Lectures and Exercises

Lectures and Exercises

27.08.18- x(week 1-week 14)

Jennifer Tan (0333137)

Design Principles

Exercises & Projects

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INSTRUCTIONS

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Lecture 1: Contrast
27.08.18 (week 1)

Today we talked about contrast. Contrast is everywhere and it come in different ways.
It can come in a form of

• geometry
• colours
• fonts
• symmetrical shapes
• sizes

All these elements can make contrast. Sometimes, colours speaks a lot of whats most important when it comes to a design.

figure 1.1 and 1.2 Visual References

So later in class we were told to create our own contrast.

Exercises
I first did a contrast using typography but Miss Sherry informed us to leave typography aside first and focus more on shapes.

Figure 1.3 "Think Big" Contrast

We were only allowed to work with black and white. So I went back and worked on 2 more contrast pieces but without using typography but more of shapes, lines and  colour. Below are the Final Attempts.

Figure 1.4 "H20"

Figure 1.5 Element Contrast

Feedback
Miss Sherry thought that my first one showed more contrast than the second. She also commented that the 2nd one has a weaker composition and that it can be placed somewhere else other than the middle. She also commented that somethings can be added to the background as it was a little too empty. 

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Lecture 2: Gestalt Principles
6.8.2018 (week 2)

Today we were introduced to the art of Gestalt. 
Gestalt is a psychological term meaning "unified whole" which refers to a visual perception created by psychologist in the 1920s.

There are a few principles when it comes to Gestalt

• Similarity

When something appears as a single unit with the help of similar shapes.

figure 2.1 visual example of similarity in gestalt

• Continuation

When we see one object but are thought to follow through another object, (our eyes naturally follow the shape)

Figure 2.2 Visual Example of Continuation in
gestalt

Figure 2.2 Visual Example of Continuation in
gestalt

• Closure

When one shape is not filled but there are enough shapes there so our minds naturally fill in whats empty.

Figure 2.4 Visual Example of Closure in Gestalt

Exercises

We were then told to go back and create a piece that contains Gestalt Principles.

The first one is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There 2 characters (other than Alice) that plays an important role in Alice in Wonderland. When I think about Alice in wonderland, Chesire Cat and the Mad Hatter comes in my mind .

figure 2.6 Mad Hatter

figure 2.5 Cheshire Cat

I then decided these 2 key roles into one. 

Figure 2.7 The Outcome

After that I decided to do another one. I was looking at some animal videos and pictures and came across an owl. 

Specifically this owl.

Figure 2.8 an owl

I can't help but to imagine a fish shape on its wings which immediately sparked the idea of doing a gestalt piece using this.

I also decided, instead of the normal eyes, I used fish hooks to symbolise the eyes

This the outcome of it.

Figure 2.9 Fishy Owl.

I then decided to do a few more as the ones above were not that strong of Gestalt.

Figure 2.10 Lightbulb/ Moon touching the sea

Figure 2.11 Factory with Guns (air pollution's killing earth)

Figure 2.12 Factory/ Man smoking

Feedback

Miss Sherry commented on my Chesire Cat/Mad Hatter gestalt, saying that it has a much stronger gestalt when compared to the fish/owls gestalt. After receiving the comments, I decided to go back and do a few more. Due to the time being, I was only able to show one gestalt out of the 3 I've done, which is the 3rd one. Figure 2.12 which is a man smoking/Factory emitting smoke. Miss Sherry had some trouble differentiating the picture but in the end she said the idea is fun.

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LECTURE 3: Asymmetry, Symmetry, Balance, Dominance
11th September 2018 (WEEK 3)
Today we learnt about these 4 principles.

• Symmetry

Symmetry is when the elements are same on both sides of the axis. When elements are mirrored and are exactly on both sides, thats called a perfect symmetry. There are 3 types of symmetries. 

1. Reflectional symmetry
2. Rotational symmetry
3. Translational Symmetry

Figure 3.1 Example of Reflectional symmetry



Figure 3.2 Example of Rotational Symmetry


Figure 3.3 Example of Translational Symmetry

• Asymmetry

Asymmetry is when elements are arranged where both sides are different on both the axis.

Figure 3.4 Example of Assymetry

• Balance

Balance is the distribution of visual weights of and object, textures, colours and space in a particular composition.

Figure 3.5 Example of Balance, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Hokusai

• Dominance / Emphasis

When an artwork has dominance, it means that theres an element in particular that attracts the eye first more that anything else on the page.

Figure 3.6 Example of Dominance / Emphasis

Exercises
So for this topic, we were only allowed to use watercolours to express one of the 4 principles. So for this exercise, I used the principles symmetry and asymmetry the most.

For the 1st art work, I decided to incorporate my favourite boyband into this assignment cause their music really makes me feel at peace, so, why not?

Theres one particular music video that I love which is called Spring Day by BTS. The video was really beautiful so I decided to use 2 scenes from the video and combine it together in one artwork.

Figure 3.7.1 Inspiration #1

Figure 3.7.2  Inspirations #2

Below is the final outcome with a combination of asymmetry and symmetry.

Figure 3.8 Final Outcome #1

After that, I decided to do another one. This next one is inspired a movie called Wonder. Its a story of boy with a medical condition called Treacher Collins Syndrome. To cover up his face, he always uses a astronaut helmet. At the same time, he dreams to be a astronaut. 

Figure 3.9 'Wonder' Movie Poster

So to combine him and his ambition, decided to put it side by side, so its kind off like saying, nothing is impossible. Below is the final outcome of it.

Figure 3.10 Final Outcome #2

Feedback

Final Outcome #1: Miss Sherry could see the asymmetry/symmetry used in the artwork. She said it had a weird aspect to it but good try.

Final Outcome #2: Miss Anis really liked the concept of my artwork. Miss Sherry thought that I had unique concept too. 

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Lecture 4: Pattern, Repetition, Texture, Surface
week 4: 18th September 2018
Today, my group gave a presentation about pattern, repetition, texture and surface. 

Patterns
Pattern is when an object or symbol is repeated throughout the artwork, like repeating the lines and shapes. Pattern can be divided into 4 types:

• branching 

This type of pattern exist, obviously, in the plant world but also in delta formations or certain crystalline forms.

Figure 4.1 Visual example of branching

• spirals

This type of patterns can be seen usually in galaxies or under microscopic animals or ferns. 

Figure 4.2 Visual example of spirals

Figure 4.3 Ferns

• flow

patterns that flow and follows the path or least resistance it can be related to waterfalls, rivers or music.

Figure 4.4 visual example of flow

Figure 4.5 visual example of waterfalls

• Packing and cracking

This refers to how compacted cells define each others shape.

Figure 4.6 Visual example of packing and cracking

Repetition
Repetition is when an element is repeated many times in a single design. The whole idea of repetition is reusing the same or similar elements throughout a design. Repetition works with pattern makes the work of art seem active and it may create unity.

Figure 4.7 Visual Example of repetition

Figure 4.8 Visual Example of Repetition 2

Texture 
Texture is when we sense and object through touch and it can exist as a literal surface or when we physically see it, we can imagine the sensation of it as we might have felt it.
Texture can also be portrayed in an image as we can refer to the memories of when we touched it so a texture can also be imaginary.

There are certain types of texture.

• Bristly, rough and hard

Figure 4.9 Bristly, rough and hard surface

• Smooth, soft and warm 

Figure 4.10 Smooth, Soft and/or warm

• Smooth, Cold and Hard

Figure 4.11 Smooth, cold and hard

Surface

Surface the outer or upper most layer of something where any type of median is applied. Surface allows us to see things in a 2d perspective. 

• wood surface

Figure 4.12 Wood surface

• empty canvas

Figure 4.13 Empty Canvas

• Knitted surface

Figure 4.14 Knitted Surface

Exercise

So for this exercise, the medium we were told to use was stamping. It could be using fruits or vegetables or anything around the house. I chose to use something I learned when I was in my foundation which is printmaking. 

So then I had to come out with an idea. 

I was mainly inspired by nature but more specifically trees. Like the ones up in the mountains that look like Christmas trees. They are always a whole mountain full of those which gave me an idea of using them as patterns/repetitions. So I wanted to carve out a whole pattern/ repetition of these types of trees.

Figure 4.15 Trees (inspirations)

But then it hit me, that just repeating trees would be boring so I wanted to add something so it would give a good contrast.  I was thinking what I could add to bring more contrast to the trees when I thought about the movie Brother Bear. So I thought why not incorporate a cute bear since they're always seen in mountainous areas. 

Figure 4.16 Bear

After the inspirations, I made a rough sketch of how the Lino will be.

Figure 4.17 rough sketches

Then I started to draw on a piece of Lino and started carving out the bear and the trees.

Figure 4.18 In the midst of carving

Figure 4.19 The outcome of the carving

After carving it out, I then used some water-based ink and started to print the Lino on a piece of paper. Below is the final outcome of the print.

Figure 4.20 The final outcome

Feedback 

Miss Sherry thought it was quite a good idea to put a bear in the middle. She also said that the trees did show a repetition/ pattern principle being implied. She then said it was good effort and it would be even better if it was coloured.

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LECTURE 5: Alignment, Hierarchy, Placement, Direction
week 5: 25th September 2018

For this week we learnt about alignment, hierarchy, placement and direction, in which we were taught by our classmates.

Alignment
Alignment is the when visual elements are arranged so that they line up in a composition. There are a few types of alignments:

• edge alignment
• center alignment 
• visual/optical alignment

Horizontal alignment 

Vertical Alignment

• Edge alignment 

Edge alignment determines the arrangement of elements in relation to the edges of the page/canvas. It can be either on the right, left, bottom or top. 

Figure 5.1 Edge Alignment on a poster

• Centre Alignment

Centre Alignment is when elements are aligned to the centre, line down in the centre or across the horizontal. 

Figure 5.2 Poster aligned in the middle

Figure 5.3 Example 2

• Visual / Optical alignment 

In visual alignment, objects may not be precisely aligned but to the eye they may appear lined up.

Figure 5.4 Visual example of Visual/optical alignment 

• Misalignment

Some designers would intentionally break alignment as it can help to draw more attention to a specific element in the layout hence its called misalignment. 

Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is when elements are arranged in a way that implies importance.

• Scale

When large items draws the eye.

Figure 5.6 Visual example of scale

• Contrast

Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements, and also being different than their surroundings so it can capture viewers attention. 

Figure 5.7 Visual Example of contrast #1

Figure 5.8 Visual Example of contrast #2

• White Space

White space can draw out the attention by setting an element apart from the rest. Basically isolating it.

Figure 5.9 Visual example of white space

• Proximity 

Nearness to an eye-catching element 

Figure 5.10 Visual Example of proximity

Placement
Placement describes the change and position of shapes or objects that can affect the visual depth and composition of an artwork.

Figure 5.11 Putting an element in the middle makes it look more important

Visual Direction 
Visual directions helps lead the eye to the next location.

Figure 5.12 Visual Example of Visual Direction

It can either be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Horizontal directions makes a compositions more calm and stable while a vertical direction adds a sense of formality, alertness and stable. Diagonal directions can suggest  movement and action.


Exercise
For this exercise, we were told to do a collage and apply the above principles at the same time. So first of all, I did some research because I didn't want  my collage to just be a bunch of random cut out pictures. I wanted it to have a theme. So I did some research on Pinterest and came across some collages that caught my eye.

Figure 5.13 Inspiration #1

Figure 5.14 Inspiration #2

Figure 5.15 Inspiration #3

Figure 5.16 Inspiration #4

I was mainly inspired by these types of collages and it kind off gives off a vintage vibe. So I wanted to create something like that but at the same time, fo it to have a meaning behind it. Below is the final outcome of the collage.

Figure 5.17 Final outcome: 'A Road to Another Paradise'

Feedback:
 Miss Sherry said that it does show vertical alignment and she also agreed the meaning behind this collage is kind off deep. Overall it was okay. 

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LECTURE 6: Dot, Line, Size, Scale
week 6: 2nd October 2018
For this week, We learned the principles of dots, lines, sizes and scales.

Dots
When it comes to graphic design, dots are the smallest and most basic element.  It may seem small but using dots in design can created a wide variety of visual effects. By positioning dots, it can provide various associations.

• calmness can be conveyed by positioning the point in the centre. 

Figure 6.1 A dot in the middle

• tensions can be conveyed by positioning the dot to the edge of the paper. 

  

  Figure 6.2 A dot at the edge

  
  

Dots, regardless their shape, form, mass or blob, it is what it is and they are the building blocks of everything.  They can be the focused point of attention and they can provide a reference point relative to other forms and space around it.

While we always see dots and see them as circular, they don't necessary need to be as dots are the focal points in compositions. The below can also be symbolised as dots too.

Figure 6.3 Dots don't necessary have to be dots.

Figure 6.4 Some examples of Dots in Graphic Design

• 2 dots can imply a structure.
• As dots get closer together, they start to be seen as a single object. 
• overlapping dots creates figure/ground relationships.
  
  

  

  Figure 6.5 Relationship of dots.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Repetition of Dots can create:

• textures
• vivid effects
• optical illusions
• pointillism 

Figure 6.6  Repetition of Dots #1

Figure 6.7 Repetition of Dots #2

Figure 6.8 Repetition of Dots #3

Figure 6.9 Example of Repetition of Dots

Lines

• Lines are the most fundamental elements of design. It is the starting place for most art works as its starts with one fine lines. 
• Lines can be either straight or curved
• with just lines, its enough to create pieces of artworks

Figure 6.10 Perspective Drawing using lines

Figure 6.11  A simple drawing of a couple using just lines (drawn by Siret Roots)

Figure 6.12 Curved Lines

Size

• Size suggest how big or small an element is in relation to another object
• it can be used to attract attention to a certain object or to just create some contrast. 
• Size can also be used to make a particular element stand out or to just give it some importance

Figure 6.13 Cherryboat by Jeff Jordan

Figure 6.14 Mad Men by Needle Design

Scale

• Scale is when the size of an object has a relationship to another object. 
• In design or art, the size relationship between human and object is quite significant. 
• When experiencing the scale of an artwork we tend to compare the size to our own body. 
• At the same time, Scale can create emphasis, drama and aid. 

Figure 6.15 The Great Wave, Mountain is smaller because is further away.

Exercise

So for this exercise, we were allowed to use all the mediums the we used before for all our exercises. I was really confused on what I should do, but in the end I wanted to incorporate lines. I had a bunch of ideas for the artwork but they were all scattered.

Figure 6.16 Sketches #1

Figure 6.17 Sketches #2 and watercolour testing.

I didn't really find any inspirations as the idea was slowly developed in my head. In the end, I decided to use 2 mediums, which is watercolour and collage. And Below was the final outcome.

Figure 6.18 Final outcome

Feedback
Miss Sherry thought my final outcome was really interesting and pretty, especially the colour. She also likes the concept of the circles being not aligned with the lines as it gives out contrast. She was also curious on how I did the lines. Overall, Miss Sherry thought the final outcome was good.

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LECTURE 7: HARMONY, MOVEMENT, RHYTHM
week 7: 9th October

Harmony
Harmony is described as sameness and the belonging of one thing with another.
Harmony can be categorised into 2 types:

• Visual Harmony

Visual Harmony is when an artwork can be differentiated by shape, colour, composition and other design principles.

Figure 7.1 Visual Harmony

• Conceptual Harmony

Conceptual Harmony is when an artwork has a common theme or concept throughout.

7.2 Conceptual Harmony

Achieving Harmony
Harmony can be achieved by

• repetition of design elements like colour, texture, shape and form 
• Repetition and Rhythm 
• Equal amounts of unity and Variety

Movement

Movement is when an artwork is taking a viewer's eyes through a certain direction, often to focus of areas. It can either be directed along lines, edges, shapes and colour within the artwork.

Actions can be implied in a painting, which helps create life and activity within the composition. It can also indicate by the "freeze frame" effect of an object in motion. Eg: a bouncing ball in mid air or a lion about to catch its prey. 

Movement can be done in certain ways

• Fuzzy outlines

7.3 Fuzzy outlines

• Multiple images

  

  7.4 Multiple Images

• Anticipated Movements

  

  7.5 Anticipated movements

Movement can also also be represented using repetition and rhythm. Repetition tends to tie things together and makes the eye wander around the picture to establish a movement. The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai tends to portray this principle.

7.6 The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai

Rhythm
Rhythm can indicate movement, created by careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat. There are 5 types of rhythms

• Regular Rhythm: occurs when the intervals between elements are similar in size or length. Basically repetition. 

Figure 7.7 A brick Wall 

Figure 7.8 Three Flags by Jasper Johns

• Progressive Rhythms: occurs when there is a gradual increase or decrease in either size, number, colour or some other quality of the elements repeated.

7.9 Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp

• Alternating Rhythm: occurs when there is 2 or more motifs that are alienated, creating an overall piece. Elements may not necessarily be identical to one another but its similar.

7.10 Lizard by M.C. Escher

• Random Rhythm: created through similar elements or motifs that are repeated with no consistency but in the end the final piece can still be seen as a whole.

7.11 Goloconde by René Margritte.

Exercises

Honestly, for this topic, I was really confused on what should be done. I didn't really understand this principle at the start so I really struggled. For this exercise, we were asked to used our own photography as our medium and we could either collage or just have the photo al on its own.

At first I did a collage of my trip to the UK. Like I said, I didn't really understand this topic so I kind off did this with just a rough understanding. In this collage, I was trying to express movement (me changing different poses) and harmony (the 2 themes). I wasn't really satisfied with the results to be honest.






After receiving the feedback, I decided to do a new one, instead of collaging, I just took a photo that described Rhythm and at the same time, a little movement.

Figure 7.13 2nd and Final attempt

Feedback

I first asked Miss Anis for her critique on the first one, which is the collage. She commented on how she can see movement and a little harmony, however, due to the pictures being all over the place, she doesn't know where and what to focus on. Miss Sherry thought about the same thing. So after I chose my photo for my 2nd attempt, they said they could see more movement and rhythm in the picture. \

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PROJECT 1
(2 WEEKS)

So for the first project, we were asked to do a self portrait. We could use any medium we want and we have to produce a piece that describes myself.

So first of all, I had a whole idea of doing something related to flowers, to give it like a theme.

there are certain things I liked to portray. My overthinking-ness, joy, the people around me, and also my hidden sadness.
Below is the process of how my designs came together.

Figure 8.1 painting the flowers

Figure 8.2 The completion of the flower

Figure 8.3 Background painting 

Figure 8.4 Adding a Butterfly on my face

Figure 8.5 Adding more butterflies around the artwork 

Figure 8.6 The Final Outcome

Here are what each element represent.
Flowers: People that are surrounding me.
Butterflies: Joy that surrounds me and me spreading joy. it can be both.
Butterfly on my face: if you see closely, both sides of the butter fly is not the same, which describes my imperfections
The black and white side of my face: the sadness in me that sometimes can be seen time to time
Galaxy: my overthinking thoughts. The Galaxy is so big and its never ending and nobody knows how infinitely big it is. Which describe my thoughts, being never ending and it can go on and on without stopping.
The pink and white background: My love of sunsets and pretty skies cause when I look up, it just instantly makes me feel at peace cause to me, it all just feels less chaotic when I just look up.

Feedback
Miss Sherry thought that my work was very lovely and that it was the best work I produced out of all the works I have done.

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LECTURE 8:SHAPE FORM AND FIGURE AND GROUND
week 8

Shape Form
Shapes can be split into 2 Dimensional Shapes or 3 Dimensional. When shapes and Forms are combined together, they make a space and it can be made out of Lines, space and colour.

The main geometric shapes are Square, triangles and circles and these shapes can be combined to make other shapes like stars and diamonds.

Shapes are like the brains attempt at resolving an object as recognisable to one's experiences.  Objects and environments that are recognisable to us are referred as being Realistic or Naturalistic.

When putting shapes together, it creates abstracts. There are 2 types.

• Objective Abstracts, in which an art piece is derived from realistic. 
• Non Objective Abstracts, in which it does no refer to any real objects and its purely based on form, line and colour. 

Forms are 3 dimensional and it gives dimension, volume, texture and space. It can be done by adding lines, tones and colour.


Figure and Ground

• Figure is the Foreground 
• Ground is the Background

Figure and Ground can be distinguished by using certain factors

• blur
• size
• contrast

As a matter of fact, s Figure and ground can be applied on the Gestalt laws.

Exercise
For this exercise, I wanted to, once again, incorporate my favourite band, and its inspired by both a music video and a song.
So there's this one album, there were pictures that incorporates a hot air balloon as the album in which the song is in, there are many pictures that has hot air balloon, which kind off symbolises freedom and happiness

Figure 9.1 Album

Figure 9.2 Inspiration #2 

Figure 9.3 Inspiration #3

Figure 9.4 Inspiration #4

So I decided to combine all these elements into one to produce an artwork using watercolour. 

Figure 9.5 The Final Outcome 

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PROJECT 2: A Sense of Place

The second project. For this project, we were told to visit a place thats close to us and observe during the day and during the nights and capture the feel of the place.

For this project I decided to go to Chinatown, Petaling Street and I also went to a cafe called Merchants Lane Cafe when I was there. Below were the pictures that I took and went through some colour corrections and colour replacements.

If you notice, theres a theme going on as they all have a similar colour- RED. It was intentional. When I think or when I'm in Petaling Street, it all really gives off a vibe of Chinese traditions as they're  lanterns everywhere, temples and a lot of restaurant that serves Chinese cuisine. Also, red, in the Chinese culture, symbolises good fortune and joy. That is why you see Red everywhere during Chinese new year.

The quote "this must be the place" was taken in a cafe called Merchants Lane which is also in Petaling Street. This cafe wasn't out in the open and it was situated one the second floor of a shop lot. So, I have a feeling that they put the sign there to symbolise their cafe being hidden so when customers finally find the place, they'll think " Ah.... this must be the place".

Then I started to combine all the photos together and below is the final outcome.

Figure 10.1 The Final Outcome

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LECTURE 9: PROXIMITY, PERSPECTIVE, PROPORTION, UNITY, VARIETY
WEEK 9

PROXIMITY
Proximity is when objects are grouped and shaped together into a composition. When the objects are close to each other, it is seen as a unit. Proximity can both create or eliminate connections.
By moving elements closer to each other or further apart can help create proximity.

When used properly, proximity can help us differentiate visual elements to reduce visual clutter and make the whole design more understandable. It can be traced back with the principle of balance and hierarchy.

PERSPECTIVE
Artist may use perspective to represent and object as 3D in 2Dimensional surface so that it looks natural and realistic. It can help create an illusion of space and depth on a flat surface.
There are several types of perspective.

Atmospheric perspective (also known as Aerial Perspective) involves in creating the impression of atmosphere between the viewer and the subject. Basically applying distance. So, the further an object, the more it loses its intensity of colour, hence becoming weaker and grayer. This also makes the objects lose its detail and sharpness

Linear Perspective is creating an illusion of depth on a 2 dimensional surface. This consist the use of a geometric system consisting of a horizon line at the eye level, vanishing points and lines the coverage towards the vanishing points to create the illusion of space and distance on   2D surface.
Linear perspectives can be split into 3 types. 1 point, 2 point or 2 point perspective.

PROPORTION
Proportion refers to the comparative harmonious relationship between 2 or more elements in a composition with respect to size, colour, quantity, degree, setting.... So they work together and no element is too isolated. Proportion is very important when it comes to designing as it offers a harmonious relationship with different elements, so when composed together, they look like they belong together.

The golden ratio is a mathematical method for determining proportion.

Good proportion adds harmony and symmetry , or balance among the parts of a design as a whole.

UNITY/VARIETY
Unity helps create a sense of harmony and wholeness by using similar kinds of elements within the composition and placing them in a certain way that helps bring them all together. Variety is a principle that embraces diversity of structure, rules, look and fee and it adds interests by using contrasting elements within the composition.

Exercise
Once again, we are allowed to use any medium. So for this exercise I wanted to use the principle of perspective. I wanted incorporate the feel of solo travelling. I wanted the artwork to have a chill, relaxing vibe, while getting lost in another country. Like just imagine putting in some earphones and listening to some relaxing music or blasting off to your favourite playlist while talking a stroll and enjoying the sunset. Below is my moodboard.

MOODBOARD

First I chose a background and I put a perspective guide on so it'll be easier for me to draw.

Then I started to sketch on watercolour paper.

After that I started to colour it with watercolour.

After watercoloring it, it just looked really empty, so I decided use ink to trace over it and add some detail so that it can make it 'pop'.

Below is the final outcome.

'Lost in Japan'

Feedback: Miss Sherry thought the artwork is quite interesting and pretty. She could see the principle of perspective being used but it could be improved. The shoulder also looked quite weird and it was much more wider than it should be which I agreed really well on. Other than that, it was overall okay.

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FINAL PROJECT: BILLBOARD STUDY
4 WEEKS

Data Collection
So the final project. For this project we have to create a piece that is inspired by the billboards that are around us. At first, I was really worried because, every time I see the billboards on the road, I am never attracted to the billboards by the roads of Malaysia. I find them very unattractive, so I decided to go to the city centre (Bukit Bintang) and look at the billboards there as I feel like they're normally more attractive. When I went there, I realised that a lot of their billboards are digital so I decided to just watch some of them and I managed to capture some that captured my eye. Also I found the billboards there much more attractive and modern when compared to the ones by the road. Below are the pictures that I captured.

Figure 12.1 Billboard 1 

Figure 12.2 Billboard 2

Figure 12.3 BIllboard 3

Figure 12.4 Billboard 4

Figure 12.5 Billboard 5

Figure 12.6 Billboard 6

Figure 12.7 Billboard 7

Figure 12.8 Billboard 8

After that I tried to find some similarities between each of the few billboards and I saw that there are  2 billboards that were commercialising a watch brand- Swatch.

Swatch was advertising their new line of watches which is Skin Irony.

The watch's design is to bring the classic and modern together into one, thus the advertisement shows the model being half statue. To understand this concept more, I decided to watch their ad for the watches as well. Below is the link for the ad.

Swatch 2018- SKIN IRONY

Also the flowers that was shown in figure 12.7 which is for Gucci, I found it quite interesting too.

The Research
I did some reviewing for the billboards that I captured and try to generate some ideas by using a mind map.

Figure 12.9 Mindmap

I then had an idea about greek gods so I did my research and came across the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. In a tale, Aphrodite's lover, Adonis, was hunting in the woods when he encountered a wild boar and was attacked by it. When Aphrodite saw him injured, she then immediately went to him and she started to cry out of shock. When she cried, her tear dropped onto the surface where Adonis's blood was. So the mixture of Aphrodite's tear and the blood of Adonis created a blood-rose flower. So this story really made me want to create a piece that was inspired by this story. Also, I wanted to incorporate the watches that was in most of the billboards that I captured. I did some research and I found out that clocks symbolises endless love, which was what Adonis and Aphrodite had- Endless love. So I decided to put all of these elements together. In order to get myself started,  I went and find some  things that inspire me.

Figure 12.10 My moodboard

The Idea

After doing some research here and there, I started to photoshop together some elements to kind of get an idea of what I will be doing.

Figure 12.11 Photoshopped version- to get an idea of what I will be doing.

Figure 12.12 2nd Version

I then started to sketch it on watercolour paper. The clocks that I drew are not the same as the picture, I did use references from other sources.

The Process

Sketching
I wanted to get the proportions right and also I'm really bad at drawing portraits so this took me quite some time.

Figure 12.13 Sketching Process

Figure 12.14 Sketching Process #2- When I finished drawing the face. Moving on to the time pieces

When drawing the clocks, it was a really lengthy process. In order to get the proportions and the placement of the numbers correct, I had to use a compass and a protractor to calculate the angles of how far each hour has to be apart from each other and also some other elements. The Details were crucial as mistakes can be really obvious.

Figure 12.15 Sketching Process #3 -Drawing the clocks

Figure 12.16 Sketching process #4- the finish clocks

Figure 12.17 Adding the rose petals

Colouring.

After I finished sketching, I then started to paint on the clocks first, using watercolour. I limited my colours (for the clocks) to only silver, gold black and white. 

Figure 12.18 Water colouring #1

Figure 12.19 Water colouring #2

Figure 12.20 Water colouring #3 

Figure 12.21 Water colouring #4 -colouring the petals with red and pink

Inking 

After I was done with colouring the elements, its time to move on to the statue. For the statue, I decided to use ink to draw on it as it gives a better effect than graphite or watercolour. To me it makes the whole piece have a better contrast. 

Figure 12.22 The finished inking

Figure 12.24 A close up. Cross hatching method was used. 

The Background

For the background, I was really hesitating a lot because I didn't know what would go well with the 'main attention'. I didn't want something that would be too striking as I thought that it will direct the attention away from the main subject. I tried to photoshop a galaxy as a background and I thought it didn't work. So I decided to go with a subtle colour of a sun rise/ sunset colour which are pink, orange yellow and a hint of gold and silver (to make it pop a little :) ). 

Figure 12.25 Reference of the colours 

Figure 12.26 Reference #2

The final outcome.

Figure 12.27 The Final Outcome

Feedback
 At first, Miss Sherry was quite reluctant of my idea as some of the things didn't make much sense and it was kind off weird to her. But then with research and some convincing, Miss Sherry decided to go with the idea. During the process of painting the clocks, she said that it looks like its going well so far. After showing her my final outcome, she said that my the colours really matched well together and also the background was quite suitable with the main subject. She also said that its really great how I manage to get an idea that related to greek mythology from just looking at a billboard and that I should send it to Swatch for them to see :D. All in all, The overall feedback was good.

That is it for Design Principles. Wow.  It was really a ride. I really learnt a lot in this course and I had a lot of fun doing all the assignments. I will honestly miss this class and our lecturers :( Anyways, Thats a Wrap for Design Principles :3