ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE (TASK 1): Vormator Challenge

ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE (TASK 1): Vormator Challenge

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23/09/2024 - 28/10/2024 (Week 1 - Week 5)

Irdhina binti Mazli Sham (0366894)

Illustration and Visual Narrative - Bachelor of Design in Creative Media - Taylors University

Task 1: Vormator Challenge

WEEK 1: Introduction + Instruction

We were given materials to revise before starting actual class the following week. These materials include the module information as well as several videos on using Adobe Illustrator and drawing. Two case studies were also provided by Mr. Hafiz; Malike Fevre and Tubik in Paris.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ys_y7oNt1SaQJ30t-l2b5idlODwjeshL/view?usp=sharing

WEEK 2: Tracing the Shapes

Fig. 1. Vormator shapes

Mr. Hafiz introduced us to Adobe Illustrator and had us engage with the Bézier game to familiarise ourselves with the Pen tool. The knowledge gained from the activity was further used to trace the eight shapes given for the Vormator challenge. I tried to trace the shapes before class to see the difficulty and after learning the actual way of using the pen tool, it is safe to say I had an easier time tracing the shapes with increased accuracy.

Fig. 2.1 & 2.2. Screenshots from the Bézier game

WEEK 2-3: Character Creation

Reference

I started the character creation process by looking up references to generate ideas on how to design my desired character. Considering my lack of familiarity with Pokemon and its numerous characters, I turned to other games such as Spiritfarer and Hades as they are both games I frequently play. 

Fig. 3.1. Spiritfarer by Thunder Lotus Games

Fig. 3.2. Spiritfarer characters [L to R]: Daffodil, Stella, Alice, Gustav, Gwen, Buck, Atul

Fig. 3.2. Hades by Supergiant Games

Fig. 3.4. Hades characters [L to R]: Zagreus, Thanatos, Achilles, Nyx

Ideation

Before designing, I tried practicing on the Vormator shapes by making simple silhouettes of different animals.

Fig. 4.1. Simple silhouettes made using Vormator shapes

After getting familiar with the shapes as well as Adobe Illustrator itself, I started sketching my character. Initially, they were supposed to be a small floating serpent who would bring you tea and carry around a potted plant. An alternative approach was giving them the role of a big carrier animal with the containers being used by villagers to collect fruits and herbs.

Fig. 4.2. Sketches of initial design done on Clip Studio Paint

Process

The general form of the body without accessories consist of two heads connected to each other by a void. Faolán's head is bigger than Faylinn and is made out of two Wursts and two Tentacles meanwhile Faylinn is made out of four Tentacles and two Drops. 

Fig. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3. Body of Faolinn with silhouette, skeleton and selection

The void would then be covered by a large scarf made using one Badge, two Zerks and several Drops and Bars for its fringe. An additional scarf was also added to improve their overall look.

Fig. 5.4, 5.5, 5.6. Body of Faolinn with their scarves (silhouette, skeleton, selection)

Two containers were made with one wide but short whereas the other is narrow but tall. Both of these containers were made using the Zerk, Wurst, Tentacle, Cobra and Badge. Both are attached to Faolinn with Faolán holding the wider container and Faylinn holding the narrower container.

Fig. 5.6, 5.7, 5.8. Body of Faolinn, complete with accessories (silhouette, skeleton, selection)

The additional step was to shade the character. Although it is not mandatory, I thought of doing it anyway to give more life to Faolinn. This is where pathfinder and shapebuilder became useful, pathfinder (divide) being used to decrease opacity of a combined shape whereas shapebuilder allows me to remove unwanted areas, similar to clipping mask.

Fig. 5.9. Body of Faolinn, complete (silhouette, shaded)

FINAL:

Faolinn - Faelán & Faylinn

Faolinn is a creature that is made up of two separate characters, Faelán and Faylinn, and uses space as a part of their body, in the most literal sense. Their massive size makes them suitable for transportation and shelter for smaller animals as well as the people that inhabit the same living space as them. Under all the scarves and pottery, you will find a reasonably size portal leading to a vacuum. That is where Faolinn and their previous colony resided before escaping. Although they can theoretically go back through the portal connected to their own form, it is agreed upon that they refrain from doing so for reasons unknown to anyone but themselves. After escaping, Faolinn and their colony went their separate ways with Faolinn being the only one actually documented by the people. 

Fig. 6.1. Faolinn's silhouette and their skeleton

Fig. 6.2. Faolinn's shaded design and their skeleton

Reflection

This assignment was used as both an opening to Illustration and Visual Narrative and Adobe Illustrator for me. It definitely broadened my limited knowledge on the software, particularly on the usage of Pen tool, pathfinder and shapebuilder. The character creation process also taught me the importance of a recognisable silhouette and using shape language to develop the character (either using it for or against the intended purpose). Moreover, I enjoyed this assignment as it involved creating our own character with little to no limitations when it comes to the design and story as long as we use the intended material. The Vormator challenge was definitely a fun and interesting experience, one that I would love to revisit in another time.