ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE: TASK 01 CHARACTER DESIGN (week2-week4)

I LLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE: 

Task 01 - Character Design (week2 - week4)

NAME: Miao Xinjun

I.D: 0379525

COURSE: Illustration and Visual Narrative

SECTION: 1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document

2. Final Output

3. Techniques Applied

4. Self Reflection

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 1. DOCUMNENT- Moodboard, rationale, sketche

PDF:

JPEG:

• Character Design 1:

• Character Design 2:

Character Design 3:

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2. FINAL OUTPUT

• Character Design 1

• Character Design 2:

• Character Design 3:

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3. TECHNIQUES APPLIED

Task 1 (Week 2 - Week 3):

Week 2

The lecturer explained in detail the basic functions of Adobe Illustrator and the tools we’d need for creating line art, and demonstrated the steps and methods for using them.

• Create Line Art With Pen tool and Shape Builder:

Using the Pen Tool and Shape Builder Tool was the main focus of our week 2. We were taught how to use Adobe Illustrator to create line art for character designs—the first step in making a character design. After the lecturer demonstrated and explained tips for using these two tools, we practiced the Pen Tool through the Bezier game.

Link: https://bezier.method.ac/

• Detailing with Width Tool:

This is a tool that lets you easily and quickly adjust the length and width of shapes drawn with the Pen Tool.

Week 3

• Coloring Artwork with Live Paint Tool [K]:

After confirming the line art is complete and cleaned, we first copy the layer containing the line art and hide the top line art layer. Then, we select the entire bottom line art layer, click the Live Paint Tool, and can then choose colors to start coloring.

• Add Shadows and Highlights to The Colored Character:

Once coloring is finished, we need to create two new layers with different properties to add shadows and highlights.

Click on the circle icon to select all of the objects in "shadow"/ "highlight" layer > ( hide the line art layer and lock all the layers you don't need ) > take the Pen Tool and select colors to draw shadow/ highlight on the "shadow"/ "highlight" layer > Adjust the Opacity and mode.

• Quick Color Variations with ChatGPT:

It is a good way to have multiple color variations so I can choose which one is the best.

An Additional Technique That I Researched on My Own:

• How to change the color of a single color block individually or add a gradient effect to one specific color block alone without affecting other blocks after finishing Live Paint：

Click on the circle icon to select all of the objects in the "colour" layer > Find Object on the left > click "Expand" > "Ungroup" > Once you are done, click on the color block you want to change the color of individually, then select any color or add a gradient effect to edit the color block. 

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4. SELF REFLECTION

• While working on this assignment, my favorite part was creating the drafts. I found this to be the most creative and enjoyable segment—we got to look up various references and, based on our own ideas, craft three different characters. Their distinct personalities were brought out through different costumes and styles. What’s more, I believe drafting is an exercise that helps us better understand and solidify the theoretical knowledge about character design we learned in the lectures.

• Reflecting on this task, I realize I need to improve my ability to draw character costumes and accessories. Since my knowledge of clothing designs across different styles and types is limited, I had to dig up a lot of references and put in a great deal of effort to come up with creative concepts. I hope that through consistent practice, I’ll gain a deeper understanding of various clothing styles, enhance my skills in drawing costumes and accessories, and eventually be able to design pieces that are more creative and distinctive.