Project 3 EGO: Development & Final

 

This final post on Project 3, Ego In Different Settings, will conclude my journey of semester one’s foundation 2D 🙁 .

 

Brief Overall Concept

My overall take on this project includes negativeness and its influences on positiveness as well as the other way around. I have employed the elongation of arms in at least one of my images within each equation. The use of nature motifs such as plants, flowers, and rocks are also apparent in each of my panels to represent the mood that is being portrayed in each panel. All images have been made with no use of outline. I decided to stick with one color theory for each differing equation, allowing there to be consistency between the ‘me’, ‘setting’ and ‘solution/effect’. Various amounts of each color is used within each panel to see the differing result in flow across the equation.

 

The medium used for Project 3’s Ego In Different Settings is Adobe Photoshop with the use of the brush tool.

 

To find out more about my research on color theory and artist reference, feel free to check out my other post right here 🙂

 

 

In this post, I will include the following as mentioned below:

 

Visual Brainstorming Sketches (from Visual Journal)

 

Equation 1

| Image 1, 2 & 3 |

– Introduction & reasoning of color choice & play

– Concept & meaning

 

Equation 2

| Image 1, 2 & 3 |

– Introduction & reasoning of color choice & play

– Concept & meaning

– Development

 

Equation 3

 | Image 1, 2 & 3 |

– Introduction & reasoning of color choice & play

– Concept & meaning

 

Equation 4

| Image 1, 2 & 3 |

– Introduction & reasoning of color choice & play

– Concept & meaning

 

Images of Presentation on Critique Day

– With Sticky Notes + Without

 

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Visual Brainstorming Sketches (from Visual Journal)

 

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Equation 1

Initial Ideation + Brainstorming Session

 

Equation 1: Final Outcome

 

 

Overarching Idea & Concept

For equation 1, I wanted to portray the negative effect on positiveness. The color scheme used for this equation is complementary hues with the colors being orange and blue while also incorporating monochromatic shades and tints of those colors. The overall equation will be explained in detail part by part as seen below. I wanted there to be a major contrast between the two colors displayed to demonstrate how the negative effect has overwhelmed the initial positiveness that takes place at the very beginning.

This equation tells about how my personal comfort zone is burst at the end due to the over intrusion of outgoing strangers during first encounters.

 

IMAGE 1

In my personal comfort zone

In this first image of equation 1, I decided to employ a bright orange hue that encompasses the entire background to demonstrate the warm and cozy feeling resulted within me when I am in my own comfort zone with no intrusion at all. The hints of blue used are brighter in nature to demonstrate a sense of lightheartedness and tranquility in comparison to the blue used in the last panel which I will explain later on. In comparison to the orange, very little blue is used here in this composition. Books and music make up what I usually do in my free time introducing calmness and relaxation. The blue top is spotted with orange dots showing sparks of warmth. The background is overlaid with healthy plant branches and leaves while the plants and flowers surrounding me, sprout upwards in liveliness. Here, the elongation of arms wrapping around this flowerpot body of mine emphasizes more upon the flowerpot as my home and how I am rather protective of this comfort and the feeling of being at home. The welcome mat lying underneath and the furry bedroom slippers rested against the flowerpot adds a humorous touch to the entire composition.

 

IMAGE 2

First encounters with outgoing strangers

In this second image of equation 1, the effect of negativeness starts to noticeably take place. A lighter shade of blue encompasses the overall composition as the background instead. The orange stripes worn by the paralleled and towering strangers are now seen as threatening instead in comparison to providing comfort. In the previous image, the feeling of warmness could be seen through the usage of orange dots but the feeling is now reversed through the differing shape it now takes on. The strangers are towering over the girl which is supposed to represent me, showing their dominance and power that they hold over me. I seem intimidated and confused due to the difference in scale. The strangers are exactly identical in appearance to demonstrate their commonality with one another as opposed to myself; showing how I do not fit into the equation or the group. The faded appearance in the leaf motifs in the background symbolise wilting leaves and how my personal opinions feel threatened in a sense in opposition to the outgoing strangers’. Here, less orange is used while more blue is starting to creep into the equation.

 

IMAGE 3

Feeling uncomfortable with an invasion of privacy

In this third image of equation 1, an obvious turn of events has occurred. A deep sea of blue encompasses the entire background, showing how my personal bubble of comfort has been burst due to intrusion of overwhelming outgoing ideas by people who I have only met for the first time. Branches with no life held within them are imbedded in the background demonstrating solemnity and a lack of hope left. I am now blended with the background through the similar tints and shades that my clothing share with it. My hands are no longer elongated while holding onto the flower pot to show that it is now not important for me to hold onto my own personal bubble since it has now been burst open. My emotions are now open for the world to see through the bright orange light emitting through the blue space but even so, they are dying while lacking confidence through the imagery of wilting plants and flowers. My face is also no longer shown, displaying a sense of shyness and cowardice.

 

Equation 2

Initial Ideation + Brainstorming Session

 

Equation 2: Final Outcome

 

Overarching Idea & Concept

For equation 2, I wanted to portray the overwhelming stress I feel whenever I have piles of work charging my way. Through such stressful times, I often find my way towards completing all my work through a simple solution; a warm drink to comfort my mind and put it at ease while staying motivated to continue working with a better level of productivity. A triadic color scheme of red, blue and yellow with monochromatic tints and shades of the same mentioned hues were used within this equation which will be explained as to why later on. Here, we start of being within a negative situation and later transitioning to the positive side of things.

 

IMAGE 1

Work overload promotes feelings of anxiety

In image 1 of equation 2, a lighter tint of red is used to demonstrate a stressful event I am being held captive in. Rocks with sharp edges are used within the background here to show the painfulness of the stress I am going through. The little girl, representing me, is also minuscule in size in comparison to the stack of books she is lying against and is towering over her. Here, blue symbolising tranquility, peace and relaxation is not seen as much within this composition due to the overwhelming workload stress. The hand supporting the pile of books is dressed in a darker shade of red stripes, demonstrating the jarring mood. Also, yellow accents/highlights are drawn on all of the books to show their demand to be completed.

 

Before Development to Triadic – [Complementary: Red & Blue]

Books are not highlighted by strikes of yellow, making them look less daunting.

 

 

IMAGE 2

Warm drinks as stress relievers

In image 2 of equation 2, there is a balance of red and blue. A light shade of blue encompasses the color of the teacup here to show a ‘taste’ of relief and relaxation. It is within this composition that we see the elongation of longer arms used again to emphasise something; the desire or need for this warm cup of drink. I dip and lay myself within this teacup pool of coffee where it is obvious I am more at ease as one of my hands is laying on the rim of the cup. In this composition, red in the background demonstrates a strengthened motivation to continue on despite the stressfulness of constant work. The leaves in the background are more natural to emphasise more upon this calmness while moving onwards. Bright red stripes suddenly form on my shirt, showing how my motivation has jumpstarted or kicked off to a whole new level. Yellow accents are used in the swirl of the coffee, depicting that ‘special spice’ towards the mundane and repetitive lifestyle.

 

Before Development to Triadic – [Complementary: Red & Blue]

There wasn’t an elongation of arms previously, making the art direction appear odd overall when looking at all 12 images altogether.

Yellow accents are also not apparent within the coffee, making it lack a sense of specialness.

 

IMAGE 3

Motivated through stress

Through image 3 of equation 2, we can see a huge transition from reds to blue. The bright and happy shade of blue taking over most of the composition is used to demonstrate a calm state at mind. Here, yellow accents are used on the red rim of the glasses worn and also within the brown hair to contrast them and act as lightning bolts, symbolising more productivity, efficiency and quickness at work. Red is kept as the glasses’ rim color as it is the color of energy, demonstrating how my eyes are drilled towards one task as written within the lens; to work. The statement ‘work’ is repeated numerous times in the background as well as the glasses’ lens to demonstrate that one goal I am setting my mind towards achieving.

 

Before Development to Triadic – [Complementary: Red & Blue]

Yellow accents disappear from glasses’ rim and hair.

 

Equation 3

Initial Ideation + Brainstorming Session

 

Equation 3: Final Outcome

 

Overarching Idea & Concept

For equation 3, negativeness is first seen which positiveness replaces at the very end. I wanted to portray the importance of friendship and how it has the power to turn one’s entire mood around even if we were having a downer day initially. The complementary color scheme of pinks and blue-greens as well as their monochromatic shades and tints were used for this equation to establish this contrast of loneliness (blue-greens) at the very beginning and the positive vibe of excitement and euphoria (pinks) after hanging out with your best friend.

 

IMAGE 1

Days when tiredness & loneliness suddenly overwhelm

In image 1 of equation 3, blue-greens can be seen to dominate most of the composition. The figure on the right side represents me and the feeling of drowsiness I appear to be experiencing since I seem to blend into the sad looking background. The figure is dressed in apparels of monochromatic tints and shadows of blue-greens to encompass this feeling of sadness. The lighter pink tinted rock symbolises positive energy creeping in with the left side growing with healthy and fruitful plants of shades and tints of more pink. The composition is purposefully split in such a manner. The ferns in the background show a sense of emptiness through the many holes dotted in its leaves.

 

IMAGE 2

Hangouts with the BFF (Best Friend Forever)

In image 2 of equation 3, I tried my best in relating the appearance of the figures to my best friend and I. She is currently residing in Shanghai, back where I used to live and study at an International school. Alice had that uneven fringed haircut which always almost touched her eyes and covered her eyebrows from the world. Sometimes I would unexpectedly lift Alice’s fringe up which always surprised her. She would then shake her head crazily, trying to get her fringe back into place. We had the best memories. A lighter tint of pink now make up most of the composition, engulfing the greens almost completely. This represents the happiness starting to take effect and creep into both of our lives in a sense. What we initially felt, feelings of blue-greens or loneliness, start to diminish as specks of pinks start to dot the apparel we were wearing. The nature motif used in the background here are seeds, representing the growth of trust and excitement taking place. They all point towards the two best friends hugging it out to give the composition a central focus. They engulf one another in love through the elongation of arms wrapping around each other repeatedly as also seen in the previous two equations as well.

 

IMAGE 3

Sense of Euphoria

In image 3 of equation 3, I wanted to visually display the feeling of home and at the same time, how your best friend makes you feel like they are your world. Here, the two people appear to look like one another, showing how they share the same attributes and ideals and allowing them to match well with one another. Their arms link to one another with no end, like a constant circle of life. They support one another through ups and downs as seen through one person holding the other up. The circle is also representative of the world as a motif. Inside this circular motif, there is a central focus; a house. This hints towards ideas of being at home when around your best friend. You are comfortable enough to act like your weird self without having to feel judged for a second because you know she understands you. Here, a darker shade of pink overwhelm the composition and makes up for most of it in contrast to the lighter tints of greens, showing how it is about to be replaced. The color shows the intensity of euphoria experienced throughout. The flower motif is representative of the idea of an explosion; an explosion of bits and pieces of happiness within our hearts. The specific type of flower itself is also well known for making wishes upon it, representative of my wants to head back to shanghai and repeat all those memories I had with my best friend just last year.

 

Equation 4

Initial Ideation + Brainstorming Session

 

Equation 4: Final Outcome

 

Overarching Idea & Concept

In this last composition, a split complementary color scheme was used. The colors; mauves, yellows and greens, alongside its monochromatic tints and shades were used throughout the entire equation. Yellow being a sense of adventure, green establishing nature and purple being the worries of risk taking place throughout it all. Here, positiveness of hoping for adventure is affected by the negative energy of overthinking which eventually stops me from being outgoing and exploring newer options.

 

IMAGE 1

Urge for Adventure

In image 1 of this last composition, yellow overwhelms most of it throughout as opposed to the purples. This color signifies adventure and outgoingness which is what I usually feel at the very beginning whenever the thought of trying out something new first strikes me. Hints of purple start to creep into the lively nature of what I perceive to be my ‘ideal adventure land’ as well as the hiking hat I would probably wear. The green serves as an accent to demonstrate nature in a sense throughout all these other artificial colors. This panel gives the viewer’s eyes a sense of lightness and boldness at the same time. The plant motif in the background is quite lively in a sense, showing how the urge for adventure is still relatively strong in this particular panel.

 

IMAGE 2

Burdensome worries of risk taking place

In this panel of the final composition, a lighter tint of purple creeps in, in replacement of the yellow which was originally within the first panel, making this quite a transition. Purple stripes decorating the figure’s top threaten to replace the positive going vibe that she is walking around and holding onto. The flowerpot of plants become burdensome for her and symbolises the stresses she has to carry around. The heaviness of this burden is too much as hinted by the elongated arms wrapping around the flowerpot repetitively. The plant motifs within the background symbolise the feeling of being trapped through the way they are shaped. It seems as though all the worries are trapped within each capsule.

 

IMAGE 3

Inability to explore new things

In this last panel of the final equation, it is obvious that the negative energy of a darker purple shade has completely replaced the initial adventurous vibe, yellow, which was previously going through my mind. Wilting branches overtake the background and seem to creep in around the snow globe which is the central focus of the entire composition. Here, the snow globe is representative of the idea of wishing upon something in order for it to come true. However, we can see that the ‘new adventure land’ is trapped within the snow globe. Inside, plants and branches are dying and wilting from the worries that have overtaken the easy-going me. The hill, tinted with a light yellow, is representative of a hope that is now far, far away and long gone. A glass bottle with a ship trapped inside symbolises the trapping of someone from exploring new lands out at sea. The water inside the ship glass bottle was obtained from its original sea waters but helplessly removed from its natural habitat. Similarly, outgoing me is helplessly removed from my natural state of seeking adventure and am now trapped within this snow globe. The only areas now consisting of yellow would be the bottom of the snow globe as well as the ship’s glass bottle cock. Both act as entrances to the objects they are holding captive but they also acquire the ability to trap.

 

 

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Images of Presentation on Critique Day

 

Without sticky notes

 

With sticky notes

 

 

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Reflection

Even though we had very little time to accomplish this task which required more work in comparison to the previous two projects, this was probably my favourite one as thus far 🙂 . Here, instead of being restricted to abstract expression or collage art by using specific elements we were previously instructed to do so, I had way too much freedom which really made me question my art direction with this since I wanted to make this worth while. Making sure my styles were consistent throughout as I kept progressing on kept me worried at times but it eventually worked out after all. I am hoping to enter visual communication as my preferred major so hopefully all works out well :O .

All in all, it was a great semester in Foundation 2D and thank you Joy for making it worthwhile!

 

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