Tag: PROCESS

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project 3: The Impossibilities Of Being (Process)

COMPONENT 1: VISUAL SEQUENCE

CHOSEN LOCATION: ***MENTAL HOSPITAL***

TEST SHOTS FROM CHANGI GENERAL HOSPITAL

Went to CGH to check out the location for filming.

 

INSPIRATION OF IDEA

 

For my chosen location, I’ve decided to pick MENTAL HOSPITAL because I was inspired by my friend. When he was admitted into a mental institution, he was telling me about one of his bunk mates who thinks that he’s in heaven because everything is white, people are taking care of him and that’s the simple joy in life that he wanted. He’s always shouting, “Hallelujah, thank you Jesus for bringing me into heaven” however, he’s cursing at the others that they will go to hell. So I’ve decided that my approach for this concept to be a mental hospital being a safe haven to the protagonist.

 

PROCESS –

 

FIRST DRAFT: INITIAL HI-FI STORYBOARD

FIRST DRAFT: INITIAL SOUNDSCAPE

LAYERED SOUNDSCAPE USING GARAGEBAND

Problems with GarageBand: Transitioning of sounds and lack of experience using this software

 

FEEDBACK FROM PROF SERENA AFTER CONSULTATION:

  • Happy music should be cut down and the loud thud should come faster
  • Slicing sound effect should be sharper and louder
  • Transition sound effects properly
  • Use non-diegetic to combine flow as background (Not pleasant sound but it flows)
  • The footsteps should be more amplified and dramatic to show how sensitive the sound is to the protagonist

 

IMPROVEMENTS OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ CONCEPT

 

IMPROVED HI-FI STORYBOARD

SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’

The majority of the sounds are recorded by myself using Zoom H4N Recorder as shown above in the graph table.

Cited sounds:

EMOTIONAL GRAPH OF SOUNDSCAPE OF ‘SAFE HAVEN’ 

SERENE + HEAVENLY (mind state of protagonist) —> THRILL & SUSPENSE (finding out the location of the protagonist whereabouts –> PSYCHOTIC FEELING (when you find out she’s a mental patient)

 

PROCESS: VIDEO + SOUNDSCAPE

Filming experience:

Filming and directing was fun because I get to direct my sister to act out the scenes I’ve had in mind and thinking of ways to make the visuals better together with the soundscape.

Low budget filming cast:

My little sister – Mental patient; Protagonist

Me – Doctor, Family member

 

Editing of visual and soundscape on Premiere Pro:

Both soundscape and video are editing using Premiere Pro as I was familiar using this software (:

 

FINAL OUTCOME OF VIDEO & SOUNDSCAPE OF SAFE HAVEN (MENTAL HOSPITAL)

Project 1: Picture Story – Curating Self (Process, Concepts & Test Shots)

For this project, I wanted to challenge myself to tell my story, be comfortable and as candid as Nan Goldin to show certain sides of me and how I came to be the person I am today. During the process of this project, I pushed myself to come up with interesting concepts using various techniques such as the use of semiotics, denotation and connotation, play with contrasting elements such as the value of darkness, the meaning behind the concept and mood of the setting. My goal is to send out an impactful message while telling my life story to my peers.

The photos are taken on iPhone 8+ and Olympus DSLR camera.

 

 Look at me now… 

Process of Component 1: Me

Planning of concepts for Component 1: Me

 

Experimentation of Concept 1 – “Stoic Sculpture” :

Artist Reference: Alex Maeda

I was inspired by Alex Maeda’s style of making humans and living spaces into 2D. The concept of painting myself is really interesting and I want to see how it can add value to convey the meaning behind my concept which is my achievements and struggles.

Selected Test Shots for Concept 1 – “Stoic Sculpture” :

These are the test shots selected for review and I experimented with various shots and angles to find out which framing will be able to convey the narrative behind the concept the best.

Selected photo is the fifth photo with medium close up taken at a high angle because it shows a sense of vulnerability.

 

Experimentation of Concept 2 – “I can’t be fucked anymore” :

For one of the concepts for component 1, I wanted to send out an impactful message about a pivotal moment in my life. I was figuring out on how to do it and I got inspired by Jayde Tan when I was browsing through our local photographer’s Instagram page. I explored with my body to show vulnerability yet convey a message on my bare back.

Selected Test Shots for Concept 2 – “I can’t be fucked anymore” :

For this concept, I experimented with long shot, medium shot and medium close up. The third test shot is selected because it focuses on the impactful message as well as the red silk robe which signifies pride. It’s taken from a low angle to show that I’m in control and suits the narrative.

 

Experimentation & Selected Test Shots for Concept 3 – “Carefree – I do what I want” :

I experimented with various part of my room and tried of different expressions and gestures to convey the feeling of being a carefree person without any care in the world. The selected test shot is the fourth photo because the background is white and my expression is suitable.

Artist Reference: UglyWorldWide – You Can Do It

I was inspired by Uglyworldwide because she tends to convey her mood by doing quirky makeup on her face and I incorporated this style into my concept because it gives off a carefree vibe.

 

 Searching for happiness

Process of Component 2: My Object

Process of Planning Component 2: My Object

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 1 – “Windmill of Happiness” :

I tried using lighting to achieve a reflection effect but in the end, I chose test shot 4 because I realised I should keep it simple because happiness to me is about enjoying the simple things in life.

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 2 – “Existential Crisis” :

To show the contrast between depression and happiness, I have chosen the second photo because it’s more interactive and it has more contrasting element of the childlike innocence and hope for happiness, and the smoke which is the will to survive.

Framing for Concept 2 – “Existential Crisis” :

For the chosen photo, during the review of test shots, Prof Serena asked to focus on one object so it’s not confusing. Hence, I cropped away the cigarette in the original photo and frame it to be a medium shot so it focus on the details of the emphasis which is the vibrant rainbow windmill and the smoke. In addition, I did colour correcting to make the colour more blueish to make it gloomy.

This made me realised how framing will immediately zoom into the main point of the narrative and less is more.

 

Brandon Woelfel’s artwork (Processed with VSCO with e8 preset)

I was inspired by Brandon Woelfel’s way of using colour smoke grenade to add vibrancy into his photos. However, instead of using vibrancy, I want to incorporate smoke in a depressing way to have a conflicting effect with the vibrant rainbow windmill.

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 3 – “A reminder…” :

The process of capturing this concept is really tedious because I had to use a tripod, timer and blow the windmill at the same time. It took quite a long time because I wanted to achieve a medium shot at an eye level with a white background.

I was in dilemma to pick between the second and the third photo but I’ve chosen the third photo because the facial expression is more intense even though it was a mistake to have my head cropped out. Also, after consulting with my classmates and friends, they said the second photo is a bit too boring and there’s no emphasis compared to the third photo.

Framing for Concept 3 – “A reminder…” :

For the framing for this photo concept, I’ve framed it to be medium close up to focus on the details of the rotating windmill and the intense look from my facial expression. My aim was focus on the main emphasis of the story which is eyeing on my future happiness despite my struggling situation. Hence, I decided to edit the colour tone of the photo to have a blue hue.

Other rejected test shots for Component 2 – My Object:

Experimented various angles and shots of me interacting with my rainbow windmill but it’s not really impactful compared to the selected test shots. However, being able to try out different shots, knowing how to pose even though it’s weird doing it by myself was a fun experience. Thank god, I’m shameless and I didn’t mind people watching me do my project alone:

 

 Daddy is gone…

Process of Component 3: My World

Process of Planning Component 3: My World

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 1 – “Gone…” :

For the concept, I took wide shots to show the environment of my world with my younger self with the windmill in it. My focus was to place contrasting visuals between my sad self and the vibrancy of the playground. I tried to play around with the infrastructure available to express the pang of sadness of receiving the news by using the railings of the playground to show that my life is ruined like how people will get a black mark in their records when they enter prison. (Leaving a scar in my life)

I’ve chosen the second photo because the environment of the location I wanted to showcase is really obvious and the feelings I wanted to express is really suitable and child-like for the narrative.

 

Framing for Concept 1 – “Gone…” :

For the framing of this photo concept, I decided to use Rule of Thirds to crop the photo to put emphasis on me crouching down, hugging my knees. I wanted to showcase how the playground it’s a happy place for the people around me in the photo but how I’m unhappy about the tragic news using a blue hue for the mood at that exact happy location.

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 2 – “Taken away” :

To convey the cause of how my dad passed away, I tried placing the windmill and the beer bottle using the Rule of Thirds and decided to use the third photo. I prefer the long shot of the photo with the kid facing away from the camera in the background.

 

Selected Test Shots for Concept 3 – “The beginning of my downhill” :

To convey the message that my life is scarred for life and it went downhill, I tried experimenting using different poses and angles. The chosen photo is the fifth one because it places emphasis on how my life went downhill since I’m sitting on the slide. The medium close up shot focuses on the bloody hands and how broken I am from the body gesture.

 

Framing for Concept 3 – “The beginning of my downhill” :

For the chosen photo, to amplify the depressing mood, I colour corrected the photo to have more cool tones so the red bloody  will stand out more

 

Other rejected test shots for Component 3 – My World:

These are the rejected test shots because it doesn’t fit the narrative or capture the location of the environment well.

 

DIFFICULTIES:

  • It was really tough managing everything by myself from using the camera, tripod, timer as well as, trying to pose in time to capture the right moment.
  • Figuring out the concepts and planning out the shots and framing is tedious and enjoyable at the same time.

This project has equipped me with useful skills that I could use in future projects or any concepts that I’m planning to do.