NM2208 was and IS a challenging module for me so far. Technically, I'm not very aesthetically inclined (I've grown to realize, over this semester), and I definitely do not catch on fast on Photoshop and Illustrator techniques. However, through this module, I hope that I have practised and sharpened my sense of aesthetics.
To give a guideline on how to follow through my design processes, for every assignment I have:
1. Pre-final discussion
2. Final Prototype update(s)
3. Post-Lecture Thoughts
(cover extra research and insights on syllabus taught per week)
I've arranged them in chronological order in the archives, so that it is easier to access posts related to each assignment.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR VISITING THIS PLACE :)
Hope you've have many many great days ahead :D
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Post-lecture (8) Thoughts: Typography
What interests me about typography, is how different typeface can be arranged in many different way to exude an active force from the words themselves. Words, are not longer, just words. I found a few photos on typography, which gave me fresh insights on how typography can be used creatively.
Cross-referencing to what we learnt about figure and ground:
Words can be used to form figures as well.
Combination of objects and words to form figures:
Summing up what typography can bring a new meaning and function to words...
Cross-referencing to what we learnt about figure and ground:
Words can be used to form figures as well.
Combination of objects and words to form figures:
Summing up what typography can bring a new meaning and function to words...
Post-lecture (7) Thoughts: Gestalt Principles
I surfed the net and looked for more examples for Gestalt Principles to better understand it as a topic :)
Similarity:
Other than ensuring unity through similar objects, a dissimilar object can be used among the other similar objects to make it become a focal point.
Continuity:
This picture is really interesting! It reminded me once again that drawings reflect our perception of reality and sometimes we may get so caught up in communicating what's on our mind and changing the real form of an object into a drawing. In this process, the connection with the real world must never be broken and such a link can be drawn to give such a creative design as well. I hope I make sense x) In this picture, the drawing "continues" on to the real object itself.
Figure and Ground:
One obvious way to differentiate between figure and ground is the usage of CONTRASTING colours. The colour that stands out more forms the figure and the colour that is "overshadowed" becomes the ground which gives the figure its shape. Such a close relationship and interaction between the two enables the formation of a distinct picture/message/idea.
Above is yet another example whereby the ground enables the shaping of a figure, and the figure is part of what makes up the ground. For the first, the lady can be seen as it is enclosed by the pavement ground. The different in colour is obvious and makes it easy to spot her. For the second, a close-up shot of the old man can be seen as the figure lady is part of his facial features. This is a way which a figure can become part of another figure (lady is part of old man), while another figure can be part of the ground surrounding a figure (old man is around lady). Different people may see either one first, while for some, they may only see one, depending on how they identify with the figure and ground.
Closure:
The picture above depicts the face of a lady making use of a flowering plant. This example makes use of the plant as one side of the lady's face and the picture edge itself to "enclose" the face within. When a viewer tries to interpret a visual image, his or her attention is focused on what's within the "frame of view", in my words. In the "frame of view", they then try to figure out its elements. The picture frame itself helped to demarcate what should be the focus, instead of only showing the size of the picture like other pictures.
Proximity:
Close proximity of separate objects or items enables the viewer to draw a link between/among them and perceive the "grouped" image as a whole. The above picture doesn't have an outline but due to close proximity and its similarity with the object in real life, the viewer can tell that it is a dalmatian doggie. The ability to interpret such an object is dependent on the viewer's background knowledge and prior exposure to the real object as well.
Guess what the above picture is? It is a horse rider on a horse! I really couldn't interpret and make sense out of this picture until I saw the captions of the photo. Closer proximity could have been used to give the picture a more solid and unified shape. On top of that, association of the picture with a horse rider would have been easier if the viewer has experience with or see horse riders often.
:)
Similarity:
Other than ensuring unity through similar objects, a dissimilar object can be used among the other similar objects to make it become a focal point.
Continuity:
This picture is really interesting! It reminded me once again that drawings reflect our perception of reality and sometimes we may get so caught up in communicating what's on our mind and changing the real form of an object into a drawing. In this process, the connection with the real world must never be broken and such a link can be drawn to give such a creative design as well. I hope I make sense x) In this picture, the drawing "continues" on to the real object itself.
Figure and Ground:
One obvious way to differentiate between figure and ground is the usage of CONTRASTING colours. The colour that stands out more forms the figure and the colour that is "overshadowed" becomes the ground which gives the figure its shape. Such a close relationship and interaction between the two enables the formation of a distinct picture/message/idea.
Above is yet another example whereby the ground enables the shaping of a figure, and the figure is part of what makes up the ground. For the first, the lady can be seen as it is enclosed by the pavement ground. The different in colour is obvious and makes it easy to spot her. For the second, a close-up shot of the old man can be seen as the figure lady is part of his facial features. This is a way which a figure can become part of another figure (lady is part of old man), while another figure can be part of the ground surrounding a figure (old man is around lady). Different people may see either one first, while for some, they may only see one, depending on how they identify with the figure and ground.
Closure:
The picture above depicts the face of a lady making use of a flowering plant. This example makes use of the plant as one side of the lady's face and the picture edge itself to "enclose" the face within. When a viewer tries to interpret a visual image, his or her attention is focused on what's within the "frame of view", in my words. In the "frame of view", they then try to figure out its elements. The picture frame itself helped to demarcate what should be the focus, instead of only showing the size of the picture like other pictures.
Proximity:
Close proximity of separate objects or items enables the viewer to draw a link between/among them and perceive the "grouped" image as a whole. The above picture doesn't have an outline but due to close proximity and its similarity with the object in real life, the viewer can tell that it is a dalmatian doggie. The ability to interpret such an object is dependent on the viewer's background knowledge and prior exposure to the real object as well.
Guess what the above picture is? It is a horse rider on a horse! I really couldn't interpret and make sense out of this picture until I saw the captions of the photo. Closer proximity could have been used to give the picture a more solid and unified shape. On top of that, association of the picture with a horse rider would have been easier if the viewer has experience with or see horse riders often.
:)
Assignment 6: Poster critique and Gestalt Principles
Assignment 6: Critique on a poster based on Gestalt Principles.
Gestalt Principles:
Figure and Ground
Proximity
Similarity
Continuity
Closure
Critique:
Figure and Ground: There is no clear distinction between figure and ground. It is unclear whether the designer wants the skull to be the figure or the emblem and school gate to be the figure.
There are two main colours used for the poster - intense shade of pink and light soil brown colour. Objects of different categories like the skull emblem, feathers and decorative items bordering the emblem are hot pink. Larger, structured objects like the school gate, the banner which states "portfolio day" etc. are a faded light murky brown colour. This complex arrangement of objects distracts the viewer and it is difficult to find a focus.
Proximity: Riding on the complex arrangement and interaction between Figure and Ground, close proximity of the objects on the poster gives rise to confusion. There is no sense of unity, or rather, too much unity literally. For example, ribbons which belong to the bottom part of the emblem overlap with the school gate. Even if the design is nice, details will be missed out if proximity is too close.
Similarity: Designer made use of circles to represent a variety of objects and it makes the viewer confused about what's going on in the picture (as it is instinctive to make sense of something by grouping objects of similar shape/colour together).
Closure: Designer made use of a spiral background to "enclose" the skull emblem. The frame of the skull emblem and the school gate "encloses" the skull as well. However, this causes the skull emblem to lose its form as an emblem. A viewer may take awhile to demarcate visually the outline of the emblem.
Overall, the specific designs of every element on the poster is good but due to conflict with Gestalt Principles, a viewer may take some time before figuring out what's on the poster. In terms of communicating a message, the poster has failed to do so as one will get lost amidst all the details and after viewing, the viewer may ask "so what's this portfolio day?" The message can be communicated only if the students KNOW what's portfolio day and that you should register for it. Details like "3 June" should be made even more obvious instead of trying to integrate it as part of the emblem design.
Class feedback
During tutorial, many people in the class felt that the aim of the poster was to grab people's attention with it's bombastic decoration and get them to take a closer look. Some agreed that it's messy but others felt that the art of this "messiness" brings out the "artsy" feel and is a form of confetti art.
Criticism and analysis of art is subjective based on different principles but arguing from the perspective of Gestalt Principles, the arguments above can be valid.
Gestalt Principles:
Figure and Ground
Proximity
Similarity
Continuity
Closure
Critique:
Figure and Ground: There is no clear distinction between figure and ground. It is unclear whether the designer wants the skull to be the figure or the emblem and school gate to be the figure.
There are two main colours used for the poster - intense shade of pink and light soil brown colour. Objects of different categories like the skull emblem, feathers and decorative items bordering the emblem are hot pink. Larger, structured objects like the school gate, the banner which states "portfolio day" etc. are a faded light murky brown colour. This complex arrangement of objects distracts the viewer and it is difficult to find a focus.
Proximity: Riding on the complex arrangement and interaction between Figure and Ground, close proximity of the objects on the poster gives rise to confusion. There is no sense of unity, or rather, too much unity literally. For example, ribbons which belong to the bottom part of the emblem overlap with the school gate. Even if the design is nice, details will be missed out if proximity is too close.
Similarity: Designer made use of circles to represent a variety of objects and it makes the viewer confused about what's going on in the picture (as it is instinctive to make sense of something by grouping objects of similar shape/colour together).
Closure: Designer made use of a spiral background to "enclose" the skull emblem. The frame of the skull emblem and the school gate "encloses" the skull as well. However, this causes the skull emblem to lose its form as an emblem. A viewer may take awhile to demarcate visually the outline of the emblem.
Overall, the specific designs of every element on the poster is good but due to conflict with Gestalt Principles, a viewer may take some time before figuring out what's on the poster. In terms of communicating a message, the poster has failed to do so as one will get lost amidst all the details and after viewing, the viewer may ask "so what's this portfolio day?" The message can be communicated only if the students KNOW what's portfolio day and that you should register for it. Details like "3 June" should be made even more obvious instead of trying to integrate it as part of the emblem design.
Class feedback
During tutorial, many people in the class felt that the aim of the poster was to grab people's attention with it's bombastic decoration and get them to take a closer look. Some agreed that it's messy but others felt that the art of this "messiness" brings out the "artsy" feel and is a form of confetti art.
Criticism and analysis of art is subjective based on different principles but arguing from the perspective of Gestalt Principles, the arguments above can be valid.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Project Assignment: Individual
Theme: Loving your grandparents
Story idea: One day, like any other day, Joyce left for school in the morning. Grandma reminded her to be back home by 1pm after school as she would be cooking lunch. After dismissal at 12.45pm, Joyce was asked to join her friend, John, to play at a playground near school. Joyce remembered that Grandma was cooking lunch but decided to follow John. She had a really great time and time flew past. At 3pm, John had to go home. On her way home, an angry Grandma appeared in Joyce’s mind and Joyce quivered in fear of getting scolded. Suddenly, it started to rain without any warning and there’s no sheltered way home. Joyce ran but in her rush, she slipped and fell. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she regretted not listening to Grandma. If she had gone home by 1pm she would not be caught in this rain! However, Grandma came, smiling at her warmly with an umbrella in hand and they went home happily together. In the years to come, Joyce always remembered this day and was always there to offer Grandma an umbrella on rainy days.
Story Title: Love Your Loved Ones
Sketches:
Why it was not chosen in the end:
No actual element of surprise (pure narration of a simple event)
Too slapstick
Boring and lack of action
Story idea: One day, like any other day, Joyce left for school in the morning. Grandma reminded her to be back home by 1pm after school as she would be cooking lunch. After dismissal at 12.45pm, Joyce was asked to join her friend, John, to play at a playground near school. Joyce remembered that Grandma was cooking lunch but decided to follow John. She had a really great time and time flew past. At 3pm, John had to go home. On her way home, an angry Grandma appeared in Joyce’s mind and Joyce quivered in fear of getting scolded. Suddenly, it started to rain without any warning and there’s no sheltered way home. Joyce ran but in her rush, she slipped and fell. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she regretted not listening to Grandma. If she had gone home by 1pm she would not be caught in this rain! However, Grandma came, smiling at her warmly with an umbrella in hand and they went home happily together. In the years to come, Joyce always remembered this day and was always there to offer Grandma an umbrella on rainy days.
Story Title: Love Your Loved Ones
Sketches:
Why it was not chosen in the end:
No actual element of surprise (pure narration of a simple event)
Too slapstick
Boring and lack of action
Monday, October 17, 2011
Assignment 5: CFA Card (Final)
Landscape. Parallel elements to portray continuity. Snowflakes and pixie dust added in to represent "Christmas" and "New Year" on alternate sides of the ribbon. Silhouette of dancer is kept in the middle and below the font to avoid distraction and maintain the connection with the main dancer body.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Critique for CFA Card
In general, my CFA card design was simple and the feedback I realized during critique was that having a dark maroon background was too "heavy" and perhaps too sombre for the occasion and I should pick another colour combination which gives a lighter feeling that is representative of the "arts" like dance as well.
so i've chosen this e-card and it will be developed more :)
so i've chosen this e-card and it will be developed more :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Assignment 4: Fat-O-Meter Poster (Final)
Theme: Stimulating the health conscious in people
Target Audience: Overweight people at large. Average people are secondary.
The poster aims to target people who are overweight and also serves as a reminder for people who aren't to keep in shape and be healthy.
Thumbnails:
Roughs:
Critique
A comparison between a thin girl and fat girl has insufficient motivation for a person to take on dieting actions. In addition to inadequate persuasion, the scary effect of being a fat person was not communicated at all.
Final:
In order to achieve the scary effect and at the same time motivate audiences to be more conscious of the amount of fatty food they consume, a realistic internal body fat scan image was used instead. The stark contrast in an average person and an obese person raises awareness of how fats actually accummulate in our body. Normal people do not feel the existence of the fats, but they know that they have "fat" regions around the body. Reality is always cruel and harsh and the audience need to be aware.
Target Audience: Overweight people at large. Average people are secondary.
The poster aims to target people who are overweight and also serves as a reminder for people who aren't to keep in shape and be healthy.
Thumbnails:
Roughs:
Critique
A comparison between a thin girl and fat girl has insufficient motivation for a person to take on dieting actions. In addition to inadequate persuasion, the scary effect of being a fat person was not communicated at all.
Final:
In order to achieve the scary effect and at the same time motivate audiences to be more conscious of the amount of fatty food they consume, a realistic internal body fat scan image was used instead. The stark contrast in an average person and an obese person raises awareness of how fats actually accummulate in our body. Normal people do not feel the existence of the fats, but they know that they have "fat" regions around the body. Reality is always cruel and harsh and the audience need to be aware.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Post-lecture (5) Thoughts: Elements of fear
In order to know how to make my poster scary, I did a research on how other posters induce fear in people. It is important to understand the mind of a human being and what it fears instinctively so that fear can be induced in a natural manner. Sometimes fearsome photos can integrate (black/sadistic) humour as well, and people's action will be "EEEEEE... HAHA!".
1. Dehumanization - Usage of gross inhumane images which will be translated into the emotion of fear in us. We fear because the images direct us to think about how people became so "inhuman" which is usually a cruel process.
(this is a demotivational poster which are quite common. some induce a mixture of fear and humour effect at the same time).
2. Cruelty at a socially unacceptable and deviant level
3. Appealing to basic human desire to live. Pointing out the dangerous consequence of their current actions.
The numbers of ways posters can induce fear in people are numerous, but there is one fundamental element which never changes. Fear is induced when people are exposed to inhumanity, discomfort, or terrible consequences of actions (not limited to this). Every individual have different fears and what's important is that the target audience of your poster should FEAR the topic of your poster. This amplifies the fearsome effect of a poster.
1. Dehumanization - Usage of gross inhumane images which will be translated into the emotion of fear in us. We fear because the images direct us to think about how people became so "inhuman" which is usually a cruel process.
(this is a demotivational poster which are quite common. some induce a mixture of fear and humour effect at the same time).
2. Cruelty at a socially unacceptable and deviant level
3. Appealing to basic human desire to live. Pointing out the dangerous consequence of their current actions.
The numbers of ways posters can induce fear in people are numerous, but there is one fundamental element which never changes. Fear is induced when people are exposed to inhumanity, discomfort, or terrible consequences of actions (not limited to this). Every individual have different fears and what's important is that the target audience of your poster should FEAR the topic of your poster. This amplifies the fearsome effect of a poster.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Assignment 3: The Orange and Apple, and The Lemon (Final)
Introduction of Apple and Orange.
Landscape. Long shot.
Apple approaches Orange.
Landscape. Medium shot. Apple is arranged in front as it is the acting character.
Apple and Orange spend romantic night together.
Landscape. Shot taken from top view to capture the candle light being cast on the two fruits' surfaces.
In candlelight, Apple and Orange kiss <3
Portrait. Long shot to include shadows and create ambiance better.
Lemon appears.
Landscape. Tilt (Dutch) shot to hint disturbance.
Lemon replaces Apple by Orange's side.
Landscape. Close-up shot of apple with blurred lemon and orange in background.
Hand reaches in to grab Orange.
Landscape. Long shot to capture the presence of all three fruits.
Orange was "killed". Lemon and Apple watch from a distance.
Landscape. Close-up shot of eat orange to maximize impact of loss of lover. Blurred lemon and apple to portray distance.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Assignment 3 Update: Need to buy fruits
As my orange had been eaten, I'll have to find time to buy new fruits for Assignment 3 again.
Post-lecture (4) Thoughts: Angles
From the lecture, I've understood the jargon and terminology which describes the different camera angles and shots used in our daily lives - industrial, recreational, commercial.
I would like to share a activity that requires skilled angling which gives you a whole new perspective and meaning to a picture, if taken from a normal angle.
Introducing to you, Extreme Tilting.
From a normal long shot, the actors in the pictures will look totally nuts. But due to the 90 degrees tilt in angle, they create an illusive "action" picture which captures a dynamic jump/fall in one photo. Really creative, hope you enjoyed it :)
I would like to share a activity that requires skilled angling which gives you a whole new perspective and meaning to a picture, if taken from a normal angle.
Introducing to you, Extreme Tilting.
From a normal long shot, the actors in the pictures will look totally nuts. But due to the 90 degrees tilt in angle, they create an illusive "action" picture which captures a dynamic jump/fall in one photo. Really creative, hope you enjoyed it :)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Assignment 3: 1 Story, 8 Pictures.
Apple meets Orange.
Apple BLUSHES.
Close-up View on Apple. Increase in apple redness.
Candlelight date.
Photo taken with Apple closer to lens as Apple is the main character. Need to have an equal balance between candle and the two fruits so that the attention will still be on the two fruits. Candlelight meant to provide ambiance only.
Kiss scene between Apple and Orange.
Candle is not the focus anymore but having it peeping over the fruits creates a "drama-kiss" effect. Portrait shot points towards the two fruits at the end. Viewer should be able to focus on the kiss easily.
Apple 2 APPEARS! Competition for orange's love begins.
Critique: Apples look alike. Some viewers thought apple and orange had a baby which is an orange.
Solution: CHANGE THE THIRD PARTY.
Newcomer Apple manages to win Orange's heart. Original Apple is replaced and feels jealous.
Close-Up view of Original Apple with the new couple in the background. Original Apple is given a green hue to show jealousy.
Critique: Confusion of which apple is which starts here. Same solution.
Orange disappears. Two apples looking at a certain direction.
Black-out on one side of the picture to show directionality.
Tilting (Dutch angle) attempted to show a sign of horror/fear.
Critique: People couldn't understand why the sudden change in number of fruits. Broken link in storyline.
Solution: Show a hand picking up the Orange and the other two fruits watching Orange being taken away. Directs the storyline to a natural ending with Orange being eaten.
Orange was eaten. Two apples watch their ex-lover from a distance.
Close-up view of orange slices on plate with apples blurred in the distance.
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