- DIGITAL -
Photoshop and Illustrator
Week 5 and 6: Photoshop
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Book Research
Firstly for this project I went to the library to look at some books of posters, I found these books really helpful and I used them as an inspiration for the tests that I created later in the project.
Firstly for this project I went to the library to look at some books of posters, I found these books really helpful and I used them as an inspiration for the tests that I created later in the project.
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Artist Research
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I really like how the artwork of Simon Prades looks, it is so graphic and strong with a high level of contrast.
I know Tim Cantor's artwork from Imagine Dragons, I really love the way that the colours of this artwork looks it is really intriguing to me and keeps my attention.
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The artwork of Julian de Narvaez is very whimsical, the lighter colours make it look like it is almost traditional too.
Alphonse Mucha's artwork is very decorative and the colours are always very pretty together, I think this would be an interesting style to experiment within.
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The artwork of Android Jones is so detailed, the bright colours create really visually captivating images.
Colin Murdoch's style of digital art is very interesting because it is a nice blend of digital and the inspiration of traditional art. I also think the way he used colour is quite interesting.
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YouTube Tutorials
After I finished looking at books and artists, I then turned to practical tutorials that helped with the artwork I created within this project, these really helped me because I am not overly familiar with creating artwork entirely in photoshop as I normally just use it to edit my traditional artwork. I didn't end up using them all but I still put them here in case I want to use them in the future.
After I finished looking at books and artists, I then turned to practical tutorials that helped with the artwork I created within this project, these really helped me because I am not overly familiar with creating artwork entirely in photoshop as I normally just use it to edit my traditional artwork. I didn't end up using them all but I still put them here in case I want to use them in the future.
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My Ideas and Thumbnailing
I started this project by sketching my initial ideas and thumbnails, I ended up settling on the idea of the "deformed hand" being an android hand. It made complete sense with the "endless possibilities" as it refers to the scary almost boundless possibilities that the future of artificial intelligence could contain.
I started this project by sketching my initial ideas and thumbnails, I ended up settling on the idea of the "deformed hand" being an android hand. It made complete sense with the "endless possibilities" as it refers to the scary almost boundless possibilities that the future of artificial intelligence could contain.
Creating Textures
After Dwayne's lecture on Thursday I added to the collection of textures that I created, I had scanned in my collection of textures that I already have (the rainbow ones). Then I added to the collection using black ink, I ended up using these more than my other textures and I will store them now for use in the future.
After Dwayne's lecture on Thursday I added to the collection of textures that I created, I had scanned in my collection of textures that I already have (the rainbow ones). Then I added to the collection using black ink, I ended up using these more than my other textures and I will store them now for use in the future.
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Textured Paper
I used a painting that I created for the painting project in part one to test how a crumpled texture works on top of an already existing image. I really like how this turned out and I think I should keep this texture for further use in the future. This also showed me just how much I can do to to a piece of artwork using photoshop after I have scanned it in and opening it in photoshop.
I used a painting that I created for the painting project in part one to test how a crumpled texture works on top of an already existing image. I really like how this turned out and I think I should keep this texture for further use in the future. This also showed me just how much I can do to to a piece of artwork using photoshop after I have scanned it in and opening it in photoshop.
Testing Different Processes
I decided to create a few illustrations in photoshop just exploring the possibilities of different textures, brushes and effects, I overall ended up liking the printed hand poster however it didn't really fit with my idea of an android hand so I didn't chose that technique for the final poster. The poster on the left is inspired by the work of "Android Jones" is nowhere near as detailed however it was quite fun to just pick a collection of random things to draw and make a poster out of them. For the two on the right side my aim was to try out different brushes, for the head I used some acrylic brushes and for the eye I chose to use watercolour brushes. I like how both of these turned out too, but mostly I am just enjoying that this project is getting me to use photoshop in ways I haven't before.
I decided to create a few illustrations in photoshop just exploring the possibilities of different textures, brushes and effects, I overall ended up liking the printed hand poster however it didn't really fit with my idea of an android hand so I didn't chose that technique for the final poster. The poster on the left is inspired by the work of "Android Jones" is nowhere near as detailed however it was quite fun to just pick a collection of random things to draw and make a poster out of them. For the two on the right side my aim was to try out different brushes, for the head I used some acrylic brushes and for the eye I chose to use watercolour brushes. I like how both of these turned out too, but mostly I am just enjoying that this project is getting me to use photoshop in ways I haven't before.
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Here I followed a tutorial that taught me how to create an old money texture on pictures, I used two of my own photographs to experiment
with and I really like how they turned out. I didn't end up using this technique in my project more, however it was fun to play around with.
with and I really like how they turned out. I didn't end up using this technique in my project more, however it was fun to play around with.
Using Traditional Textures Digitally
For these two illustrations I started by creating pencil drawing by hand which I scanned in and opened in Photoshop. After I had scanned the images and cleaned them up a bit I worked into them using Photoshop brushes and blend tools to get a wash of colour, then I used the ink textures that I created earlier to bring these illustrations to life. I am really happy with how these two images turned out, I love that they are a fusion of traditional and digital. Also I liked this process much more than creating everything within Photoshop, this is the technique I chose for my final piece.
For these two illustrations I started by creating pencil drawing by hand which I scanned in and opened in Photoshop. After I had scanned the images and cleaned them up a bit I worked into them using Photoshop brushes and blend tools to get a wash of colour, then I used the ink textures that I created earlier to bring these illustrations to life. I am really happy with how these two images turned out, I love that they are a fusion of traditional and digital. Also I liked this process much more than creating everything within Photoshop, this is the technique I chose for my final piece.
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My Pencil Drawings
For two of my test and my final poster I created pencil drawings to work into, I really liked this process and it gave me the opportunity to do some drawing of animals again which made me very happy. Using pencil drawings with digital textures was the most fun thing that I experimented with within the photoshop project. The birds are also based on my own photographs.
For two of my test and my final poster I created pencil drawings to work into, I really liked this process and it gave me the opportunity to do some drawing of animals again which made me very happy. Using pencil drawings with digital textures was the most fun thing that I experimented with within the photoshop project. The birds are also based on my own photographs.
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Final Thumbnails and Poster Process
I was unsure about how I wanted my band poster to look, so I created some digital thumbnails. I chose to create the thumbnail in the bottom right hand corner as a larger poster. The process of creating the illustration part of the poster was quite enjoyable, however as usual I found adding text to be the real problem. In the end I was happy with how my text turned out however I would have really liked to get someone's opinion on it before deciding definitively. Unfortunately I was ill so I couldn't attend formative assessment for the digital projects, so I will just hope that the text is fine.
I was unsure about how I wanted my band poster to look, so I created some digital thumbnails. I chose to create the thumbnail in the bottom right hand corner as a larger poster. The process of creating the illustration part of the poster was quite enjoyable, however as usual I found adding text to be the real problem. In the end I was happy with how my text turned out however I would have really liked to get someone's opinion on it before deciding definitively. Unfortunately I was ill so I couldn't attend formative assessment for the digital projects, so I will just hope that the text is fine.
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Final Music Poster
This is the final gig poster that I created for my band that is called "The Boundless Possibilities of the Deformed Hand". I decided earlier in the project that I was going to try to portray an android (robot) hand doing something extraordinary like making a plant levitate. The floating plant is to show the contrast between natural and mechanical. I used textures to improve the overall appearance of my poster, my favourite bit is the swirls that I put on the yellow dots. I really liked how this turned out because it looks like stars or a worm hole and adds to the sci-fi atmosphere.
I decided the genre of this band is "Post Apocalyptic Rock" which I used to inspire my whole design, I actually think that my poster ended up looking a bit like a theatre poster but I do really like that because it gives my poster a more dramatic flare. After I completed my poster I edited it with a few filters to make it look more aged. |
Week 7 and 8: Illustrator
Quick Illustrator Task
On Thursday we were given the task of creating an image of a character within a short amount of time by Dwayne, I chose to try and create an image of Gollum. I really liked this task because it forced me to work to a time limit, however I think I did go too complicated with Gollum so I intend on trying to make my final pins less complicated as far as the colours go. After the task with Dwayne I tried to create a more simple duck design to see how it looked. I think overall the duck would make a better pin than Gollum because it would be clearer from further away.
On Thursday we were given the task of creating an image of a character within a short amount of time by Dwayne, I chose to try and create an image of Gollum. I really liked this task because it forced me to work to a time limit, however I think I did go too complicated with Gollum so I intend on trying to make my final pins less complicated as far as the colours go. After the task with Dwayne I tried to create a more simple duck design to see how it looked. I think overall the duck would make a better pin than Gollum because it would be clearer from further away.
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Sketched Character Ideas
To start off my project I sketched out character designs from three different franchises, I ended up picking to go with "How To Train Your Dragon" because I thought that it would be easier to create recognisable images based on the dragons. I also thought that it would be a successful set of badges that would be very appealing to children if they were actually made as real objects.
To start off my project I sketched out character designs from three different franchises, I ended up picking to go with "How To Train Your Dragon" because I thought that it would be easier to create recognisable images based on the dragons. I also thought that it would be a successful set of badges that would be very appealing to children if they were actually made as real objects.
Testing in Illustrator
I tried really hard to work on the enamel pin design entirely digitally, however I just don't like drawing straight on to the computer. I much prefer drawing on a piece of paper then scanning it in to trace over. However my favourite of the tests is the flying toothless that I made, I think the fact it only used three colours also helps it to stand out.
I tried really hard to work on the enamel pin design entirely digitally, however I just don't like drawing straight on to the computer. I much prefer drawing on a piece of paper then scanning it in to trace over. However my favourite of the tests is the flying toothless that I made, I think the fact it only used three colours also helps it to stand out.
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YouTube Tutorials I Used
These are the YouTube videos that I used within this project, I found I needed to search a lot of things during this project. I had no knowledge of Illustrator at the start of this project, so the fact that I can now open it without fear is progress for me. The creating pattern tutorial was the most fun for me, it is so addicting and it is the skill that I am most likely to use again.
These are the YouTube videos that I used within this project, I found I needed to search a lot of things during this project. I had no knowledge of Illustrator at the start of this project, so the fact that I can now open it without fear is progress for me. The creating pattern tutorial was the most fun for me, it is so addicting and it is the skill that I am most likely to use again.
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My Enamel Pins
To begin my badges I sketched out the designs of the five main dragons from "How To Train Your Dragon" I only ended up having the time to make three of the badges but I am still glad I sketched out the other two in case |I want to go back and make the other two in the future. Working on top of sketches really helped me, as I find drawing directly onto a screen difficult.
To begin my badges I sketched out the designs of the five main dragons from "How To Train Your Dragon" I only ended up having the time to make three of the badges but I am still glad I sketched out the other two in case |I want to go back and make the other two in the future. Working on top of sketches really helped me, as I find drawing directly onto a screen difficult.
The Process
I spent the longest amount of time on the "Toothless" pin because I used it as an opportunity to experiment a lot with the border and effects such as drop shadows. For the most part I used the brush tool to make my line art, I then grouped all of the brush strokes and make them into one object that could be coloured. I found the process of making the badges quite difficult overall, but I am glad that I persevered. I found the four pantone colour limit to be one of the most difficult things to deal with, but after a lot of trial and error I think that I managed to make the pins work. Additionally I chose very bright colours because I intended these designs to be appealing to children, I think this helped to make the dragons stand out.
I spent the longest amount of time on the "Toothless" pin because I used it as an opportunity to experiment a lot with the border and effects such as drop shadows. For the most part I used the brush tool to make my line art, I then grouped all of the brush strokes and make them into one object that could be coloured. I found the process of making the badges quite difficult overall, but I am glad that I persevered. I found the four pantone colour limit to be one of the most difficult things to deal with, but after a lot of trial and error I think that I managed to make the pins work. Additionally I chose very bright colours because I intended these designs to be appealing to children, I think this helped to make the dragons stand out.
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Pattern Creation
As part of my packaging design I decided that I wanted to have a border design that fit with the Viking patterns that are present in "How To Train Your Dragon". This was a very difficult process for me to get my head around initially, but now I have figured out how it works I find it very addictive and I could quite happily have spent the whole Illustrator project making patterned borders. This is something that I could actually see myself using illustrator for again. I am really proud about how they turned out, and I'm inspired to make more borders that would compliment my illustrations.
As part of my packaging design I decided that I wanted to have a border design that fit with the Viking patterns that are present in "How To Train Your Dragon". This was a very difficult process for me to get my head around initially, but now I have figured out how it works I find it very addictive and I could quite happily have spent the whole Illustrator project making patterned borders. This is something that I could actually see myself using illustrator for again. I am really proud about how they turned out, and I'm inspired to make more borders that would compliment my illustrations.
Logo Creation and Screenshot Progress
I found the logo creation one of the most difficult things to do for this project, I ended up using the maze design that I created but I am still not sure about it. I would have like some advice on it, but unfortunately I couldn't attend the formative assessment session because of illness. I actually prefer the look of the dragon egg overall, however when paired with text I think that the maze logo works best. Additionally I have included some progress screenshots to the side of my logo design, these are mainly to help me remember how these processes work in the future.
I found the logo creation one of the most difficult things to do for this project, I ended up using the maze design that I created but I am still not sure about it. I would have like some advice on it, but unfortunately I couldn't attend the formative assessment session because of illness. I actually prefer the look of the dragon egg overall, however when paired with text I think that the maze logo works best. Additionally I have included some progress screenshots to the side of my logo design, these are mainly to help me remember how these processes work in the future.
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Packaging Creation
My packaging creation was quite a simple process overall because I had an idea of how I wanted it to look in my head, and I have also pre-prepared all of the parts that I would need to create the packaging. I chose a dark blue black for my background because it worked well with each of the pins colour schemes, I also used a border around the edge to make the packaging darker towards the outer edge and lighter in the middle. I think this subtle detail helped to bring the backing card design to life.
My packaging creation was quite a simple process overall because I had an idea of how I wanted it to look in my head, and I have also pre-prepared all of the parts that I would need to create the packaging. I chose a dark blue black for my background because it worked well with each of the pins colour schemes, I also used a border around the edge to make the packaging darker towards the outer edge and lighter in the middle. I think this subtle detail helped to bring the backing card design to life.
My Final Set of Enamel Badges
This is my finished set of enamel pin designs. I think overall the colours in each of the designs work well together, while also expressing something of the personality of each of these dragons. I really like how the pattern I made works with my dragon pin designs, and the addition of the hole at the top for hanging in a shop really helps the backing card to look more accurate. I've created two versions of each pin one which is completely flat and one with a drop shadow effect which makes the enamel pins look a bit more life like.
I named the brand "Dragon Explorers" this is a reference to a "Dragons Race to the Edge" episode called the "Loyal Order of Ingerman" where the Dragon Riders teach a group of young children from Berk all about dragons. I thought that in the real world this could become a successful badge set, which could be accompanied by trading cards and books all with the purpose of bringing them into the world of "How To Train Your Dragon". I imagine this franchise would be like a mix of "Drake's Comprehensive compendium of Dragonology" and "Pokémon".
This is my finished set of enamel pin designs. I think overall the colours in each of the designs work well together, while also expressing something of the personality of each of these dragons. I really like how the pattern I made works with my dragon pin designs, and the addition of the hole at the top for hanging in a shop really helps the backing card to look more accurate. I've created two versions of each pin one which is completely flat and one with a drop shadow effect which makes the enamel pins look a bit more life like.
I named the brand "Dragon Explorers" this is a reference to a "Dragons Race to the Edge" episode called the "Loyal Order of Ingerman" where the Dragon Riders teach a group of young children from Berk all about dragons. I thought that in the real world this could become a successful badge set, which could be accompanied by trading cards and books all with the purpose of bringing them into the world of "How To Train Your Dragon". I imagine this franchise would be like a mix of "Drake's Comprehensive compendium of Dragonology" and "Pokémon".
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