Design Principles - Project 1: Self Portrait
28 Sept 2022 - 12 Oct 2022 (Week 5 - Week 7)
Vincent Lee // 0359386
Design Principles // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's University
Project 1: Self-Portrait
Vincent Lee // 0359386
Design Principles // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's University
Project 1: Self-Portrait
LIST / JUMP LINK
Task
INSTRUCTIONS
Module Information Booklet
<iframe
src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GKz3sVJMhzW7SdDx6yRff9qg8vRFzEwb/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
LECTURES
Week 4
A pre-recorded lecture video is posted on TEAMS for us to have concepts on what is self, what defining us and constructing of mind-map to describe ourself.
Week 5
Dr. Yip reviewed and gave feedbacks on our mind-map individually and briefed us on constructing the design for Project 1. We were asked to construct a new blog for this new project and start our visual research and draw a few sketches as our idea explorations to allow Dr. Yip has a direction on what we going to portrait ourself. In addition, Dr. Yip did mentioned that self portrait could be different ideas and angles to look at ourself, someone or something else, which eventually not really have to portrait ourself. Furthermore, Dr. Yip does suggested us to limit one or two categories from our mindmap to have effective communication. Besides, consideration of the design principles that we had learnt from the past few weeks needed to be illustrate in this project too. Sexual, nudity and exposure design are not advised to create. Last, due to the mistakes that I had made in presenting my mind-map, I re-watch the pre-recorded lecture video and from there, I had learnt that the more you abstract, the more becomes you. I hope this words could help me in designing my self portrait.
1. Small Recap on Project 1 Brief
Figure 1.12 - Dada Collage
Besides, I did apply abstract art (Fig 1.13) as my eyes, although it is not symmetrical balance as one is pointing downwards and the other are facing upward however, with the application of daisy flower as my eyeballs, I think it reduce the weirdness of the eyes.
Then for the nose, I had referred to Joan Miro's art. I think the nose is well-applied and important in this design as the eyes are already eye-catching and visually heavy then same goes to the thick and glossy lips thus, the a simple line in illustrating the nose kind of neutralise the entire design and give a space for people to view. Honestly, I did want to combine the nose and lips together, as the nose will be the cover of the perfume and the lips is the perfume bottles however, I had no special idea on connecting those part together thus, I give up on this idea.
Apart from that, for the cover of the perfume bottle, I had thought about putting my horoscope sign - Libra or maybe my zodiac sign - Horse, however I found it similar like Anna Sui's design. Besides, I consider the visual weight of the overall design. This is due to the eyes and mouth are playing a big role, thus a fancy perfume bottle cover might create chaos if the scale and proportion, space and colour used are not well-considered.
Last, for the background, Dr. Yip has suggested on a textured background, rough parer texture, grain however, I did wanted to try on something else so I used the features in Procreate to create my background and embed it into my Self-Portrait design. The background is giving a futuristic feel yet does not distract the attention from the head.
Design Elements and Principles Applied
A pre-recorded lecture video is posted on TEAMS for us to have concepts on what is self, what defining us and constructing of mind-map to describe ourself.
Figure 1.1 - Who am I? Ways to discover more of myself.
Figure 1.2 - Design/ Concepts that I fond.
Week 5
Dr. Yip reviewed and gave feedbacks on our mind-map individually and briefed us on constructing the design for Project 1. We were asked to construct a new blog for this new project and start our visual research and draw a few sketches as our idea explorations to allow Dr. Yip has a direction on what we going to portrait ourself. In addition, Dr. Yip did mentioned that self portrait could be different ideas and angles to look at ourself, someone or something else, which eventually not really have to portrait ourself. Furthermore, Dr. Yip does suggested us to limit one or two categories from our mindmap to have effective communication. Besides, consideration of the design principles that we had learnt from the past few weeks needed to be illustrate in this project too. Sexual, nudity and exposure design are not advised to create. Last, due to the mistakes that I had made in presenting my mind-map, I re-watch the pre-recorded lecture video and from there, I had learnt that the more you abstract, the more becomes you. I hope this words could help me in designing my self portrait.
Week 6
Today Dr. Yip wanted to discuss on our sketches and she had mentioned on
the deadline which is on next Friday. After that, she cleared some
confusion of some students such as every design/ artwork is in A4 margins
and the artwork must submit in JPEG along with the blog link according to
the required task. Dr. Yip also remind us on the application of design
principles learned in the previous task. She wants us to ensure the style
reflects on what we want to express and we need to relate the elements and
ideas that we included in our mind-map. Then she started to review our
blogs and give feedbacks. While reviewing my sketches, Dr. Yip introduce
and further guide on abstract art. Abstract is devoid of details, becomes
unrecognizable.
Abstract artwork/ design suggested :
- abstract expressionism (Joan Miro, Jackson Pollocks),
- naive art (looks more childlike, no definite style),
- Wassily Kandinsky (very abstract - minus until can’t see anything and German expressionism the blue rider),
- Dada art - a period of art where against the norm
Week 7
Dr. Yip remind us of Project 1: Self-Portrait's deadline and the
description, requirements and submission of the project, such as submit
our blog link and make sure is publish and submit our final design in
JPEG. In addition, she also announced that there are no class on next
week but we were allocated with new project 👉🏻 Sense of Place, and we need to do some preparation such as visual research and a few
sketches then discuss the following details on Week 9 during the
classes. Besides, blog for Project 2: Sense of Place must be prepared
and submit on Week 10. Then, she started to give review and feedback on
this project. At the end of the class, she wrapped up for this project.
TASKS
1. Small Recap on Project 1 Brief
This project 1 allows us to investigate both historical and contemporary
forms of self expression and also to review the design principles
covered and thus better inform their particular direction. We are also
now free to use any media and to even consider working 3D or digitally.
In addition, we are encourage to explore a range of possibilities and
are able to better determine an outcome through the critiques either
individually with the teachers and/or select students or with the class
as a whole. We also are encouraged to look both critically and
historically at the work of other designers and artists.
Aside from that, we are encouraged to contemplate on our life experiences,
which includes our culture, family, friends, schooldays, favourite
hangouts, favourite music, food, musician, etc. We need to observe our
surroundings such as people, vehicles, buildings, plants, signages,
nature, and activities and record these in sketches, photography and/or
video recording. Besides, we need to study all the visuals that we had
collected so we can have better understanding and apply it carefully and
nicely.
Below are the requirements that needed to include in this blog during the
whole semesters for exercises and projects, as stated in bold:
2. Design Process:
2.1 Visual References
2.1 Visual References
Figure 1.1 -
Colorful Woman Portrait Painting
(By Kotwdq)
Figure 1.3 - Portrait Painting
(by Rafael Silveira)
Figure 1.5 - Radial Self-Portrait
(by Shea Brook)
Figure 1.6 - Polygon Self Portrait
(by Weebly)
Figure 1.7 - The person is suffering from the inside.
(by HubPages)
Figure 1.8 - Pablo Picasso Drawings
(by KeyCreative)
Figure 1.9 - Flower Portrait
(by frombeewithlove)
Figure 1.10 -
The woman face is covered with flowers, adding characteristic and
personalities to this design. In addition, the collage art elevate the
attractiveness of the woman.
(by society6)
Figure 1.11 - Hiding initials to create self portrait.
(by
Pinterest)
Figure 1.13 -
Abstract Geometric, Cubist, Futurist and Bauhaus inspired David Bowie
Portrait
(by
Behance)
2.2 Idea Exploration and Description
- Mindmap
Figure 2.1 - First Attempt on doing Mind-map, Week 4 (21 Sept 2022)
Figure 2.2 - Second Attempt on organising Mind-map, Week 5 (28 Sept
2022)
- Draft
Week 5 (28 Sept 2022)
Figure 2.3 -
Perfume bottle become a part of the head illustrating my interest in
perfume and the other part using polygon art to illustrate the
different sides of me
Figure 2.4 -
My head will be placed on a table, and the robotic hand will be
surrounded me like they are assembling me. A scene from a movie called
Ultraviolet are my reference.
Figure 2.5 -
A side view of my face as a perfume bottle then the head is
illustrating my emotions and feeling.
Figure 2.6 -
The head is a perfume bottle (front view), then face is repetition of
words, flowing around my head.
Figure 2.7 -
Using my name to construct a face.
Figure 2.8 -
It is similar with Fig 2.4, but this design show a full body of
me, and the robotic hand is building me, a very futuristic kind of
idea. Then I also planned to add some stitching of skin onto the body,
illustrating the fragile of me, keep being repaired and healed.
- Sketches
Week 6 (05 Oct 2022)
Figure 2.9 - Sketches
Illustrating my interest on perfume and flowers
Description:
In both sketches, I had draw the outline of perfume bottle and
overlay it on top of the nose part, which mean half of the head on
the left will be the outline of perfume. To further elaborate,
although the perfume bottle will be overlay on top of the left part
of the face but we still able to see that the shadow/ impression of
the left-sided face. Same goes to the right side of the head, I want
to draw a bouquet of flower that is big and the colour used will be
more simple and clean yet is bright as compared to the left part of
the head, but that will create imbalance to the visual. Other than
that, I was trying to do polygon for the background with yellow-green colour
as I wanted to try this design while doing for Exercise 1, however
I also wondering whether a nude background will be more
suitable in this situation or not because the subject is too
fancy.
Symbol
- Perfume, I am afraid of the smell of my body as I sweat a lot, thus I always try to cover it with using perfume to neutralise my body smell. Although my friend smell nothing bad from me, but I just feel insecure when I was around them under the hot sun or walking to class.
- Flower, it represent the character of me, in wearing clothes that eye catching, stand out from the rest. I would say is not catchy or fashion in anyway, but if comparing myself with my male classmate, I think I kind of dress myself with different colour.
- Abstract, I found it pleasing to my style/ design, according to the materials (video), one of the interviewer said that the more we abstract, the more becomes us. I think it is true as no limits on drawing the eye, mouth and body, is up to ourself to decide what is the shapes of mouth and eyes or other things meant to us.
2.3 Final Outcome with Short Rationale
Figure 2.10
Final Design of Project 1: Self-Portrait, Week 7 (12 Oct 2022)
Mediums: Adobe
Illustrator and Procreate
Approach: A design that
expressing my sense of art.
Concept
Initially constructing these designs, I have no idea what element could be include to this sketch, I avoiding too much of the element from the mind-map as it will easily caused confusion to the entire design as I am not sensitive in expressing myself through designing. However, after several sketching, visual research and discussion with Dr. Yip on designing my self-portrait, I decided to incorporate my idea of the bottle as part of my entire head. Besides, I did apply abstract art (Fig 1.13) as my eyes, although it is not symmetrical balance as one is pointing downwards and the other are facing upward however, with the application of daisy flower as my eyeballs, I think it reduce the weirdness of the eyes.
Then for the nose, I had referred to Joan Miro's art. I think the nose is well-applied and important in this design as the eyes are already eye-catching and visually heavy then same goes to the thick and glossy lips thus, the a simple line in illustrating the nose kind of neutralise the entire design and give a space for people to view. Honestly, I did want to combine the nose and lips together, as the nose will be the cover of the perfume and the lips is the perfume bottles however, I had no special idea on connecting those part together thus, I give up on this idea.
Apart from that, for the cover of the perfume bottle, I had thought about putting my horoscope sign - Libra or maybe my zodiac sign - Horse, however I found it similar like Anna Sui's design. Besides, I consider the visual weight of the overall design. This is due to the eyes and mouth are playing a big role, thus a fancy perfume bottle cover might create chaos if the scale and proportion, space and colour used are not well-considered.
Last, for the background, Dr. Yip has suggested on a textured background, rough parer texture, grain however, I did wanted to try on something else so I used the features in Procreate to create my background and embed it into my Self-Portrait design. The background is giving a futuristic feel yet does not distract the attention from the head.
- Contrast: In colour, flowers
- Emphasis: Attention drawn to the eyes (flower) as it is coloured in white and yellow.
- Balance: Asymmetrical Balance, side to side or up to down
- Harmony and Unity: Colours, contrast and style go together, everything is cohesive.
- Texture: Random Square Cluster
- Space: Negative space (face silhouette)
- Movement: The eyes creates movement, from left to right
- Repetition: The flowers
2.4 Feedback given by the lecturer
Week 5
- It is more likely to be considered as a collage work rather than a mind-map as it does not categories properly and description are not given, thus by referring to the images only, audience will be misled by merely the images shown and translate to whatever they think of it. Besides, I am advised to refer to my peers' mind-map arrangements to have better understanding on the task given. An improved version of mind-map is required for Dr. Yip to review and give guidance on the final design for this project.
Week 6
- Dr. Yip gave compliments on the new mind-map as there is description provided, thus the message can convey accurately. I am required to add description with specific description (describe the aspects I want to show).
- For Idea 1, I am advised to use gestalt theory to help me , my body can be formed by the perfume shape itself , corporate the facial expression / features on the cover of the perfume.
-
Idea 2, plain or textured background is recommended as the
subject is the point and it will be very messy to have polygon art as
background thus keep it clean.
Week 7
- the perfume side of face could illustrate the other part of me maybe confidence
- the composition of feather leads to confusion as the perfume side should show the fancy part of me however I arrange it on the other side where it should be simple as it showing the go to school kind of look
- advised to change to a not so edgy (rectangle/ square) perfume bottle
- my pre-final sketch need to be well-considered again as it speaks a lot about balance
2.5 Reflection on the particular
week
Week 5
In the beginning, I have sufficient confidence on this project. However,
information collected is not well-organised, thus the task (mind-map)
given, have been done wrongly. After received feedback, I calm myself down
and discover more of myself and the Self-Portrait I want to create for
this project, thus I decided to make a huge alterations on my mind-map. In
the new mind-map, it was more organise as it was come with description and
images as visual supports. In the new mind-map, I tried to include things/
elements that I felt that is more applicable and more helpful.
Week 6
I am feeling anxious while waiting for feedback, don't
know whether is what had happened on last week due to my mind-map or
whether is the lack of confidence of my sketch to final design. After
discuss my concepts and receive several options on enhancing my
design for self-portrait, I brainstorming on how to apply/ combine
the ideas onto my sketch #2. In addition, I am happy that after last week
disaster of my mind-map, I still able to follow the pace of the
class.
Week 7
The progress is slower down, I was stuck at constructing the face as it
will create imbalance, so much information and there are so many solutions
fly across my head. After discussion on the construction of my pre-final
design, I got new ideas for my final design and I done it very quickly as
the elements and composition are clear. After I had completed my design, I
had shown it to my friends and family and I am glad that they like it.
During the journey of designing my Self-Portrait, I am glad that I did a
good research on myself thus I did not have much obstacles in completing
this project. Besides, I was happy that Dr. Yip like my design as I am not
confidence with my design. Thus, her recognition is really important to me
to have the courage to create.
QUICK LINKS
Exercises: Elements & Principles of Design
Final Project:
Visual Analysis
