was very promising. The smoothness of Harley’s walk was better than I expected and the explosion was very well done; it felt very alive. Her walk feels so jolly yet sadistic which is why I used her as a direct reference.
Low Frame: Countdown
After doing a high frame animation I decided to move to a low frame animation. There were very few film tropes I could associate with a low frame count so I decided to do a simple countdown. This required very little effort and was super easy to make.
After doing a high frame animation I decided to move to a low frame animation. There were very few film tropes I could associate with a low frame count so I decided to do a simple countdown. This required very little effort and was super easy to make.
The result was nice. The bright red colour really helped invoke the sense of danger, but this was something to work with and possibly help with more low frame animations.
High Frame: Creepy Recording
Building on the previous animation I decided to take a similar approach to this next animation. I went for a more digital approach and sketched out a filter in the style of a camera recording. However I decided to add a little something in the mix. Using my own personal knowledge of the trope I incorporated an unknown message into the animation to help reinforce that idea.
Building on the previous animation I decided to take a similar approach to this next animation. I went for a more digital approach and sketched out a filter in the style of a camera recording. However I decided to add a little something in the mix. Using my own personal knowledge of the trope I incorporated an unknown message into the animation to help reinforce that idea.
The result of this animation was very nice. The darkness of the background helped incorporate the creepy feeling behind the animation, as well as the message which allowed it to stand out from the background. The message was slow enough to give off the creepiness I had planned, however, it also informs the viewer that the sender can see you, as if its like a fourth wall break too, which I had not intended to incorporate originally.
Low Frame: Defusing Bomb
I continued to use the digital font for the next idea as I felt it could applied to yet another animation idea. I immediately thought of a film trope where a bomb is being defused but the hesitation of cutting the wrong wire.
I continued to use the digital font for the next idea as I felt it could applied to yet another animation idea. I immediately thought of a film trope where a bomb is being defused but the hesitation of cutting the wrong wire.
The result of this animation was promising. The simplicity of the animation kept the focus of the film trope it represented. I included a little message on the bomb to strengthen the idea that if you have the cut the correct wire the bomb will immediately inform you. I will begin working with different kinds of
High Frame: Glowing Red Eye
This next idea just randomly came to me and gave me a new trope to work with. A glowing eye is used in quite a few films, such as Mechagodzilla’s red eye, and I decided to use that as inspiration for my own animation.
This next idea just randomly came to me and gave me a new trope to work with. A glowing eye is used in quite a few films, such as Mechagodzilla’s red eye, and I decided to use that as inspiration for my own animation.
The result of this animation was great. The red is vibrant and invokes a sense of danger, even in this simple animation. The glow helps strengthen the qualities of the eye. Although I could have included a reflection in the eye perhaps, the animation really works and fits its purpose.
High Frame: Untouchable Hero
This idea came to me quite suddenly. The purpose of this trope is to show how good a protagonist can be in a fight against the antagonist. So goof in fact nothing the antagonist does can never seem to make contact with the protagonist. Using similar ideas for the eye animation I will use these to create the animation.
This idea came to me quite suddenly. The purpose of this trope is to show how good a protagonist can be in a fight against the antagonist. So goof in fact nothing the antagonist does can never seem to make contact with the protagonist. Using similar ideas for the eye animation I will use these to create the animation.
The result was very promising. The fight is smooth and still possesses very noticeable actions being used, such as a knife being wielded. The colours were intended to show which character was who; blue is the protagonist and red is the antagonist. At first the animation was quite basic. The background was plain white and the characters were plain in their respective colours. However, after receiving some advice I incorporated texture into both the background and the characters. Not only does the texture work nicely it also helps with the depth of the characters, giving the sense of urgency and quick movement as suggested by their rapidly moving textures.
Medium Frame: Fourth Wall Break
After watching some films I noticed that fourth wall breaks were interesting. The character breaks the fourth wall by talking directly to the audience. Deadpool was my first thought to use as direct inspiration, however, I felt that Austin Powers would be a better choice as I feel he could make everyone feel a little uncomfortable but at the same cause some laughter with his comments.
After watching some films I noticed that fourth wall breaks were interesting. The character breaks the fourth wall by talking directly to the audience. Deadpool was my first thought to use as direct inspiration, however, I felt that Austin Powers would be a better choice as I feel he could make everyone feel a little uncomfortable but at the same cause some laughter with his comments.
The result of the animation was promising. The simplicity of the animation, the winking eye, fits so well into the character. Austin Powers looks towards the audience asking one of his hilarious questions. The basic colours I feel also represent a retro feeling, an old but cool reference. I could have incorporated sound to the animation, however, I felt the timing would have been off, out of sync with the speech. Nevertheless I liked the end result of this animation.
Low Frame: Old Man from Horror Movies
A popular film trope, especially from the horror genre, is a side character, an old man, warning the main protagonists to not do what they are about to do. Friday the 13th incorporates this trope the most. While the character seems crazy, by the end of the film his warning makes sense but it ends up being too late to realise it. Using this idea I will create a simple animation for this trope.
A popular film trope, especially from the horror genre, is a side character, an old man, warning the main protagonists to not do what they are about to do. Friday the 13th incorporates this trope the most. While the character seems crazy, by the end of the film his warning makes sense but it ends up being too late to realise it. Using this idea I will create a simple animation for this trope.
The result was good. The contrast is quite strong as the words stands out from the old man. The words are bloody to show the deadly meaning behind his words. The words also stand out more to imply that his words should be heeded; the man isn’t important but his words are. His warning was the only thing that could save people but would most likely be ignored. This animation was quite interesting to make and I will move onto another trope.
High Frame: Fight Scene
After watching an Austin Powers film I had noticed some tropes I could incorporate into my next animation. The first idea was a character in the foreground while there was a fight in the background, however, I felt it would have made the animation too busy. My next thought was the fight itself. There was a scene in the film where one of the characters was shoved into a pillow case and slammed against the surroundings. I felt that idea was so good I decided to use that for my animation.
After watching an Austin Powers film I had noticed some tropes I could incorporate into my next animation. The first idea was a character in the foreground while there was a fight in the background, however, I felt it would have made the animation too busy. My next thought was the fight itself. There was a scene in the film where one of the characters was shoved into a pillow case and slammed against the surroundings. I felt that idea was so good I decided to use that for my animation.
Medium Frame: Slamming Object into Table
Low Frame: Boring Elevator
One trope I rarely see in films is a scene where characters are in an elevator that seems to take forever to get to another floor. The boredom is reinforced by music playing in the background. Having this idea in mind I decided to make an animation of this trope.
One trope I rarely see in films is a scene where characters are in an elevator that seems to take forever to get to another floor. The boredom is reinforced by music playing in the background. Having this idea in mind I decided to make an animation of this trope.
The result was very nice. I included two characters, one leaning against a rail while the other sitting in the corner asleep. The music notes directly represent music playing in the background. Although the animation is good I could have added music in the background to help strengthen the idea of the animation, to incorporate the boredom. The characters I drew intentionally small to also incorporate a feeling of emptiness. Depsite the big size of the elevator it doesn’t help the fact they are stuck in the most boring and slowest elevator.
Project 4: Reflection
For this project I am tasked with looking at the previous projects from this semester and create a piece/pieces that reflects the strengths and weaknesses of the previous projects. I will analyse each piece from the previous projects and note down what I felt was strong and what could be improved.
To create my piece, I felt like the most important thing to start with was what to incorporate in the piece that relates to the previous projects, in this case i decided to incorporate myself into the piece. I drew out myself in a pose that demonstrated thoughts, thinking about ideas like for previous projects. Once I had that idea in mind I needed to expand upon it, asking myself how could I incorporate the strengths and weaknesses to the piece. However I decided to do three pieces instead of one, each representing the previous projects.
During the time I was analysing my projects’ strengths and weaknesses I began to think about the background for each piece. How could I create representation of the aspects I felt I could control the most, what aspects were strongest? Then I discovered the inspiring glass windows found in churches. The main thing I found inspiring was the halo that usually emanates from the person’s head, which sun rays blast out from the centre of the halo. This helped me figure out how to use the background to represent the strongest aspects of the projects. This also reminded me of a stage in the Street Fighter games, where theres a part of the background that shows a sun with rays coming from it, and if positioned right the sun would be right behind the character’s head as they pose in victory. With this inspiration in mind I will use this to create final pieces for the project.
For the first piece of the project it is a direct representation of the typeface project. The one thing I felt I had the most control of in the typeface project was contrast. The restriction of colour was to force me to use tones to make something just as interesting, and the ability to control the amount of black and white in an image was strong, so I decided to use dip pen and ink to create the first piece. The entire image consisted of pen and ink; the background was filled with a pattern, and using the halo idea as inspiration, the black and white patterns were made to emanate from my head, meaning the idea of contrast was a thought and coming from my thoughts.
For the second piece of the project it is a direct representation of the 3D project. The strongest aspect I felt I could control in this project was the 3D making; the ability to make the album cover as 3D as possible. It was an aspect I absolutely had to control which was the strongest aspect of the project. I decided to use watercolour in this piece as it was one of the most plausible mediums for me to try and make something as 3D as possible. I designed a background using the halo inspiration to make a 3D like pattern emanating from my head, implying 3D thoughts and ideas are coming from my head. The background also reminded me of a kaleidoscope and the patterns you see when you look into it.
For the third and final piece it is a direct representation of the animation project. The aspect I felt like I had control of the most was the wide variety of colour and vibrance. Although the main part of the animation was to make moving GIFs, colour was one of the strongest aspects to make an animation come to life, so I decided to use posca markers. The entire image consisted of vibrant colours, especially the background. I felt inspired by the way anime colours were used, the way to show light and shadow, however, I was also inspired by the design of characters in the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as they have a consistent yet satisfying style. Using that in mind I used posca markers to make myself come to life onto the piece. The background was filled with splatters of colour, emanating from my head to suggest the colourful thoughts coming from my head.
For the second piece of the project it is a direct representation of the 3D project. The strongest aspect I felt I could control in this project was the 3D making; the ability to make the album cover as 3D as possible. It was an aspect I absolutely had to control which was the strongest aspect of the project. I decided to use watercolour in this piece as it was one of the most plausible mediums for me to try and make something as 3D as possible. I designed a background using the halo inspiration to make a 3D like pattern emanating from my head, implying 3D thoughts and ideas are coming from my head. The background also reminded me of a kaleidoscope and the patterns you see when you look into it.
For the third and final piece it is a direct representation of the animation project. The aspect I felt like I had control of the most was the wide variety of colour and vibrance. Although the main part of the animation was to make moving GIFs, colour was one of the strongest aspects to make an animation come to life, so I decided to use posca markers. The entire image consisted of vibrant colours, especially the background. I felt inspired by the way anime colours were used, the way to show light and shadow, however, I was also inspired by the design of characters in the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as they have a consistent yet satisfying style. Using that in mind I used posca markers to make myself come to life onto the piece. The background was filled with splatters of colour, emanating from my head to suggest the colourful thoughts coming from my head.