2D Foundation Project 2: Forest Gump

Quote 1: “Sorry, Love. Gotta save the world.” – Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Research

For this quote I want to express the idea of how heroes have no time for romance. I visualize a  scene whereby the hero is busy saving the world while his/her lover is left feeling neglected. I wanted to express this quote in a comical style because I felt like the movie itself was actually very quirky and lighthearted.

Composition Experimentation

I positioned the city in between two hands. These hand’s symbolize the lovers reaching out for each other while the city gets in the way. The center of the composition shows the city overlapping the face of the girl slightly, this shows us that the hero might prioritize saving the city a little more than his relationship. The city is threatened by an impending explosion as seen in the picture through the text “BOOM” and a countdown timer in the city’s silhouette. The city can also be seen crumbling through the jagged edges along its base.

Principles of Design

  1. Asymmetry in the arrangement
  2. Continuity: The hands reaching out for each other creates a leading line that directs  viewer’s attention
  3. Gestalt Theory: The use of many simple and contrasting elements. The law of closure is applied in the word “BOOM” and the number “28:08”
  4. Repetition: Dotted background
  5. Balance: Elements evenly spread

Quote 2: “Ready your breakfast and eat hearty for tonight WE DINE IN HELL!” – 300 (2006)

Research

Composition Experimentation

To me, this quote symbolize an oncoming bloodshed and war that will result in countless deaths. Therefore, I want to stylize my designs to express gruesomeness and darkness through death.

Initial Version

The picture shows several morbid skulls and splashes of blood revealing the aftermath of war. The picture also spots several flying bats which represent darkness. There is a gravestone in the center of the picture placed above a tomb which is a human organ. This re-emphasizes death and the gruesomeness of war.

Final Version

As the first composition was too messy and possibly overwhelming to its viewer, I have recreated a more focused composition.

This picture works along a similar idea of violence and death, this can be seen from the cross tombstones erected around the earth. The earth has become a giant cemetery as a result of bloodshed and even it’s trees can be seen as barren and withered. The bats fluttering around once again represents the darkness. The center of the picture focuses on a dead man, with a gaping mouth and fangs behind him. This means the man has been consumed by death and evil.

Principles of Design

  1. Asymmetry in the arrangement
  2. 3D effect in 2D space: Separation of foreground and background
  3. Variety of elements
  4. Balance in composition

Quote 3:  “One Last Ride.” – Furious 7 (2015)

Research

For this quote I wanted to show a final epic journey and its finish line. I also wish to  express the idea of to moving on and liberation in death.

Composition Experimentation

Initial Version

The composition consists of a roller coaster with many ups and downs, this symbolizes the journey.  There is also a finishing line flag to show that the journey have reached the end. Many birds can be seen flying along the picture, they represent freedom in the final journey and even in death. The island symbolizes paradise and comfort upon death.

Final Version

For the initial composition, there was no flow in the elements. Therefore, in the final composition I retained most of the elements (Roller coaster, Birds, Finishing Flag) but changed their arrangement.

I added a White Chrysanthemum flower that is known to be used for the passing of loved ones .  The elements flow in sequence to tell a story of an epic journey. The journey finally reaches an end and death ensues. 


Principles of Design

  1. Asymmetry in the arrangement
  2. Contrasting scale of the elements
  3. Visual hierarchy
  4. Visual tension created using the flying birds
  5. Balance in composition

Quote 4: “It’s the honest ones you can’t trust.” – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Research

For this quote I wanted to express the concept of deception and hidden agenda.

Composition Experimentation

Initial Version

Contrasting elements such as a bouquet of flowers and a dagger were used in the composition. The dagger was hidden behind the flowers, seemingly innocent and a hand was holding out the flowers as if offering it to someone as a gift.

I also decided to depict the flower vase as a light bulb and show a few moths surging towards it. This was inspired by the phrase “like a moth to a flame” which meant that one was irresistibly attracted to something or someone dangerous.  This phrase came about from a well known fact that moths are attracted to bright lights and sometimes they get burned from the heat. This symbolizes that what seems to be harmless and good might not necessary be.

Final Version

I decided that the initial design is a bit right-heavy.  Therefore i shifted the whole composition to the left to create more balance between various elements.

Principles of Design

  1. Symmetry in the arrangement
  2. Contrast between the background and foreground
  3. Variety of elements and values
  4. Balance in composition
  5. Visual tension creating from the flying moth and the falling confetti

Choosing a Design for Silk Screen Priniting

After much consideration, I have decided on the design that depicts the quote “Sorry, Love. Gotta save the world.” because I felt like there is more dynamics in this composition as compared to the others. It also has a very clean cut design that is suitable for silkscreen printing.

Silk Screen Printing Process

  1. Lay the transparency on top of the screen
  2. Coat the screen with a photosensitive emulsion
  3. Wait for the screen to dry and placed it on the vacuum light table and exposed with a 3000 watt metal halide light
  4. Washed out with a pressure washer at around 1300 psi.
  5. The image will now appear on the screen
  6. Place the screen onto the surface you want your “reproduced” image to appear
  7. Apply ink

Silk Screen Printing Result

Design on screen

Design on newsprint

Design on tote bag (YAYYYYYYY!)

Overall, I had a lot of fun doing this project! I got to learn more about Photoshop, silk screen printing and the principles of design. For me, the hardest part was to find my own interpretation of the quote and breaking it down into visual elements, because I tend to get influenced by the story of the whole movie. I also faced many challenges in the technical aspect of this project as I am not very proficient in Photoshop. But I think that all these challenges are what made us learn and progress. Looking forward to the next project!

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