2D – Basics

2D project 2 – Rhymes.

At first, i thought that i will only need to do the Humpty Dumpty rhyme. So my first reaction is to check out what the rhyme is….

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again

so first thought is important and so i am going to elaborate it.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty is supposed to be an egg, so he sat on the wall.. but what is an egg doing on the wall? is he a young egg? teenage egg? adult egg or old egg?

Humpty dumpty could be an egg, or could be not an egg..

1 – if he is not an egg, then what is he? – old man? – some naughty boy who likes to climb walls?
2 – actually i think it would be better because humpty dumpty is depicted as an egg in our culture, so by using some “common sense” to make my message clearer.. atleast viewer wont go “where is your humpty dumpty in the picture”
3 – so if humpty dumpty is an egg, what is he like? i personally like to depict him as an old man. because the older they are, the more story could be told.
4 – an old egg. what kind of egg is he? i would like to have some sense of humor in the personality which are easily shown through a single picture, maybe a lecherous old egg? maybe something from 50 shade of grey? it will bring contrast to the story as it supposedly was an childhood rhyme, but bringing some adult thing into it makes it interesting.
5- so what is Humpty Dumpty doing on the wall? reading a book? escaping from something? peeping? yeah peeping might be a good one.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

so the common sense of this sentence is that humpty dumpty fell down from the wall. i think it is boring so instead of using the “fall” as in “falling down”… how about the “fall” as in “autumn”? just changing the different meaning of the same word will change the whole sentence.

Humpty Dumpty had a great Autumn.

how? how is great great? Great as in Awesome…. so how do i depict awesome? thinking of the back ground story of humpty dumpty – old lecherous egg, what will be awesome to him? the answer is clear.
something to do with maybe drugs? woman? 50 shade of grey(this project is in black and white so i think this will be quite nice)

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men.

Repetitive nature due to the King’s horses and King’s men
symmetry could be bought out using the repetitive pattern of the horses and men
high contrast will be a good way to show the difference between the subject and background.

This is when I knew that we are not bounded by only one rhyme, we could do all the rhymes and choose which is the best 4 among it.

so I approached this project differently, to see which sentence of the rhymes could be interesting and i could visualize the outcome of the sentence.. so out of the 12, I chose the following.

The cow jumped over the moon.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children, she didn’t know what to do;

She gave them some broth without any bread;

Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

I decided to work on photoshop and illustrator to see what i could do with them and edit it along the way

The cow jumped over the moon Version 1

Emphasis on the cow and the moon, with little detail other than the cow, the moon and some stars. high contrast of white with black to make the moon and cow stand out. straight forward idea with element of the picture centralized and in the box (no element is being cropped off)

The cow jumped over the moon Version 2

The main cow is being tilted to give a movement to it, again, no element is being cropped off from the picture and every thing is constrained by the box, however the cow is being duplicated to substitute the stars to make the composition more interesting.

The cow jumped over the moon Version 3Different approach, the main focus will be the cow where the head is in the middle of the picture, the moon is slightly cropped to shift the overall visual weight of the picture towards the middle. I like this composition however i could only choose four and this is my fifth.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

My first thought about this sentence was ” what was there other than an old woman? did she have a partner? perhaps an old man?”

the contrast of an old grumpy woman and a smiley old man could have a background story as usually shoes comes in a pair, and the personality of the old woman and the old man is a big contrast but placed side by side, in the same shoe. personally i think this is interesting.

She had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.The background of the picture is repeated pattern of a boy and a girl which colours are inverted, while the foreground of this picture shows a woman with a face without expression, centralized in the picture for a stable feel.

She gave them some broth without any bread V1

Repeated patterns of pots, bowls and some pans as background to bring out the implied lines of bread which symbolized that there are no bread present. the breads are also placed repetitively and in the center with different orientation for a slightly interesting composition, however in this, the bread is not clear.

She gave them some broth without any bread V2

To bring make the bread clearer, round circles are formed around the bread which i think the bread in this is too obvious and there is no implied lines anymore.. and after the consultation, maybe one bread at the center is better than 4 bread.

She gave them some broth without any bread V3

By retaining the four circles, the background was cleared but filled into the circles, the bread is still in the black circle because i like the contrast, however the blank bread is filled with the background but with lesser contrast.

She gave them some broth without any bread V4

The background tone was darken to bring the focus to the bread.

She gave them some broth without any bread V5- Final

Instead of an empty black circle to contrast the bread, a photo of a pan with vegetables are use for a human touch to make the picture warmer than just vector, this very well contrast with the vector background and i think this is much better than before. I like this composition and this will be chosen.

Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

Repeated patterns of beds are used while in the foreground, there is an action and diagonal lines used to make the composition more dynamic.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall V1

Humpty Dumpty in the picture is still and the woman in the picture is moving in direction towards the center and to the corner, repeated use of the woman is to balance out the weight of Humpty Dumpty as he is being cropped by the box and feels heavier, if only one woman was used, the picture will look heavier on the left.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall V2

HD in the previous composition is not dark enough and blend into the background, therefore contrast is increased to make HD pop out. I like this composition and therefore chose it as one of my final.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall V1

HD is placed in the center of the composition and the circle was placed to help viewers to focus in the middle because the leaves is pulling attention from HD. there is also a contrast between the background of leaves and HD as there is a dark outline around HD.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall V2Again, Hd is placed in the middle, a silhouette of a girl with a whip is added into the picture, i liked this more as the face of the HD is more comical and there is a lecherous face there, however the contrast of HD and the background is too low.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall V3

inverted the background colour to black to make the contrast of HD bigger and more focused. outer glow is also used to ensure that both HD and the silhouette stands out. there is still room for further improvements.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall v4

the addition tree is removed for a clearer picture, the mass of leaves is shrink to leave more empty space and therefore better focus, however the contrast of HD face is too low and there is a lost of detail.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall V5

changed HD position from sitting to standing, increased the detail on the face which further shows that he had a GREAT FALL. I like this composition and this will be chosen.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men V1

symmetry, repetitively pattern with different sized of kingsmen, the biggest one in the middle and the 2 giant horse capture the attention of viewer, there are also empty spaces to enhance the contrast of subject and the background, however there is little human touch and the composition seems cold.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men V2

the background is changed to a castle, however i feel this is a weaker idea than the previous.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men V3

Different approach, symmetry, repetitive pattern, harmony is also used. however there is also little human touch as it is all vector.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men V4

lower the contrast the kingsmen on the side to bring further focus to the main subject. I really like this composition and this will be chosen.

Principles of design

Unity/Harmony

When all elements are in agreement, a design is considered unified. No individual part is viewed as more important than the whole design.

Perspective: sense of distance between elements.
Similarity: ability to seem repeatable with other elements.
Continuation: the sense of having a line or pattern extend.
Repetition: elements being copied or mimicked numerous times.
Rhythm: is achieved when recurring position, size, color, and use of a graphic element has a focal point interruption.
Altering the basic theme achieves unity and helps keep interest.

Balance

It is a state of equalized tension and equilibrium, which may not always be calm.

Symmetry
Asymmetrical balance produces an informal balance that is attention attracting and dynamic.
Radial balance is arranged around a central element. The elements placed in a radial balance seem to ‘radiate’ out from a central point in a circular fashion.
Overall is a mosaic form of balance which normally arises from too many elements being put on a page. Due to the lack of hierarchy and contrast, this form of balance can look noisy but sometimes quiet.Symmetrical example in real life:

The left and right of the architecture is mirrored with the central plane which made the building symmetrical.

Asymmetrical example in art:

Hierarchy

contains elements that lead the reader through each element in order of its significance.

Images should be expressed starting from most important to the least important.

Example of hierarchy in art:

The Proportion and placing enthroned Madonna and Child make it the most important subject, followed by those wearing red, and lastly to those in the background.

Example of hierarchy in typography:

The most importation information to be read first with the biggest font, and at the top,

Secondly most in sequence information second and medium font and lastly the information that should be read last having the smallest font and placing at the bottom.

Scale/proportion

relative size of elements against each other can attract attention to a focal point.

When elements are designed larger than life, scale is being used to show drama.

Example of scale in photography:

The scale of the finger is way larger than the figurine, its is automatically processed by the brain that it is a small figurine instead of it is a giant hand.

Examples of Proportion in Sculpture:

The proportion of the arm is way larger than it should be for that small head, it attract attention due to the abnormality of the disproportion.

Dominance/emphasis

created by contrasting size, positioning, color, style, or shape.

The focal point should dominate the design with scale and contrast without sacrificing the unity of the whole.

Examples of dominance/emphasis in Photography:

A single bright blue raspberry stands out from a crowd of red raspberry, it draws attention to the blue raspberry making the other red raspberry to become the background.

Similarity and contrast

Planning a consistent and similar design is an important aspect of a designer’s work to make their focal point visible

Too much similarity is boring but without similarity important elements will not exist and an image without contrast is uneventful so the key is to find the balance between similarity and contrast.

Example of Similarity in graphic design:

The pattern is repeated, however the colour of a single stickman is different with other to show contrast.

Example of Contrast in Painting:

The flower is being emphasis by having a contrast with the black background which makes it stand out.

2D Project 1, Lines (2)

After my exploration, I realized that my idea is not strong enough as most of the work lacks the foundation of art and seems like the work of someone who just want to complete the work, therefore I re-did my research from the basis of design – The Design Element and The Principles of Design. I think that the foundation of design is important, so rather than just doing a project, I hope I could learn to apply the Design Elements and Principles not by chance but by consciously applying it. ( Those works in the previous pictures in which I circled and wrote with red text are those which was done after the further research )

This is also the reasons of final choice, I think all my finals I do should have a reason and basic design element/principle to execute it. The following is my 4 steps which leads to my final work.

Study and understand the design element and principles again and choose what could be applied in this project. ( I found a few principles and elements which are not taught in class, it made sense so I am using it too)

Principles of Design
Balance –
Symmetry – brings visual stability , sense of structured, pleasing to the eye and more organised.
Asymmetry – could be an informal visual balance, could balance the visual weight by putting the heavier weighted ( bigger or darker ) nearer to the fulcrum (center) and balanced by a lighter (smaller or lighter) further away from the fulcrum(center)

Gradation –
The tone from light to dark, can add interest and movement, cause eye to move along the shape from dark to light.

Repetition –
Repetition with variation is interesting while without is monotonous.

Contrast –
The relative difference between 2 tone, too much contrast will distract viewer yet too little will have no impact.

Harmony –
Combining of similar and related elements, create a visually satisfying result

Dominance –
Gives painting interest, Counteract confusion/monotony and could gives emphasis

Hierarchy –
lead viewer sight, gives importance in order.

Proportion –
Using Relative size to attract attention/focus. Scale could show drama

Elements of Design
Texture –
Surface characteristic, could also be flat and bring texture by using illusion of painting

Direction –
Horizontal – Calmness, Stability, Tranquility
Vertical – Balance, Formality, Alertness.
Diagonal – Movement, Action, active

Size –
The area occupied by one shape relative to the other

Space –
Overlap – To make object nearer/further
Shading/Highlight – Clearer lines are nearer, Duller are further
Linear Perspective – Smaller object are smaller

2 . Research the ways that people express themselves through art, (Mainly – what is said by the lecturer in art history lesson)

Art Nouveau –
Curves are natural, feminine, passive

Art Medium –
Brush stroke
Squeeze straight from tubes
Type of paints
Using Finger
Using of unconventional tools/mediums like glue, cutting of paper, punching holes

Types of Lines –
Implied lines
Zigzagged lines
Freehand lines
Dotted lines
Horizontal/Vertical/Diagonal lines

Art in Process –

Methods to execute the art.
The Story in making the art is an art itself.

3. Research the 18 words given again, understand how it is being carried out and how do I want to execute my idea/meaning of that word on paper
Perspective of words
Aggressive – Fast, Impact, High contrast
Anxious – Anxiousness is built up overtime
Awkward – Does not fit in, sudden corners in curve lines
Distracted – Shift of focus on mundane/monotonous work to fun and interesting, then back to the mundane/monotonous work long after it should
Embarrassed – Curve lines, low contrast and indefine lines to show a shy personalities
Exhausted – getting lesser, leads to giving up, using of a pen that is low in ink
Indecisive – hesitate, incompleted.
Psychotic – Unstable, using of negative space, using of ways which final result could not be predicted.
Sloven – Fast scribble, crushed paper, marks of ink leaked from the paper above, untidy.
Ambiguous – half full, heavier on top, question about the execution
Bizarre – the Unexplained, unorthodox
Fragile – i want it to be straight forward, the weakest/most fragile part of a paper is the torn part.
Lyrical – passive, curves, high and lows, 5 lines to represent staffs(lines) on music sheets, instrument which plays music
Nonsensical – Does not have a meaning, like a hotdog, a SUPPPPEEERRRRRR LONNNNGGGGG HOTDOG!
Sensual – Curvy, Ribbons, using space by light and dark tone, contrast, whiplash
Spontaneous – random stroke, unplanned, do what i want to do when i am doing the final.
Systematic – Plotted, measure everything, this needs to be perfect, no stroke overshot, every thing intended.
Turbulent – messy, wind could not be seen nomatter how strong it is, leaves could easily represent wind strength, negative spaces could form tornado like lines.

4. Choose what I want to use on step 1, 2 and 3 for every word and use it to build my final idea for every words.

*Word – Element, Principles , How it is being expressed*

Aggressive – Texture, Dominance, The method in executing the art.
Anxious – Size, Gradation, Perspective of words.
Awkward – Space, Asymmetry, Perspective of words.
Distracted – Size, Proportion and Asymmetry and Repetition, Perspective of words.
Embarrassed – Space, Contrast and Gradation, Whiplash Curves.
Exhausted – Size, Gradation, Type of lines – freehand lines.
Indecisive – Direction, Contrast, Type of lines – Freehand lines.
Psychotic – Texture and size, Contrast and Balance, Method in Executing the art.
Sloven – Texture, Contrast and Dominance, Type of lines – Freehand lines.
Ambiguous – Texture, Contrast and Repetition and Balance, Type of paint and squeezing straight from tube.
Bizarre – Texture, – , unconventional medium – Silicon glue.
Fragile – Direction, Contrast and Dominance, Using unconventional medium – tearing of paper.
Lyrical – Space, Contrast and Asymmetry, Whiplash curves.
Nonsensical – Direction, Gradation and Contrast and Dominance, Type of lines – Implied lines.
Sensual – Space- Shading & highlight, Gradation and Harmony and Asymmetry, Whiplash Curves.
Spontaneous – Texture and Space, Harmony and Proportion, Type of lines – Zigzagged lines.
Systematic – Direction – Diagonal, Repetition and Gradation and symmetry, Perspective of words.
Turbulent – Texture, Contrast and Proportion, unconventional medium – using of glue with marker

2D Project 1, Lines (1)

18 of the words could be separated into 2 column,

*Direct/result/how a person act*

Aggressive, Anxious, Awkward, Distracted, Embarrassed, Exhausted, Indecisive, Psychotic and Sloven

*indirect/cause/how a person sense*

Ambiguous, Bizarre, Fragile, Lyrical, Nonsensical, Sensual, Spontaneous, Systematic and Turbulent

Aggressive, Anxious, Awkward and Distracted exploration

Aggressive – Angry, Fast, Sharp edges, Hard Stroke, Thick lines, Impact

Anxious – Anxious people are easily agitated, they are unstable, Anxiousness are built up over time, and anxious people get more anxious because they are anxious. chain reaction. I watched this OCD and Anxiety Psychology Crash course to understand more about anxiety.

Awkward – does not fit in, the errrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmm, awkward silence

Distracted – Being focus on things that are unimportant, usually like scrolling facebook, instagram, and tends to overshot the “rest time” we set for ourself.

Embarrassed, Exhausted, Indecisive and Psychotic exploration

Embarrassed – Shy, Blushed, trying to hide, Small pattern, low contrast, Soft, Curvy Indefine line – only shading

Exhausted – unable to continue, slow, weak, leads to giving up, pen with little ink left. energy going down, feeble line

Indecisive – Hesitant, Shaky, Soft, slow, indecisive people tend to follow other people,

Psychotic – normal people are unable to apprehend, either extreme unstable/ extreme stable. Bipolar,

Sloven, Ambiguous, Bizarre and Fragile Exploration

Sloven – Dont care, Thick marker mark, fast rough sketch , crushed paper.

Ambiguous – have more than one meaning, open to interpretation,

Bizarre – Funny, Serious to self, Unorthodox, weird, odd – using of other weird/odd mediums

Fragile – No glass crack alike, perforation, Tear line of paper, zipline

Lyrical, Nonsensical, Sensual and Spontaneous Exploration

Lyrical – at first i got totally no idea, but i got inspired by art noveau from art history class and the whiplash curls. so 5 lines to represent the staff on music sheet and curvy lines.

Nonsensical – yeah, no meaning, illogical, meaningless,

Sensual – Curves, females, ribbons, arousing

Spontaneous – anyhow , having fun, freedom, unplanned, sudden impulse, zig zag lines.

Systematic and Turbulent Exploration and Draft 1

Systematic – Fixed pattern, Repetitive pattern, straightlines, plotted lines,

Turbulent – Wind, plane, messy, can be gentle, curves, leaves