IVN Task 2: Composition

✩ 14/10/24 - 3/11/24 (Week 4 - Week 6 )

✩ WONG MEI YEE 0367857

✩ IVN / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

✩ Task 2 - Composition

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Working Process
   • Week 4: Inspirations
   • Week 5: Digital and Digital Creation
   • Week 6: Finalizing
4. Reflection

Lectures

ꕤ Week 4 Perspective

✩ Definition of Perspective
ꔚ Art technique for creating the illusion of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface.

ꔚ Conveys height, width, depth, and relative positioning of objects.

✩ One-Point Perspective

ꔚ Simplest perspective form, using a single vanishing point on the horizon.

ꔚ Objects get smaller as they approach the vanishing point until they vanish.

ꔚ All lines recede towards one point, creating depth.

✩ Two-Point Perspective

ꔚ Utilizes two vanishing points on either side of the horizon.

ꔚ Objects are drawn towards both points, enhancing spatial sense and dimensionality.

ꔚ Creates more dynamic views compared to one-point perspective.

✩ Three-Point Perspective

ꔚ Combines two vanishing points on the horizon with an additional point above or below.

ꔚ Adds drama and scale, ideal for large or complex scenes.

ꔚ The angle intensity varies with the distance of the third point from the horizon.

✩ Isometric View

ꔚ Useful for detailed designs, such as individual buildings.

ꔚ Presents three sides of an object clearly without perspective distortion.

✩ Dynamic Application

ꔚ Perspective is flexible and doesn’t always require strict adherence.

ꔚ Mixed perspectives can enhance visual interest, e.g., a spaceship crash scene.

✩ Example - "Las Meninas" by Diego Velázquez

ꔚ This 1656 painting uses composition and perspective to challenge viewer perception.

ꔚ Analyzed for its complex interplay of reality and illusion, influencing Western art.

ꕤ Week 5 Composition 03, Fore, Mid, Background

✩ Composition Basics

ꔚ Composition refers to how an image is arranged to captivate the viewer.
ꔚ Essential in creating a strong sense of space and scale in artwork.

✩ Foreground, Middle-ground, and Background

ꔚ Foreground: Elements closest to the viewer.
ꔚ Middle-ground: Elements positioned between the foreground and background.
ꔚ Background: Elements farthest from the viewer.
ꔚ Using these layers can enhance depth and focus within the artwork.

✩ Focus and Placement

ꔚ Foreground, middle-ground, and background can be used to guide the viewer's eye.
ꔚ Example: Foreground elements can be larger and have high color contrast to highlight focus.

✩ Design Flow
ꔚ Good compositions use these three layers to guide the viewer's eye smoothly, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.
ꔚ Design flow helps direct how viewers process visual content.
ꔚ Useful in various design types, including interface and informational layouts.

✩ Examples

ꔚ "The Soloists": Uses layered composition to enhance storytelling with a theatrical feel.
ꔚ "The Mandalorian" and "Adventure Time": Examples that illustrate focus by arranging elements at different distances.

ꕤ Week 6 Acts Structure

✩ Central Theme
ꔚ Represents the core message or main idea of the story.
ꔚ Major Theme: Repeated throughout the story, integral to the narrative.
ꔚ Minor Theme: Subtle, may not repeat as consistently.

✩ Conflict
ꔚ The driving force of the story, building tension and suspense.
ꔚ Essential for engaging the audience; a lack of conflict leads to a lack of story progression.

✩ Characters
ꔚ Protagonist: Central character with a clear goal or challenge; should evoke emotional connection.
ꔚ Antagonist: Opposes the protagonist, creating obstacles; can be a person, place, thing, or situation.
ꔚ Supporting Characters: Contribute to plot development.

✩ Three-Acts Structure
ꔚ Act 1 (Setup): Introduces the protagonist’s world and ends with the conflict reveal.
ꔚ Act 2 (Rising Tension): Series of escalating obstacles, each with higher stakes.
ꔚ Act 3 (Climax and Resolution): Highest tension point; protagonist resolves conflict, learns from it, or is defeated.

✩ Narrative Exercise
ꔚ Utilises a template for constructing a short story in 300 words or less.
ꔚ Example includes starting with an exposition, moving through inciting incidents, and concluding with a resolution.

✩ Example Short Narratives
ꔚ Includes structured examples following the 3-Acts structure:Exposition: Introduction of characters and setting.
ꔚ Inciting Incident: Conflict initiation.
ꔚ Plot Points and Climax: Rising action and critical turning points.
ꔚ Resolution: Conclusion of the protagonist’s journey.

Instructions



TASK 2
Design a unique Pokémon card featuring my Vormator-based character or a new, original character outside the Vormator shape rules. This task will develop my skills in composition, colour, and storytelling while mastering Adobe Illustrator tools like Pathfinder, Shape Builder, Knife, and additional warping tools.




Key Steps

ⓘ Apply colour and shadow to enhance my character’s visual appeal.
ⓘ Design a composition that includes foreground, midground, and background elements to create a soft narrative around your character.
ⓘ Create a Pokémon card layout with my character’s name, abilities, and rating information.
ⓘ Write a short description of my character’s abilities and characteristics in the style of a traditional Pokémon card.




Working Process

Week 4: Inspirations



Figure 1.1, Background References..










Figure 1.2, Framed Ink.




This sketch is inspired by a lush forest background and utilizes a POV (point-of-view) composition template inspired by Framed Ink. The design captures a whimsical character framed by forest elements, with overlapping leaves in the foreground and distant trees to create depth. The layered composition immerses viewers, giving a sense of peeking into a hidden forest scene, guiding their focus to the central character. Drawing on Framed Ink's POV techniques, this layout builds an inviting atmosphere, with the forest surroundings enhancing the character’s charm and drawing attention to her as the focal point of the scene.



Week 5: Digital and Digital Creation



Figure 2.1, Sketch..




This sketch features a cute, whimsical character in a forest setting, surrounded by natural elements that create a layered composition. The character, with her big eyes, curly hair, and a charming bow, stands at the center, inviting viewers into her world. Framing leaves and flowers in the foreground add depth and a sense of immersion, as if we're peering into her secret forest space. The background trees and distant elements soften in detail, allowing the character to stand out as the main focal point. This composition blends simplicity with a touch of enchantment, capturing a serene, storybook-like scene.







Figure 2.2, Process 1-2.




I started by creating the background elements using basic shapes. A sky-blue rectangle for the upper background, a lighter yellow-green section for the middle, and green leaf-like shapes at the bottom to represent plants. Using the Pen Tool, I constructed the outline of the main character. I began with the character's head, carefully plotting anchor points to shape its round form with slight curves for cuteness. The facial features were then added, including the eyes, mouth, and a bow on top, all crafted using the Pen Tool with smooth curves.





Figure 2.3, Process 3-4.




The character's dress was added next, starting with the bodice, followed by the layered frills. Each section was drawn using the Pen Tool to create the precise, rounded edges needed for a soft, cute appearance. Additional details, such as the hands and feet, were also plotted using the Pen Tool to maintain the overall cartoon-like style.





Figure 2.4, Process 5-6.






Figure 2.5, Process 7-8.







For the foreground, I used the Pen Tool to create large tree shapes on both sides of the scene. These trees frame the composition, with their organic curves contrasting against the more structured character. After the shapes were finalized, I filled them with solid colors. The trees were given warm brown tones, and the plants were colored in light and dark greens to simulate depth. To add a sense of dimensionality, I applied subtle gradients to the character’s dress and the background, giving the illustration a more polished and layered look.





Figure 2.6, Process 9-10.




Finally, I reviewed the entire composition, ensuring all the elements were correctly aligned and colored. The Pen Tool allowed me to fine-tune any paths, ensuring smooth lines throughout the artwork.



Week 6: Finalizing



Figure 3.1, FInal.




Name: Nana
Type: Fairy/Grass
Height: 1'2"
Weight: 8 lbs

Background Story:
Nana is a gentle and rare Pokémon found deep in enchanted forests. Known for her calming presence, she uses her powers to protect her friends and bring peace to her surroundings. With her soothing Petal Breeze and mesmerizing Charm Glow, she can turn even the fiercest battle into a tranquil moment. Her Leaf Shield ability keeps her safe and resilient against attacks, making her a cherished companion for compassionate trainers

Powers:

✩ Petal Breeze - Summons a glowing petal breeze to heal allies and mildly confuse opponents.

✩ Charm Glow - Radiates a soft glow to charm and lower the attack power of opponents.

✩ Leaf Shield - Creates a magical shield of leaves for protection, reflecting minor damage.

Reflection

This task helped me improve my skills in Adobe Illustrator, especially using the Pen Tool for precision. Initially, creating smooth curves was challenging, but with practice, I gained better control over anchor points and path adjustments. I also learned to balance simplicity with detail by adding subtle gradients and layers to create depth without overwhelming the design.

Working with composition, like framing the character with trees, taught me how layout impacts visual storytelling. Overall, this exercise boosted my confidence in creating clean vector illustrations and improved my understanding of composition and color.