TABLE OF CONTENTS
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.
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Figure 2: Visual References #1, Source: Pinterest
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Figure 3: Visual References #2, Source: Pinterest
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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.
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Figure 4: Sketch #1
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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.
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Figure 5: Sketch #2
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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.
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Figure 6: Sketch #3
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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.
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Figure 7: Sketch #4
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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.
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Figure 8: Sketch #5
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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.
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Figure 9: Sketch #6
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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.
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.
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.
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Figure 11: Initial artwork
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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.
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Figure 12: Artwork Modification Progress #1
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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.
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Figure 13: Spotlight Concept Reference,
Source
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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.
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Figure 14: Artwork Modification Progress #2
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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.
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Figure 15: Artwork Modification Progress #3
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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.
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Figure 16: Artwork Modification Progress #4
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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.
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Figure 17: Artwork Modification Progress #5
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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.
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Figure 18: Artwork Modification Progress #6
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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.
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Figure 19: Artwork Modification Progress #7
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The picture below shows all the steps I took to modify my artwork in a
single frame.
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Figure 20: Artwork Modifications Steps
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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.
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Figure 21: Final Artwork before Feedback
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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.
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Figure 22: Artwork Modification Progress #8
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FINAL ARTWORK
Therefore, I present my final artwork after incorporating the final
modifications.
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Figure 23: Final Artwork, 'Caught in Action' by Ruchira
Nowreen
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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.
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