Design Principles ✦Project 1: Self-Portrait✦
WEEK 4 - WEEK 7
✦Ariel Chin Bei Yi 0343651✦
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✦INSTRUCTIONS✦
✦1.0 SMALL RECAP✦
After the completion of the
first assignment for the Design Principles modules, we immediately start the following
assignment during week 4. The second assignment is titled Self-portrait in
which we are required to create a self-representation in the form of a drawing,
painting, sculpture or design which is a visual depiction of the self.
Everyone views themselves
differently in which how they see themselves, what are they feeling and how
they want to be seen by others. For a self-portrait, some may literally create a
drawing of themselves while some may represent themselves with colour or any other
elements significant to their lives. However, it does not matter what design you create as long as you are able to express yourself through it. Therefore, we are required to create
something through self-exploration, hence, a self-portrait.
✦2.0 DESIGN PROCESS✦
2.1 Visual References
I have thought about the biggest influence to me in starting art is through looking at the beautiful pieces created by the artists that I look up to. Hence, I have compiled my favourite pieces by each of my role models as references as they contributed greatly as an inspiration
which helped me in developing my own personal art style.
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| Figure 1: Colour Girl by Mika Pikazo on Pixiv |
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| Figure 2: Fog by LAM on Pixiv |
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| Figure 3: MuDan persona by Fuwa on Twitter |
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| Figure 4: Re-Imagine by Yuumei |
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| Figure 5: Better Tomorrow by Yuumei |
I have taken some photos
about the things that I held closely to in order to inspire me during the
drafting process. I used pictures I took during lab sessions to represent my
major, which is Bachelor in Science (hons) Food Science. I also took pictures
of my workspace as well as my favourite plushies just to remind myself about
who I am.
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| Figure 6: Laboratory photos by Ariel |
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| Figure 7: Personal Art Workspace by Ariel |
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| Figure 8: Plush collection full of aquatic animals |
2.2 Idea Exploration
We are required
to create a mind map based on elements representing ourselves through
self-discovery. Hence, the mind map would aid us in drafting out a clear idea
for our self-portrait.
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| Figure 8: Mind map of my own characteristics. |
Based on my mind
map, initially I chose to create my self-portrait using my passion as the main theme. I
drafted out several drawings and chose based on which draft may showcase my own
unique art style the most.
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| Figure 9: Thumbnailing process |
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| Figure 10: First draft with a scientist painting using paint from conical flasks and beakers |
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| Figure 11: Second draft with a different perspective |
However, I was
not satisfied with all the sketches so I went back to square one and thought of
another prompt. I realized that my passion is not the only thing that represents myself. I noticed I based most of my art on either traditional clothing
or aquatic creatures. Hence, I sketched another draft with that idea in mind.
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| Figure 12: Thumbnailing process for new idea |
The drafts were created with the Design Principles in mind. I have paid attention to the Design Principles that I have found most suitable for my Self-Portrait, which are emphasis, balance and movement. I used the colours and the placements of the elements to achieve the chosen principles.
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| Figure 12: Third draft using another prompt |
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| Figure 13: Refining of draft and testing of colours |
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| Figure 13: Initial final product before editing. |
Miss Yip pointed
out that a blue background would be better to represent the underwater setting
as a black background make it seem like an outer space setting which is not
what I intended to do.
2.3 Final Outcome with Rationale
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| Figure 2: Self-Portrait, A Fishy Artist |
My self-portrait
was based on elements that I chose which represented me the best. The character
with the fish head is a representation of me. Since I was young, I have loved the ocean and oceanic
creatures which may be mainly driven by my parent’s fishpond that I loved during
my childhood. Fishes can be seen in many of my drawings to the point in which it
has become a signature of myself. The character is also wearing an outfit
inspired by the Chinese traditional HanFu. This is to represent my love for
traditional outfits because traditional clothing are so unique in a way that it
can be continuously modernized but still retain that antique accent to it.
The character
can also be seen to be painting a blue sky on a canvas. This action shows my
passion for art. Although my initial idea was to mix both science and arts into
one piece, I decided to focus on one element instead to prevent
overcomplicating the overall visual of the portrait. The blue sky is a
background element that I used several times during the first assignment as
well as my personal artworks, hence, I felt that it is fitting to be the
picture that represents my personal art style.
I was satisfied
with the final outcome as I utilized the Design Principles learnt at the start
of the semester. Emphasis can be seen with the warm colours of the character
and cool colours of the background which represents underwater. Movement is my
favourite principle because they bring life to an art piece, hence, I added a flow to the skirt of my character to make the effect of a person floating in
water. The action of movement is further enhanced by the surrounding bubbles. Repetition
can also be seen by the repeating bubbles. Furthermore, I have applied the principle
of balance in my artwork. In my opinion, balance is one of the most important
principles as it has the most influence in creating an overall image that will
be satisfying at first glance enhancing the aesthetic visual of an image. I
balanced the image by placing my character on the right balanced by the canvas
on the left. The surrounding bubbles also further improve the balance of the
final result.
2.4 Lecturer’s Feedback
During the
evaluation of the initial drafts, I have stated that I decided to scratch my
original idea which use my passion for science and arts as the main element of
my self-portrait and replace it with a new theme utilizing my love for aquatic
animals and traditional clothing. Miss Yip have given suggestions to reapply
the idea of science and arts prompt into the latest draft. I could add a tray
of test tubes and beaker that holds paints beside the main character of the art
work. I considered this suggestion and made some adjustments to the current
draft by adding another element, however, I felt that the artwork looks too
complicated with too many elements cluttered around. Hence, I continued
developing my draft and further refine it.
The second evaluation is based on the product which was close to completion. Miss Yip have commended on the character and how it exhibits self-expression well. She also pointed out the design principles which was accurate to what I have chosen. However, she made some suggestions to change the background of the art work and use back the original idea of the blue colour. She stated that the black background that I chose made it look more like outer space instead of in the ocean. I agreed with the statement and decided to make another attempt in creating a blue background with water ripples. After a few adjustments, I was glad that I challenged the water-like background as I was more satisfied with the final outcome.
2.5 Weekly Reflection
Week 4
This week marks
the end of the first assignment of the module, Exercises in which we are
required to create 5 designs based on the selected design principles. After the
completion of the first assignment for the Design Principles modules, we
immediately start the second assignment during week 4. Miss Yip briefed the
class regarding the second assignment. We are required to create a design
revolving self-expression within 4 weeks. Since there is plenty of time
compared to the first assignment in which we need to create 5 designs, I could spend
more time in project planning. I spent this first week creating a mind map
which expresses myself. I brainstormed on the significant things in my life
that aided me in self-development and listed them down. Thus, I have a clear
idea on how to start my artwork.
Week 5
After the
evaluation with Miss Yip during the live lecture, I have started thinking on
how to apply self-representation in the form of a self-portrait. My initial
idea was to combine both my passion in science and arts and make an
illustration. However, the sketches I have created was not satisfying. I
decided to clear my mind and think of other ideas that would also represent me.
Hence, I came up with a new prompt using elements that I like, in which I utilized
my love for traditional clothing and aquatic creatures. I created a satisfying draft
which made me decide to go along with the new idea.
Week 6
This week I have
further developed the draft in order to start making some progress in the final
illustration. I have improved my sketches by taking into considerations the
suggestions given by the lecturer during class and made some minor adjustments.
After the finalization of the draft, I did some refining and utilized my
knowledge in colour theory to decide on suitable colours that represent my favourite
colours while complementing each other well. My schedule started getting really
packed when week 6 started as this time of the semester is where students start
bustling around on assignments and reports. Although I had many tasks to
complete, I managed my time properly and had sufficient amount of time to
carefully complete my self-portrait.
Week 7
Week 7 marks the
deadline for the second assignment of the Design Principles modules, Project 1:
Self-Portrait. This assignment was challenging in the sense that I have realized
that I actually do not know myself that well. The mind map that was required to
be created at the start of the assignment greatly aided me in self-discovery
which is an important aspect in illustrating a self-portrait. I have
continuously referred to the mind map to see what kind of elements I can add to
improve the representation of myself in a single piece of artwork. This also
acts as a revision to the Design Principles previously learnt in which I could apply
the principles to improve the overall visual of the final outcome. Hence, I
have learnt a lot about my likes, dislikes and personality through the
self-discovery process in order to express myself well during the illustration
of my personal self-portrait.
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