Hi! Welcome to my final project of the sem – EGO.

For the upcoming panels, the chosen medium is Illustrative Digital-Collage, and the theme is Pop Art, with the improvisation of Painterly Technique that I employed in my design. In my opinion, I prefer processed images in comparison to realistic images as they lacked a touch of customisation. 

Inspired by the famous Andy Warhol pop art culture, I decided to reference his work and work out a concept that bears similar feel as to his art style.

To kickstart everything, let’s bring on the 4 equations!

PANEL 1: Analogous

This group of colors is soothing to the eyes and pleasing to look at! They sit side by side on the color wheel.

Rationale: In this scenario, it illustrates my love for chilli and how I absolutely cannot do without it in my daily meals. I am not even exaggerating. I would put a few spoonful of chilli padi into my soup, all the time okay. Since there is this pop art concept going on, all of the selected images will have to look like it comes straight out from an illustration/comic book so it ties in together seamlessly. Color plays a huge part in this as well. Instead of the typical loud colors that illustrators generally employ, I decided to go for muted tones – the dusty effect.

PANEL 2: Tetrad — a combination of four colors

A scheme that includes one primary and two complementary colors

Rationale: Fast Food restaurants are usually my go-to place when I am unsure of what to have for dinner. Mainly because its quick, convenient and it opens for 24 hours (Macs). This sequence represents my enthusiasm and love for burgers, especially when I am on an empty stomach. Similarly, the colors are all muted and the layers are texturized.

PANEL 3: Complimentary Colors

Opposite colors on the color wheel.

Rationale: Being the only child at home, I often find myself shut away in my room. At times, when I feel like I needed a listening ear, or at the very least, any form of comfort, I seek nature. Nature is my remedy, it takes away my trouble as I immerse the environment – so carefree and light. Most important, time slows down. Any form of urgency, deadlines seem to melt away as I fully surrender to comfort and control to my thoughts. How I wish nature was easily accessible, like having it right in front of my doorstep. In the current era, forested areas are limited and no longer as easily accessible as it used to.

PANEL 4: Complimentary Colors

Using blue and muted orange (dull brown) to create a tranquil impression

Rationale: I am almost always on my phone, whether if its social media or what’s app. I feel like I grew so overly reliant on my phone that I constantly find the need to keep up with what’s happening online. Hence, whenever my (problematic) phone gets buggy or malfunctions, a part of me dies. Like… What am I going to do now??? How can I avoid people whom I do not wish to strike a conversation with?? (I always pretend to be busy on my phone HAHA) This explains why I created this sequence.

3 Characteristic you’d notice:

• Muted colours
• Canvas texture overlay
• Constant stroke outline on each of the images

Building a Systematic and Consistent Pattern:

All the First panel: Very minimal elements, reduced down to a single vectored image and a color fill background. The main idea is to be straightforward as possible. The first panel will be the simplest among the 3 panels. (so as to balance everything out visually)

All the Second panel: This panel depicts scenarios/locations. It should look the most complex among the 3 panels. On top of that, a filtered illustration of myself will also appear recurringly across the equation.

All the Third panel: To balance out the visual weight for each of the equation, my last panel features yet another minimal approach so that there is ample amount of space to support the design. In this last concluding panel to the equation, I decided to inject some humour into this space. By adding an illustration of myself, it provides a more personal touch. (I feel. hehe) In the initial phase, my panels weren’t consistent. After my second consultation with Mimi, she encouraged that it is better if my panels have a uniform style across all given equations. I thought it made sense. (this is how I eventually settled with the design)

DECISION-MAKING:

Some consideration in terms of suitability of the frame. In order for a smoother flow, I checked to ensure that my design scheme is consistent throughout all the equations. As for the panels below, I actually prefer the top set better. However, in terms of keeping the theme in check, the second set works a lot better. So that it shall be!

Bettering my concept to suit the theme: initially, the consistency of my panels was not quite right. the first design also appeared to be a little cliche. One of my classmates suggested illustrating a burger as though I am wearing it. Thought that was super cool and went ahead with the execution.

How the photographs are processed: From realistic to painterly (gif)

My (very unorganized) working file:

Presentation Day! (The actual color of the artwork will be recorded on this OSS post! )

Oh and I swear Andy is my hamburger soulmate 🙂

 If you have come this far, I’d like to thank you for reading!!!

Will catch you soon! Ciaos.