Illustration and Visual Narrative - Task 2: Decisive Moment
16/10/2024 - 1/11/2024 (Week 4 - Week 6)
Chang Wing / 0367807
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 2: Decisive Moment
Table of Content:
1. Lectures
Lectures
Lecture slides introduced the 3-Act Structure, a classic narrative framework that divides a story into three distinct parts: Setup, Conflict, and Resolution. It’s commonly used in storytelling for books, films, and plays to provide a clear and engaging narrative arc.
Before starting, I created a gradient background in Adobe Illustrator using the gradient mesh tool. Just experimenting on the gradient features.
Figure 2.2 Character Story Board
According to Framed Ink, a character's looking direction directs viewers sight to certain degree. In this case, I made my character facing right, as if its prey may show up from that direction or as if he's gazing his prey through the bush.
In the Winter Forest, a deceptively beautiful yet deadly realm that feeds on the energy of its prey, every element are influenced by the power of the Frozen Warden. The entire landscape glows in an eerie spectrum of colours, each reveals the type of energy absorbed from different creatures. The glows serves as the only light source in the forest, the sun is no way around.
I decided not to include the plants in my final artwork to prevent the composition from feeling overcrowded with different elements. I have brighten up the colours of the trees behind Toromi so it's hair strand colours won't blend with them. I also added crystals with monochromatic colours so it won't feel as messy as the previous versions.
I drew inspiration from the authentic design of a Pokémon card, opting for the classic, basic layout to maintain a familiar and nostalgic feel.
I designed 2 logos for the pokemon type symbol. I stated that Toromi's weakness is flame type in the pokemon card.
2. Instructions
3. Task
4. Reflection
Lectures
Week 4
Lecture slides explained how various perspectives evoke distinct visual impressions. For example, a two-point perspective angled from a low viewpoint looking upward conveys a sense of grandeur and power, while an isometric view reveals detailed aspects of three sides of a design, and also offers a more comprehensive and structured view of the subject.
Figure 1.1 Types Of Perspective
Figure 1.2 Isometric View
Week 5
Lecture slides explained the importance of having Foreground, Middleground and Background. It creates sense of movement, and rhythm in design, guiding the viewer's eye along leading lines that connect each plane, enhancing engagement and flow throughout the composition,
Figure 1.3 Depth Of Field
Week 6
Figure 1.4 The 3-Act Structure
Instructions
Task 2: Decisive Moment
Figure 2.1 Gradient
Background Sketch
Figure 2.2 Character Story Board
I drafted out a sketch to have an idea of how my composition will look like.
Figure 2.3 Sketches + Rationale + Reference Board
Figure 2.4 Character Storyboard + Sketches + Rationale + Reference Board (PDF)
Framed Ink Reference
I positioned my character along the right third of the frame, but slightly closer to the center to make the character feel more dominant, as Toromi is depicted as a monster that holds the powerful magic of The Warden.
Similar to Framed Ink, enlarging the character relative to other elements enhances their visual strength, making Toromi appear formidable and commanding within the composition.
Figure 2.5 Framed Ink
According to Framed Ink, a character's looking direction directs viewers sight to certain degree. In this case, I made my character facing right, as if its prey may show up from that direction or as if he's gazing his prey through the bush.
Figure 2.6 Rule Of Third (Left), Character looking right (Right)
Figure 2.7 Framed Ink
Figure 2.8 Framed Ink
Colour Palette
My colour palette are composed of mainly cool colours such as blue, magenta and purples to evoke the chilling atmosphere of The Winter Forest. It also create a tranquil mood that draws the viewer into the frosty, mysterious landscape.
Figure 2.9 Colour Palette For Final Artwork
Variations
I tried with different colour placements and illustrated what's in my initial sketch. Comparing version 4 to version 1, 2 and 3, it feels less crowded without the plants and crystals and I like its color placement so I chose the 4th version to work on.
Figure 2.10 Designs
Final Background
I added an overlay of gradient with white in the middle and dark purple around to the background to mimic the effect of fogs, adding a sense of mysterious to the environment.
Figure 2.11 Final Background Design
Final Character + Background
Figure 2.12 Final Composition
Final Pokemon Card
Figure 2.13 Final Pokemon Card
Figure 2.14 Pokemon Card (Reference)
Toromi’s vulnerability to flame attacks could stem from his deep connection to The Winter Forest and The Frozen Warden's magic, which are tied to cold and ice. His powers and very essence are rooted in frost and winter, making fire an opposing force that disrupts his magical nature. Flames, representing warmth and life, could threaten to melt away the icy magic that sustains him, leaving him weakened or even destabilizing his connection to the Winter Forest.
This logo resembles the form of flame.
The Mark Of Warden resembles the form of snow flakes, relating to The Winter Forest's weather. Its design is divided into three distinct, disconnected pieces, symbolizing the Warden's power to sever connections and splitting memories from consciousness, bodies from souls, and dreams from reality.
Figure 2.15 Flame Type Logo
This fractured emblem reflects the Warden's cruel mastery over isolation, leaving those under his control trapped in a frozen limbo where unity and wholeness are forever out of reach.
Figure 2.16 The Mark Of Warden
Reflection
Creating a monster creature for a Pokemon card design challenged me to think critically about character design, story development, and visual composition. This task was to conceptualise a unique creature with distinct abilities and powers. I wanted the monster to feel original yet fitting within the Pokemon universe, so I brainstormed attributes that would make it memorable.
The part I enjoyed most was developing Toromi’s backstory, where we could unleash our creativity within a fantasy setting. I liked the bittersweet narrative I crafted for Toromi --a creature who, in pursuit of warmth, love, and family, sacrificed its body to attain what it yearned for. Through this tragic tale, I wanted to evoke a sense of reflection, encouraging others to cherish the love in their lives and remind of the lengths some will go to feel the warmth of belonging.
Throughout this project, I learned how composition principles play a crucial role in expressing a character’s personality. Carefully following perspective rules can make the background more in-depth and realistic. It also helped build a visual story around the character, enhancing both atmosphere and storytelling within the illustration.
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