Design Principles - Task 3

Ruchira Nowreen || 0347111
Major: Bachelor of Software Engineering || Minor: Creative Media Design || Taylor's University
Design Principles GCD 60804 || 
Section 2
Week 5 - Week 7 (04/03/24 - 24/03/24)
Task 3 Design 




TABLE OF CONTENTS




INSTRUCTIONS

Figure 1: Module information booklet



RECAP OF TASK 3 BRIEF

For Task 3, we were required to create a design inspired by or in reaction to the analysis of a chosen design from Task 2. The design should apply our understanding of design principles and can use any suitable medium or materials. Direct use of photographs was not permitted to avoid plagiarism. The task included documenting our progress and presenting it to the lecturer for feedback.

The requirements for our Task 3 Design blog post were as follows:
1. Recap of the Task 3 brief.
2. Visual references with sources cited that inspired our ideas.
3. 3-5 sketches, either manual or digital, of our design ideas.
4. Final design in A4 size, JPEG format.
5. Rationale (150-200 words) explaining and defending the decisions made in our design, including the meaning/purpose and the design principles applied.
6. Feedback from the lecturer.

I ensured that my blog post contained all the necessary components and reflected my progress and final design accurately.



VISUAL REFERENCES

To begin my design process for Task 3, I sought inspiration from various artworks to spark my creativity and guide my initial sketches. Pinterest proved to be a valuable resource, offering a vast array of visual stimuli that resonated with my design objectives. Among the artworks that caught my attention were pieces that showcased intricate details, bold use of color, and creative compositions. These elements aligned with the aesthetic I envisioned for my own design, prompting me to delve deeper into exploring similar styles and techniques. Additionally, I was drawn to artworks that effectively conveyed emotion and narrative through visual storytelling, inspiring me to imbue my own design with depth and meaning. Below, I'll share some of the artworks that particularly caught my attention.

Figure 2: Visual References #1, Source: Pinterest

Figure 3: Visual References #2, Source: Pinterest



SKETCHES

Next, I began sketching out my concepts by combining and reimagining ideas from the artworks I had seen, adding my own creative twists. I developed six different sketches, which I later showed to my lecturer. He expressed a preference for the sketch depicting a giant hand feeding junk to the fish, finding it more compelling than the others.

Figure 4: Sketch #1

Sketch 1 features a giant hand feeding junk to a shark, symbolizing human impact on marine life. The contrast highlights the power humans have over the environment, urging reflection on conservation. The sketch prompts viewers to consider the consequences of their actions on the natural world.

Figure 5: Sketch #2

Sketch 2 portrays a giant hand feeding junk to small fishes in a sea, with the fishes appearing confused. The scene conveys the idea of human-induced pollution and its impact on marine life, emphasizing the need for environmental awareness and conservation.

Figure 6: Sketch #3

Sketch 3 illustrates a giant hand feeding junk to various sea creatures in an aquarium that resembles the Earth. This concept symbolizes human impact on marine life and the planet, highlighting the need for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

Figure 7: Sketch #4

Sketch 4 portrays a giant whale diving into a dustbin, symbolizing the pollution of water bodies. This concept serves as a stark reminder of the environmental impact of human actions and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Figure 8: Sketch #5

Sketch 5 illustrates a small fish being chased by a medium fish, which is in turn pursued by a large plastic bottle, symbolizing the escalating threat posed by plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Figure 9: Sketch #6

Sketch 6 features a man eating a fish, which in turn is consuming a plastic bottle, symbolizing the tagline "We are what we eat." This powerful image highlights the interconnectedness of human actions and their impact on the environment, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to protect marine life.

Mr. Charles favored my sketch 3, portraying the Earth as an aquarium, symbolizing the planet's fragile ecosystem and the human impact on marine life. This concept resonated as it conveys a broader message of environmental conservation and global interconnectedness, emphasizing the urgent need for action.



WORK PROGRESS

To create the artwork, I utilized Adobe Illustrator. My process began with digitizing my concept using the pen tool, meticulously tracing the outline of each element. Once the basic shapes were in place, I added colors to bring the scene to life. I carefully composed the various elements of the artwork, ensuring they fit together seamlessly to convey the intended message. The digital format allowed me to refine details and experiment with different arrangements until I achieved the desired composition. Below, I will guide you through my workflow, detailing the steps taken to develop the final artwork.

My concept evolved from the idea of combining an aquarium and the Earth, which led me to use reference images to help illustrate my art. These images served as a guide, inspiring me to create a visual representation that effectively conveyed my concept.



Figure 10: Reference elements, Source: Aquarium, Earth

Initially, my artwork was rough and had several shortcomings. However, after receiving feedback from Mr. Charles, he expressed a strong liking for the concept of the giant hand spreading trash. Encouraged by his feedback, I continued to refine the artwork as per his suggestions. He advised me to make the trash look more realistic, reshape the fish, and add extra details to the hand. This feedback was instrumental in guiding my revisions and improving the overall quality of the artwork.

Figure 11: Initial artwork

Next, I added nails to the hand as Mr. Charles suggested. This addition helped enhance the realism of the hand and added a sense of detail that was missing in the previous version of the artwork. I also added a stool to support the aquarium.

Figure 12: Artwork Modification Progress #1


I incorporated the concept of a spotlight, similar to those used by police, to emphasize the issue of water pollution and capture the act of pollution in action. Below, I will provide a reference image to illustrate this concept for better understanding.

Figure 13: Spotlight Concept Reference, Source

In this step, I added the spotlight to the artwork. This element was crucial in highlighting the action of the giant hand, emphasizing its role in polluting the ocean. The spotlight also adds a sense of drama and focus to the scene, drawing the viewer's attention to the central theme of marine pollution. The spotlight also helped add dimension to my solid black background, which otherwise might have felt dull or uninteresting. I also added the shadows of the hand and the aquarium to simulate the effect of the strong searchlight. I also integrated shadows for the aquarium and the hand to enhance the artwork's realism and depth. To achieve a more natural shadow effect, I applied a Gaussian blur.

Figure 14: Artwork Modification Progress #2

I intensified the focal point in the searchlight by concentrating the light in the middle. I also experimented with changing the land colors, but upon reflection, I realized that this change didn't enhance the overall composition as intended.

Figure 15: Artwork Modification Progress #3

I refined the land in the aquarium by reshaping and recoloring it. Adding transparency and a drop-down shadow helped integrate it better with the underwater scene.

Figure 16: Artwork Modification Progress #4

In this step, I have once again changed the transparent land to opaque, as the transparent one was not blending well with the artwork. Additionally, I added details to the aquarium and highlights to give it better dimension.

Figure 17: Artwork Modification Progress #5

Next, I have rectified the trashes, making them look more like trash, as Mr. Charles suggested. I also incorporated shadows for the trash to enhance the artwork's realism and depth.

Figure 18: Artwork Modification Progress #6

Lastly, I have altered the shapes of the fish as suggested by Mr. Charles and introduced several unique creatures such as jellyfish, tortoises, and starfish to diversify the ecosystem portrayed.

Figure 19: Artwork Modification Progress #7

The picture below shows all the steps I took to modify my artwork in a single frame.

Figure 20: Artwork Modifications Steps

This is my artwork after incorporating all the modifications and enhancements based on the feedback received so far. The artwork is titled "Caught in Action," depicting a powerful message about human impact on marine life.

Figure 21: Final Artwork before Feedback

At this point, I sought a final review from Mr. Charles before finalizing and submitting my work. He pointed out some aspects that needed rectification in the artwork. Firstly, the pollutants should be visibly dropping from the fingers and touching the water. Secondly, the stool seemed out of place in the artwork, which I realized after he pointed it out. It was indeed detracting from the aesthetics of the surrealism, so I made the necessary changes.

Figure 22: Artwork Modification Progress #8

FINAL ARTWORK

Therefore, I present my final artwork after incorporating the final modifications.

Figure 23: Final Artwork, 'Caught in Action' by Ruchira Nowreen



RATIONALE 

In "Caught in Action," deliberate choices were made to emphasize the urgency of marine pollution. The enlarged human hand pouring pollutants serves as the focal point, highlighting our role in harming aquatic ecosystems. The contrast between vibrant marine life and the dark background underscores the gravity of the situation. Transparency, symbolized by the fishbowl's clarity, represents visibility and accountability.

Aligned with UNSDG 14: Life Below Water, the fishbowl signifies our planet, its water symbolizing life-filled oceans. The hand pouring pollutants symbolizes our destructive actions. Silhouetted sea creatures represent the shared fate of marine life, illustrating that our actions impact the entire ecosystem. The spotlight not only exposes pollution but also illuminates the path toward positive change.

The artwork effectively applies design principles. The enlarged hand and red nail paint create emphasis. Contrast between the dark background and vibrant marine life enhances urgency. Movement is conveyed through the viewer's eye being guided from the hand to the globe with pollutants. Visual storytelling evokes empathy, and the composition demonstrates unity, asymmetrical balance, simplicity, and clarity. "Caught in Action" combines aesthetics with a strong environmental message, urging viewers to take action to preserve life below water.

Word count: 193

PDF showcasing the design principles present

Figure 24: PDF showcasing the design principles



FEEDBACK 

Week 7

- The concept of a giant hand feeding sea animals is intriguing and well-received.

- Continue developing this unique concept to enhance its impact.

- Enhance the details of the hand feeding the fish to elevate its impact, put finger rings/nail paints.

- Preserve the unique concept of the oversized hand.

- Add more details to refine the illustration.

- Explore additional variations of the concept for creative exploration.

- Ensure that the trash elements are clearly recognizable as such.

- Maintain opaque fishes for enhanced contrast and visual impact.


Week 8


- What is the purpose of the stool in your artwork, and how does it contribute to the overall message? (Concerns about its compatibility with the aesthetics)

- Ensure that the pollutants are visibly touching the water and appear to be dropping from the fingers.




REFLECTIONS

Task 3 was an exciting and challenging endeavor that allowed me to further explore my creativity and design skills. It was a rewarding experience to see my ideas take shape and evolve into a meaningful artwork. Collaborating with my lecturer and receiving feedback helped me refine my concept and improve the overall quality of my design. I enjoyed the process of researching, sketching, and digitizing my ideas, as it allowed me to experiment with different techniques and styles. Overall, Task 3 was a valuable learning experience that helped me grow as a designer.

Throughout Task 3, I observed the importance of research and inspiration in the design process. By studying various artworks and visual references, I was able to gather ideas and develop a concept that effectively conveyed my message. I also learned the significance of feedback in refining my design. The feedback from my lecturer provided valuable insights and suggestions for improvement, which ultimately enhanced the impact of my artwork. Additionally, I found that applying design principles such as emphasis, contrast, and unity was crucial in creating a visually engaging and meaningful composition.

Task 3 was a journey of creative exploration and learning. I enjoyed the process of conceptualizing and creating my artwork, "Caught in Action," which aimed to raise awareness about marine pollution. The experience taught me the importance of using design principles to convey a message effectively and the value of seeking inspiration from diverse sources. I also learned the significance of receiving feedback and using it to refine my work. Overall, Task 3 was a fulfilling experience that allowed me to apply my design skills in a meaningful way and contribute to the important cause of environmental conservation.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Design Principles - Task 1

Digital Photography & Imaging - Week 14

Design Principles - Final Compilation