Month: February 2019

IMAGE MAKING THROUGH TYPE – PROCESS

PROCESS

PROCESS – CLOWN

ANIMATED PROGRESS:

 

FIRST DEVELOPMENT:

An initial idea of the typeface I’ve in mind: San Serif which incorporates the rounded feature of a balloon, rubbery and dirty textured to show the dual reality of a creepy clown with whimsical and vibrant colors.

FIRST CONSULTATION WITH MIMI:

  • Try to maintain the bouncy and rounded aspect of the font

SECOND DEVELOPMENT:

For this draft, my concept was a creepy clown typeface being deflated and the air leaving is the souls of crying kids. The elements used for this typeface is the rubbery and smooth texture of a balloon with deconstructed elements of a clown such as its iconic red nose and confetti in the background. 

SECOND CONSULTATION WITH MIMI & PEERS:

  • Couldn’t tell it’s related to clowns
  • The spirit of the children looks like a sperm.
  • Try to focus on the elements of being a clown

THIRD DEVELOPMENT:

Rough sketch of a depressed clown

 

I’ve decided to change from a creepy clown to a depressed clown to emphasize the dual reality of being a clown whereby despite wearing vibrant and joyful colors, the clown is feeling otherwise emotionally (contrast). After consulting Mimi and my peers, I was having a mind block and decided to research and breakdown the elements of being a clown. 

I realized what makes a clown are their makeup which consists of Bauhaus’ geometric shapes and colors, their facial expression and their custome which creates their identity. To regain my motivation, I’ve decided to do this typeface by putting on makeup which I enjoy and recreating the desired rounded and bouncy font with the elements of being a clown on my face as a canvas and editing the overall composition on Photoshop afterward. 

APPLICATION OF MAKEUP:

For the letter ‘S’ –

The typeface with the letter ‘S’ is rounded and red in color. Addition elements such as a blue lip and yellow circles are included because a clown’s makeup incorporates the Bauhaus’ geometric shapes and colors.

For the letter ‘K’ –

For the letter, ‘K’ has the same rounded typeface and it’s green in color. The red triangular shape and the magenta lips help emphasize the form of the letter. For the cheeks, there are two magenta circles and brown tears to evoke the feeling of depression and sadness.

For the letter ‘R’ –

For the letter, ‘R’, the rounded typeface is blue in color. Colors such as blue, red(eyebrows, tears, and lips), and green (circles on the cheek) are used.

 

RAW IMAGES & EDITING OF PHOTOS:

Edited using Meitu and Photoshop to touch up (increase saturation and contrast).

Letter ‘S’ :

Letter ‘K’ :

Letter ‘R’ :

 

FOURTH DEVELOPMENT:

An arrangement of the clowns and typeface:

For this process, I was experimenting with different typeface clowns which is suitable to evoke the concept of the dual reality of a depressed clown. I’ve decided to choose a black background in contrast with the vibrant and lively typeface clowns with depressing facial expression.

 

Addition of texture and lines for the background:

For the background, I added a variety of thin lines because it suggests pain, agony, and frailty as it appears to break easily. In addition, a white textured pattern behind the typeface clowns so it wouldn’t blend into the background.

 

Addition of shadows around the clown to focus on the typeface:

Shadows around the typeface clowns

To focus on the letters of the typeface, I’ve added a drop shadow around it to create a similar effect of lighting on an art piece in a museum.

 

Addition of confetti:

The last development stage in this design process, I’ve added red, yellow and blue confetti which is one of the props to end off a clown’s performance. Hence, I’m using this to harmonize the typeface clown (foreground) together with the black textured background.

 

 

PROCESS – DRUG DEALER

 

ANIMATED PROGRESS:

 

FIRST DEVELOPMENT:

A rough initial idea of the typeface I’ve in mind: San Serif (Rounded & Blocky style like pills) with a powdered textured font. The background will be the effect of consuming drugs which will be a double vision or psychedelic effect. 

FIRST CONSULTATION WITH MIMI:

  • focus on dealing with drugs
  • stacks of cash or coins

SECOND DEVELOPMENT:

For my first draft, I wanted my font to be made up of a juxtaposition of the exchange of drugs and money. The theme is farming; planting of drugs onto the human skin in exchange for money as a drug lord. Overall vibe will be the contrast of job, and colours (Base colour of font; Skin – Beige vs Money – Light green) and Objects (Tractor – Blue vs. Coin – Yellow). In addition, I applied the ‘Rhythm’ and ‘Movement’ to emphasize the flow on my typeface. 

SECOND CONSULTATION WITH MIMI & PEERS:

  • Increase the size of the coins to make it more obvious
  • Increase the thickness of the form of the font to make it stand out
  • Change the background to focus on the exchange of drugs and money between humans

THIRD DEVELOPMENT:

For the development of this draft, I increased the thickness of the form of the changed the background to human skin. To manipulate and add texture to the background of the typeface, I musk the images of the human skin and textured road above onto a beige solid background. Using plastic wrap and paint daubs effect on Illustrator.

 

Experimenting with the textures of the letter ‘S’ – Human and ‘K’ and ‘R’ – Cash with the transparency and colors to see which is suitable for my concept. In addition, I was figuring how to arrange the drugs in a pill or powdered form.

 

Increased the size of the coins and arranged it in a messy way instead of a neat and clean style as a semiotic that this drug dealer job is not a ‘clean’ and respectable job. 

 

For this development, I’ve decided to use a variety of drugs pilled up together and being left in a trail after the tractor lawned on the human skin. I had a dilemma whether to place the drugs on the skin or implanted in the skin. My final decision is implanting the pills in the human skin and you can see the layer of skin above which emphasizes on consuming the drugs. 

 

Lastly, for the background, I’ve added the bruising of injecting the drugs into our body to create depth for the overall look of the typographic portrait. Personally, I love the concept of the font replicating the grass being lawned as the movement of the font and the juxtaposition of the colors and idea for the exchange of drugs and money as a drug dealer. 

 

PROCESS – SOFT TOY SURGEON

ANIMATED PROGRESS:

FIRST DEVELOPMENT:

Initially, my job was a serial killer and I’ve decided to change to a soft toy serial killer. I wanted my typeface to give off a childish and innocent vibe with the psychotic characteristics of being a serial killer.

The concept behind this typeface is using a variety of soft toy fabric as the skin and its guts (cotton) are in the base of the composition. The font of my typeface is serif, similar to the children’s alphabet block toys. I have intentions of using certain parts of the fabric as the decorative part of the font. In addition, I wanted each letter to be hanging on a noose as if it’s the victim of the serial killer. Tools and equipment used are attached to the typeface for context.

FIRST CONSULTATION WITH MIMI & PEERS:

  • Try using the analog method instead of digital
  • Change job name from Soft Toy Serial Killer to Soft Toy Surgeon.

SECOND DEVELOPMENT:

I’ve decided to change the layout of the concept I have in mind. Removing the noose and focusing on being a soft toy surgeon. The composition will be a reconstructed soft toy typeface surrounded by cotton (its guts) against a white backdrop to show cleanliness and professionalism of a surgeon’s workplace with tools used in the foreground. The technique and method I’ll be using to create this typeface will be sewing and digital enhancement.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS USED FOR SEWING:

Glue, scissors, stapler, needle & sewing thread

 

MUTILATING THE SOFT TOY INTO DIFFERENT PARTS:

Personally, deconstructing and mutilating the soft toy physically was therapeutic and I was excited to construct it into the serif typeface font that I have in mind. Orange, Brown & Blue soft toys are used because they’re complementary colors that are vibrant and it will stand out against the white backdrop. I’ve kept the cotton filling of the soft toys to represent the guts for the later process of the composition. In addition, I want the texture of the font to be soft and furry.

PLANNING OF RECONSTRUCTION WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF SOFT TOY:

 

RECONSTRUCTING EACH LETTER INTO THE DESIRED TYPEFACE:

 

FINAL OUTCOME OF TYPEFACE AFTER SEWING

 

After sewing and reconstructed the mutilated soft toy as a surgeon, I’m satisfied with the outcome but I’ll be editing and using Photoshop to make the typeface more legible. In addition, I tried to incorporate different parts of the soft toy to add the decorative tail of the serif font. 

 

CREATING BACKDROP AND LIGHTING FOR THIS TYPEFACE COMPOSITION:

To ensure that I’ll get the highest quality and ability to capture the texture of the typeface I’ve created by hand, I used a lamp and a white backdrop. My aim after this photoshoot was to emphasize the texture of the typeface in a white clean-cut workplace of a soft toy surgeon. 

 

RAW IMAGES FROM THE PHOTO SHOOT:

During the photo shoot, I’ve decided to add the sewing thread which is one of the tools to create a visual path of how the fonts are supposed to be read but I’ve decided to remove and do it digitally. The soft and furry textured typeface is supported by its cotton fillings (its guts). I experimented with the positioning and arrangement of the letters and decided to choose the fourth image.

THIRD DEVELOPMENT – DIGITALLY USING PHOTOSHOP:

During the digital editing, I reduce the saturation of the backdrop to make it as white with blue hues so the emphasis will be on the textured typeface. I increased the contrast of the typeface so its texture will stand out against the backdrop and our eyes will automatically look at the font. To create context about my job scope, I’ve added incision marks which are used during the process of reconstructing, to create the visual path. In addition, a sewing needle, thread, and scissors are added in the foreground amidst the white and clean workplace. All in all, I was satisfied with the outcome of the typographic portrait and I did a few adjustments to the typeface to ensure each letter are legible. 

 

 

PROCESS – CANNIBAL SUSHI CHEF

ANIMATED PROGRESS:

FIRST DEVELOPMENT:

For the composition of this typeface, I wanted to the form of the typeface of human sushi to be an isometric view so viewers are able to see the details of the deconstructed elements. This typographic view is created on Procreate as a digital painting. 

 

Visual assistance using figure mannequin

 

Inspired by our in-class assignment (pareidolia) and the curves of the human body, I’ve decided to create the typeface for this job to be about the human body parts and its curves (san-serif). To help with the positioning and forming the font of my typeface, I used a figure mannequin for visual assistance. The colors used for this typeface are analogous such as red, beige and brown to give off a humanistic vibe. 

 

SECOND DEVELOPMENT:

After consulting with my peers, they suggested that I should remove the outline of each typeface so it’s more realistic. ‘S’; it is made up of two human bodies being contorted to form the letter. First ‘I’; the body being slashed by a cannibal with a bloody indentation to create a similar look of salmon sashimi. ‘T’; it is made of a human body being strapped down by a layer of hair and the private part is covered by a human head as a joke. For the second ‘I’; I created a row of human heads with a circular shape. Also, I added shadows and drop shadows onto the human sushi typeface. The typeface is mainly made up of deconstructed elements of the human body parts such as the body, head, blood, and hair. 

 

THIRD DEVELOPMENT:

CREATING THE TEXTURE OF THE CHOPPING BOARD

To emulate the Japanese restaurant ‘zen’ feel, I’ve decided to make the whole composition using earthy colors, wood and incorporating minimalism. I used the wooden brush texture on Procreate to create the texture of the plate to display our typeface.

 

The foreground of the composition consists of excess human body parts being slashed up with a knife for context. Besides the plate, there’s a blood sauce as a condiment. In addition, to communicate visually to the audience about my job, I’ve added a hand adding decorations on the typeface human sushi for context. All the different variety of human elements and objects creates harmony to tell the narrative of my job scope.  

FOURTH DEVELOPMENT:

For the background, to strongly emulate the ‘zen’ and minimalistic restaurant vibe, I used the earthy colors and wooden planks which are usually seen in a Japanese place. In a Japanese restaurant, the owners tend to place white menu signs on the walls to inform their customers about their ingredients. Inspired by this fact, I’ve added characters on the signs saying ‘Human meat is delicious’ as the menu sign for my restaurant as a cannibal chef (:

 

 

 

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT

WEEK 1 – PAREIDOLIA

Objective: Create a series of photographs of objects or scenery that looks like the 26 letters in the alphabets around ADM. 

Pareidolia – A psychological phenomenon that causes people to see patterns in a random stimulus. This often leads to people assigning human characteristics to objects.

To view the picture above in better quality: PAREIDOLIA by Brian & Siti G06-compressed 

 

WEEK 3 – TRACE 3 LETTERS INTO A NEW COMPOSITION (INSPIRED BY CUBISM)

SELECTED LETTERS (S,K,R):

CUBISM – S
CUBISM – K
CUBISM – R

 

 

Link to proceed to the Final Outcome – Image Making Through Type.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGE MAKING THROUGH TYPE – RESEARCH

UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECT

From the start of this project, I knew I wanted to challenge myself to create typographic portraits for my future jobs in analog and digital methods. Considering aspects such as the choice of typeface, color scheme, layout and how I’m going to harmonize all the deconstructed elements of my job into my artwork during the design process is going to be a tedious yet, fruitful journey. My end goal for this project is to create each artwork with engaging typography and a narrative to communicate my job to people visually.



 For my job scope for this assignment, I’ve decided to choose unconventional jobs that spark curiosity and unrealistic to be one in my current life as of now. I’ll be researching the characteristics of the jobs above, creating my own interpretation of it and adding my style into the artwork to make the process meaningful and engaging.

 

RESEARCH – TYPOGRAPHY

Source of screenshot image: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=typography&rs=typed&term_meta[]=typography%7Ctyped 

Typography – the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. 

TYPES OF TYPOGRAPHY

 

RESEARCH – FUTURE JOBS

ROUGH SKETCHES:

Click on Image Gallery above to view rough sketches.

 

ROUGH SKETCH:

 

ROUGH SKETCHES:

Click on Image Gallery above to view rough sketches.


 Inspiration: Artist reference – Catallena by Orange Caramel (Music Video)

 ROUGH SKETCHES:

Click on Image Gallery above to view rough sketches.

 

 

Link to proceed to the Process – Image Making Through Type.

Assignment 2: Ideation – Gaming Controller

For Assignment 2, we had to produce 40 ideation sketches of our chosen object – gaming controller. Our objective was to break up the archetypal components of an object and reconstruct them into a new form.

CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Form
  • Placement of buttons (In the most natural & comfortable way)
  • Gripping of the gaming controller
  • User experience (how they approach the object)

INSPIRATION:

USER EXPERIENCE (GRIPPING/HANDLING THE OBJECT):

Using a plasticine sketch model to try various ways to approach and handle the object. 

 IDEATION:

TAKEAWAYS:

Personally, it was really difficult to break away from archetype of the gaming controller and reconstructing the object into a new form. However, after noting down the essential parts of the gaming console (power button, led lights, joystick, and gamepad), it made the ideation process easier. Using inspiration from my surroundings and objects in our everyday life, I tried to incorporate the form and details of the objects into my ideation process. 

For my ideation, I wanted to make sure that the reconstruction of the gaming controller will still be organic while incorporating some curve lines. ‘Archetype’ and ‘Reconstruction’ was the main keywords and objective for this assignment. Overall, this process was challenging but I’ve learned to be avant-garde and try to come up with ideation that is not in the market as of now. 

Assignment 1: Visualization – Scale Drawing

We were tasked to produce a scale drawing of a household object in 3rd angle projection views, isometric view and 2 point perspective view. For my chosen object, I’ve decided to choose a gaming console to challenge myself in terms of technical drawing of curves and making it proportional.

DIFFICULTIES

Actual measurements of the gaming console on a rough sketch
  • The gaming console is an organic shape which is made made of mainly curves. It was quite tedious measuring the actual product accurately. For the scale drawing, I had to create points in order to form the curve as accurate as possible. It was challenging but it was a good practice for me to draw more organic shapes.
  • Scaling down the actual measurement to 0.9 was really difficult and I had to do a rough sketch to jot down the measurements so I’m able to produce a proper scale drawing for the assignment. 

TAKEAWAY

  • Using an isometric paper really helped a lot to make it look proportional. However, I felt that my iso view could be better with more practice.
  • Initially, my 2 point perspective drawing was a little bit out of proportion and I was frustrated with trying to make it look decent. After numerous attempts and sticking to what I learnt about referencing to the 2 vanishing point, the outcome was good to me.
  • For this assignment, it made me focused on the technical skills. In addition, accuracy is essential in order for the product to look proportional. This made me appreciate the invention of 3D modelling softwares because personally, I feel that it is far more accurate than orthographic views drawn by hand.

Micro-Project 3: Together Split

 

https://vimeo.com/316642795 (Please click this link if video shown above isn’t playing)

Group members: Desiree, Fenella, Tong Tong and I

OUR PROJECT

Our concept was a collaborative performance to recreate a music video of “Take On You” by a-ha, using Instagram’s Split Screen Video Group Chat Feature. 

The objective of this project is to create a third body whereas each screen interacts with one another by creating a connection through choreographing a pattern of movements and gestures with 4 members. Despite being displaced physically, we had to be connected on a third space executing the choreography as coherent as possible according to the beat and rhythm of the soundtrack.

Basically, we’re like the beta version of Poreotics, a dance group that uses tutting; a dance style which are based on angular movements which involves intricate movements of the fingers and body parts to create a pattern according to the lyrics or rhythm of the music. What makes us different is we’re an amateur performance group that uses subpar tutting skills IN A THIRD SPACE. Bammmmm!!! <3  

LOCATION

It was performed on the second floor of the ADM building in different locations.

PROCESS

Initially, we thought it would be easier to plan the execution of the performance according to the beat and rhythm of the soundtrack. Little did we know that perception of time is different to everyone and people who are musically challenged like me ): However, it was a helpful tool as a non-verbal cue for us to begin and continue with the next movement in our performance despite being displaced physically. 

The sequence of our performance:

  • Typing “LET’S DO IT” in the group chat to inform the other members to get ready. 
  • Bobbing of heads
  • Zooming in and out of our faces
  • Snapping of fingers with half our faces connected to the other screen to form a one whole face
  • Creating a pattern of continuous movement by moving our arms vertically, horizontally and diagonally interacting with different frames such as connecting one’s arm to one’s hand to create a whole arm in two screens.
  • Heart shape
  • Thumbs up to end the video

OUTCOME

The difficulties we’ve experienced doing this project are execution, scalability and framework, disconnection and lastly, the shortcoming of recording our performance.

  • EXECUTION: 

The execution of the performance was really challenging because we had to figure how to use the terminal, choreography our movements according to the soundtrack and practise to perfect the movements in order to produce a good quality work. In addition, we had another issue with each member’s perception of time hence, we spent quite some time to synchronise according to the exact beat after discussing that we should follow Tong Tong’s rhythm. We had to record our performance a few times but we managed to produce one with a decent outcome with the objective we had in mind. 

  • SCALABILITY AND FRAMEWORK

This was another factor that affected the accuracy and synchronization of our movements because it was hard to judge how far our face should be from the screen and we had to roughly estimate ourselves in order to link up with the member on the other screen. It was really tedious because we can only perfect it the best we could within the amount of practise we could afford at that timing. 

  • DISCONNECTION

Another issue that we faced was disconnection and lagging due to our Wifi network. Whenever there’s a disconnection and someone left the group chat due to the network problem, it will change the orientation of the framework. Hence, we had to switch phones to make it easier for us because we had already planned out which frame each member should be in. In addition, during the final recording, one of our member’s phone is lagging and it affected the quality of the performance. 

  • SHORTCOMING OF RECORDING OUR PERFORMANCE

Not everyone has the same placement of the framework of each member on the platform. I was the one screen-recording the performance so I had to lay out the perimeters and give directions to ensure that our movements and scale appear similar to one another. Also, the screen recording on the latest iOS version on the iPhone doesn’t record audio. Hence, we had to play the music and the recorded performance during the presentation. 

The overall experience of this micro-project was enjoyable and we were happy with results of the outcome even though it could be better if we were given more time. It is essential to make sure everyone have the same perception of time and accurate scale of the proportion of their body to the screen. The outcome of this project is really dependent on our communication skills as a team and dealing with the uncontrollable circumstances of using a platform that relies on Wifi. All in all, we made the best we could with the duration given to us to complete this project and we are satisfied! 

Oh yeah, I think it would be super cool if Poreotics did own rendition of performing in a third space with their awesome tutting dance style. I bet it will be go viral as compared to ours!

“Which project did you feel you had the most creative control? Why?”

MICRO-PROJECT 1: CREATING THE THE THIRD SPACE. I had the creative freedom to curate my posts according to the direction I have in mind and set a mellow theme. There’s no restrictions regarding the quality and quantity of the photographs. Hence, I was able to manipulate the images by adding filters which assisted in evoking emotions, to create my series of significant places in ADM on a virtual space. Due to the ability and power to edit as a creator on the platform, I had the ability to manipulate the engagement and interaction by deleting responses that aren’t relevant or blocking some words so it won’t appear on the comments section. Overall, as a DIY and DIWO project, my work added value to the collective artworks on the platform with my definition of a significant place in ADM. However, I had no control in terms of the overall look of the third space (#1010adm) as a whole. It is an inclusive platform which allows people to participate and view artworks from different participants with different approach and theme of the topic given on the platform.

“Which project had the most unpredictable outcome? Why?”

MICRO-PROJECT 2: CROWDSOURCED ART. Personally, it was an eye-opening experience for me because the outcome of this project was highly dependent on the participants’ responses and how they interpreted the tasks given to them. As the project initiators, we laid out the perimeters and give a set of tasks for selected groups or individuals to do on Whatsapp. They were given the freedom to participate or ignore our request. Hence, we only had the creative control in the beginning with objectives of the project and planning. We had no control over the overall look and direction of the two collages which is dependent on the participants’ responses which are dynamic whenever another response is submitted. The outcome of the project will determine the success of the project on whether the participants are able to deliver what the creators had envisioned in the planning process or create an outcome that is even better. All in all, it was a challenging yet and an interesting take on allowing the participants to have control over the outcome of the project. Igniting our curiousity as the creators on how our project will turn out.

“Which project best illustrates the concepts of DIWO & Open–Source? Why?”

MICRO-PROJECT 1: CREATING THE THE THIRD SPACE. Despite physical distance being a boundary, all the participants are connected on a third space to collaborate and create our own representation of the significant places in ADM. #1010adm is hosted on Instagram which acts as public and virtual platform for unlimited possibilities and creations for anyone to participate or view which strongly resonates the open-source culture. As a collective, posting and curating this space with our work creates more exposure, engagement and responses as compared to an individual artist. Hence, it has a strong concept of DIWO by creating a platform which showcases different individuality and approach to the theme of the hashtag to make the project more impactful and reach out more to others with the following we have on social media.