DPI WEEK 8 - WEEK 9: [PROJECT 2B - POSTER DESIGN]

✩ 11/11/24 - 24/11/24 (Week 8 - Week 9)

✩ WONG MEI YEE 0367857

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

✩ Week 8 - Week 9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lecture
2. Practical

Lecture

ꕤ WEEK 9 DIGITAL SURREALISM

✧ Realism vs. Surrealism

Realism:

ⓘ Focuses on ordinary, everyday subjects.

ⓘ Represents reality without the need for imaginative or abstract interpretation.

Surrealism:

ⓘ Twists realism by exploring the subconscious and dream-like imagery.

ⓘ Defies logic with bizarre juxtapositions and strange images.

Inspired by Freud’s teachings and the Dada art movement.

✧ Key Influences and Concepts

Dadaism:

ⓘ Anti-war art movement.

ⓘ Features satirical and nonsensical works.

Salvador Dalí:

ⓘ A notable Spanish surrealist painter.

ⓘ Renowned for exploring subconscious imagery.

✧ Digital Surrealism

ⓘ A cultural movement using art to express personal ideas.

ⓘ Popular in digital art as it embraces dream-like, symbolic, and unexpected imagery.

✧ Steps to Create Surrealist Artwork

Sketching:

ⓘ Draft rough ideas without focusing on details.

Reference Images:

ⓘ Gather visuals related to your concept to guide the creative process.

✧ Key Principles

Convincing Imagery:

ⓘ Aim for a balance where the artwork seems real yet remains fantastical.

Learning by Doing:

ⓘ Embrace challenges to develop necessary skills and refine your techniques.

✧ Tools and Techniques

ⓘ Utilize Photoshop to create photomontages, making it easier to develop surrealist images.

Practical

Research - Mood Board ( 3 Posters reference)

First, I surveyed Pinterest to see what kinds of posters I liked and to gather ideas for research related to this task.

Figure 2.1, Reference from Pinterest.

After finding my references, I began thinking about my quote. I decided on 'Swimming through a sea of thoughts, searching for the words to heal my heart' as the quote for my poster.

My design concept visualises the emotional journey of navigating through complex thoughts and feelings, as symbolised by the quote: 'Swimming through a sea of thoughts, searching for the words to heal my heart.' The design features an underwater theme, with a background of layered fish and water elements, creating a dreamy and introspective atmosphere.

Sketch

I started by sketching my idea for the poster before digitising it.

Figure 2.2, Sketch.

Since my concept is underwater, I planned to use photographs I took during my visit to the aquarium at KLCC.

Digitisation

I started drafting the digital poster based on my sketch.

 

Process:

I chose 3 pictures that I took during my visit to the aquarium and inserted them into Photoshop.

Figure 2.3, My pictures.

Figure 2.4, Process.

To create my poster, I followed a structured process in Photoshop, focusing on blending effects, filters, and thoughtful text placement to achieve a visually striking composition. First, I set up the canvas by importing a fish-themed background image as the base layer. Next, I added my portrait as a separate layer, using the Quick Selection Tool and Refine Edge Brush Tool to cut out the subject cleanly. I carefully positioned the cut-out and adjusted its size using Free Transform. To create an ethereal overlay, I duplicated the fish layer, placed it above the portrait, and applied a blending mode like Screen to achieve a semi-transparent effect. A layer mask was then used to refine the visibility of the fish around the subject.
For colour grading, I applied a Gradient Map adjustment layer using a blue palette to unify the image with a dreamlike tone. I introduced texture by creating a 50% grey layer, adding noise, and blending it with Soft Light mode. To enhance depth, I applied a subtle Gaussian Blur to the fish overlay. Finally, I made overall adjustments, fine-tuning brightness and contrast, and added a vignette effect to subtly draw focus toward the centre, resulting in a polished and immersive design.

Figure 2.5, Adding Texts.

Typography was a crucial element; I used the Text Tool from Adobe Illustrator to break the quote into separate layers and placed them around the canvas. To add emphasis, I used contrasting white text within rectangles. 

Final Poster

Title: Swimming through a sea of thoughts, searching for the words to heal my hearts.

Figure 2.6, Final Poster.

Figure 2.7, Final Poster (PDF).

This poster, titled "Swimming Through a Sea of Thoughts," visually captures the journey of introspection and emotional healing. The design features a layered composition where fish swim across a dreamy underwater scene, symbolising the chaotic yet fluid nature of thoughts. Central to the imagery are two portraits submerged in the watery backdrop, representing self-reflection and vulnerability.

To achieve this effect, I started with an aquarium photo as the base layer, applying a gradient map with cool tone (blue) to create a surreal, cohesive colour palette. A fish overlay was added, with its blending mode set to Screen and its opacity adjusted, giving the illusion of transparency and depth. Gaussian Blur was used selectively on the fish to enhance depth and guide the viewer's focus towards the central subjects.

For texture, I incorporated a noise layer set to Soft Light, introducing subtle grain that adds a tactile, cinematic quality to the design. The text is strategically placed across the composition, with simple, modern sans-serif fonts to maintain legibility and balance. Each phrase is framed within rectangles, providing a structured contrast to the fluid, organic imagery. The overall result is an evocative visual narrative that blends emotion and design to reflect the poster's theme of emotional healing.