Apr 2019 – FAYE TIKIC

Apr 29, 2019May 13, 2019

Page Design Development

Developing page visuals

Fish

built layers of coloured pencil, watercolour and fine liner

I began this experimentation with coloured pencil as I felt I could control the colours well, as I went through this process I would scan the drawing into photoshop to see how it looked in different styles, this way I could see what I wanted to change and achieve that.

Above are the results from the coloured pencil illustration, I felt they were cool but lacked a polished air and needed a softer style so I attempted the same design in water colour. After scanning it into Photoshop, I found it lacked outline and form so I added a thin outline with fine liner. I found this held a much neater, brighter visual than my previous designs, especially when edited – I found they looked softer and more professional. Now I had my final design I was ready to experiment with colours, tools and styles, these can be seen in the slide show.

fish cut out layered to 5 and edge fidelity high 2

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Wave

Watercolour, coloured pencil and finer liner

This design used water colour and coloured pencil

adding fine liner to bring in definition. I prefered this as it helped the colours pop and become more vibrant.

After producing my first activity illustration, I had in mind what style and process I should maintain, I fist created my waves in watercolour, building layers of tone with coloured pencils. After scanning it in, I found it lacked definition so I added the fine liner. I found this instantly improved the illustration and matched the fish well, I then began to experiment with colours, tools and styles in photoshop which can be seen in the slide show below. I found it difficult to identify which style I preffered so this helped me visualise my options and note which tool and style was used to achieve it for final development.

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I tried out a variety of styles, filters and tools, exploring colour range to bring in a feel of pop to support my chosen theme. I liked the body of visuals from this though I felt these looked more so like childrens activity page, targeting a younger audience than desired.

I found that the style “cut out” works best for the illustrative and photographic work, I have been experimenting with it for cover design and feel it pushes the graphic style of the outcome, I like how it breaks the image into colours and shape making it look like a digital painting – This has been a very beneficial journey as this step will be part of the final process for content ilustration and cover design.

Landscape

After developing my steps, I thought about adding to the framing and display of the page, adding detail to the steps by editing the outline and positioning lines. I feel this looks much better than just a box. I then thought about how empty and colourless the page and how I could complete the page and visuals.

SCAN0087

I thought about the visuals and felt it would be nice to involve more imagery as the steps will be black and white. To do this I felt using examples of what could be done with the result would be beneficial so I did them in a variety of mediums:

– sharpie, watercolour, fine liner, pencil and colours pencil.

Examples for the page SCAN0089 I feel these will help add to the page and work well for inspiration though I do feel a little unsure on how I will compose the image in a minimalist and creative manor, I may need to illiminate certain images or rethink the design.

Apr 28, 2019May 13, 2019

Page Design and Visual Development

Stage one – Developing potential visuals

Using my content specification document I have been able to narrow down what subject should go with which activity. (Read the image captions to learn more)

Activity 1 – Learning a Language

I decided to use animals for this activity as they are universal and we approach them without knowing the same forms of communication, working with the theme of the exercise.

After selecting my chosen subject, I drew out a range of potential compositions and designs, creating a variety of options and examples.

After producing up to 8 of these designs, I developed my final design by combining my prefered areas into one. I admired the use of clouds on the bottom left side of the previous page combined with the circle, lines on the upper right and the fish from the bottom right of this image. I intend on bringing the design to life through bright colours using paints and pens.

I decided to chose a koi subject for my learning a language activity as it holds strong ties to Japan and works with the idea of being a fish out of water like being somewhere without knowing the spoken language. I also chose this specifically as it represents determination, ambition and independence as the Koi is known for travelling against the current and swimming upstream, therefore I feel it is an in context subject.

Activity – Mindful Colour

I began developing potential boarders and different imagery.

I focused on leaving space and framing, I feel these are more practical but I feel they lack in design.

I started this using ideas of bamboo, koi, clouds and waves; I felt the waves worked best as they hold expression in themselves and represent flow and continuous change. By parting the waves as a frame for the creative drawing or expression, I felt I could indiciate a time for yourself, almost as though we are parting the chaos for a minute of peace.

Activity – Drawing a Landscape

I felt using a natural landscape would be a camling subject for the viewer and so I mocked up some potential compositions for development.

After producing up to 12 of these examples I looked at each consdering how hard each one would be as well as how this would be broken down into steps using only four boxes.

I decided to chose the second design down on the right of my first page as it is very minimal yet detailed enough and can be transferable with its contents, making it a helpful task for the individual. I started breaking the drawing into steps, this was difficult as there are many ways to start this drawing and I felt certain subjects like the man and boat needed their own step by step boxes..

I tried out two different examples of steps to decide which would be easiest to aproach, working with my sister to see how she went on and help me decided which selection of steps is most effective..

I decided to go with the first set of steps, starting with the mountains. After I thought again about breaking down imagery into theyre own steps but I felt this could be ressolved by directional instructive accomanying text.

I focused on drawing simple natural Japanese landscapes for this activity, working well with my minimalist nature theme. I also feel landscape drawing is a good place to start as a beginner, as this doesn’t require symmetry or precision making it a basic starting point for people to begin drawing through steps.

Apr 26, 2019Apr 26, 2019

Magazine Design Development

After exploring a variety of artists, artworks, styles and processes I have been able to identify what I want to design and which elements I can use to achieve this.

Content subjects for design:

Nature through symbolism –

Bamboo – represent progression, japan and advancement
Bonsai trees – represents growth, disciplin and training
Water, sea, lakes, ponds, rivers – represents life, peace, waves, flow
Natural landscape, hills, sky, trees – represents clarity, environment, outisde lens
Seasons – represents time and change
Flowers – represents time, patience and blossoming

index

shapes:

I feel these shapes symbolise concepts of challenege, and continuous change so are optional for use in development.

waves
steps
circles
vines
spirals

Animals

Koi fish – means luck and good fortune in japan
domestic animals: cats, dogs – popular in japanese printing
cats or Maneki-neko – good look charm in Japan and China
panda – in china and japan this represents friendship-
Birds: – longetivity and luck in japan
–owls: protection from suffering
-roosters: sacred bird in japan for tempting the sun godess
-cranes: promotes good health and fortune

crane_adult_1200x675

koi

Apr 25, 2019Apr 27, 2019

Page Development

24/04/19

Activity content development

I have produced some mock up pages for my activities, exploring composition, form and space in each design. I was mainly thinking about the layouts and content of each page before I develop the visuals. After mocking up three design for each activity, I am able to understand what I need to do in order to develop clean clear practical pages. I will ask up to 10 individuals which lay outs are prefered to confirm direction.

Activity one: Learning a new language

Design 1

Here I used a variety of natural visuals, exploring plants and nature. I thought about what language would be taught which at this time would be Japanese, however that got me thinking about teaching other languages in future issues, so I decided to display other countries and names. I feel like this could be confusing so I decided to leave it in my upcoming designs. In terms of practical content I thought about how I would teach them on paper so I displayed the english and japanese adjecent for clear display along with small note on pronunciation, however I didn’t think this was practical enough. I liked the visuals and fullness of the design but feel it needs tidying up and expanding on.

Design 2

Here I wanted to produce a similar page with more practicality, using minimal visual stimulation and more page space. I decided to use coy fish shapes, waves and huts in a way that could contain the exercise and hold it together. I contributed more directional text such as “repeat me three times” in the pronunciation section which I feel adds more practiciality within the process. I didnt want to use as much text as to keep it self-explanitory and visual so I feel this is a nice balance. I feel it would be a good idea to display how to work through each activity perhaps in the contents page to avoid messing up the pages. I like the effect of this design as it looks like a planned exercise which is important though I do feel the imagery and details needs adding to.

Design 3

Here I wanted to take a more so visual approach, using a main illustrated design in the centre with symbolic ties to the activity. I used the theme of nature and japan, displaying road to freedom as a creative title to learning a new language. I prefer the creative take as it lightens the aesthetic and adds to the quirky fun feel, I could also use the visual as a colouring exercise. I like this design but feel it is simiar to the first in that it lacks practicality however I thought about adding two more words so the individual would have one a week till the next issue comes out furthering the effectivity of the exercise.

Activity two: Mindful Colouring

Design 1

Here I thought about what mediums the individual would use, I feel paint would be ideal for this however I want it to be friendly to felt-tips, coloured pencils and crayons. In my workshop, I gave everyone a blank piece of paper to work on so I thought about providing a blank space for expression, decorated with nature and example pieces from my workshop. I felt this would be a great idea as the individuals could add to the decorations too if they wanted. I thought about providing an inspiration box full of brush strokes and lines of crayon and sharpie. I feel this holds great potential but i got thinking about how some people would rather a contained illustration to lose themselves in so I thought about responding to that next.

Design 2

Here I created an abstract surrealst landscape, drawing from my theme and using modern arts shapes for a contemporary feel, it almost reminds me of my war work and ideas of using cubism and comauflage, I feel this could still be a good idea if I was to take an illustration route. By breaking the image into shapes and fragments, the individual can express themselves and engage until the picture is complete. I’m having difficulty thinking about which approach to go for, using an illustration or a blank space. In my next design I will focus on combining the two.

Design 3

Here I decided to use the entire page as its own contained illustration, composing two panels of space for expression. By placing the panels in the centre, the individual can further the illustration and connect the missing space or use it express their own pieces. I feel this resolves my problem however I don’t think a narrow space would work for expression, I could maybe expand the boxes or display one for expression with an accomanying illustration. I will ask the individuals during a survey which they would prefer.

Activity three: how to paint a landscape

Design 1

Here I thought about the activity in depth, and how they would be limited to paint which isn’t fair, so I thought about the idea of changing it to drawing a landscape with the option of painting if they want to, this makes sure everyone can contribute and engage. I started by referencing my primary magazine work, specifically the how to: tutorials in my painting magazine, these would all be displayed in clear boxes separated into steps as a demonstration for you to work alongside. I feel this doesn’t hold much excitement or context and could do with more detail and perhaps space to respond to. I do admire the practicality of the page.

Design 2

I then designed a basic page of visuals, using the overall result as the background with panels of space for the steps, I have realised that I need to provide them with response space which would need to go on another page, this would look like the official activity with blank spaces rather than evolving images. I feel this could be developed further through visuals. I need to think more about the image we would be drawing as well, I think using an image from one of my trips would work well, building on some values in each step teaching them the basics to drawing which they can then use on other subjects of their imagination.

Design 3

Here I used the practicality of the first design combined with the background illustration idea in the second, I then used the composition of steps with the boxes to further the design detail and composition. Over all I like the composition and feel it works well in terms of approachability. I feel the page looks the most methodical and complete out of the three but it would be good to provide some inspiration boxes like in my previous designs. I will be asking my peers and friends about their thoughts on each before I finalising a composed layout and structure for each.

Final Aesthetic for samples

Updated inspiration for activities and cover design

Apr 23, 2019May 13, 2019

Expanded Inspiration

Inspired by Ella Joosten

I felt inspired by Ella Joosten’s work as she paints colourful japan in a traditional yet modern manor, I felt captivated by her geisha work, using narrow panels and the backs, sides of their forms in pop colours. I wanted to capture a similar air with my own work, using contemporary recreations, I studied the shapes and composition in her work and was able to capture a likeness. I focused on the forms such as length of clothing, fabric design and composition of the fabric and hair. I really admire this outcome, I feel by planning what I wanted I was able to achieve full potential, I want to keep working with this subject further experimenting with similar subjects and styles.

I was able to do this photoshoot in southport by the water, capturing a few more images, I will continue editing these to explore potential, I feel I could now create illustrations inspired from these so I have a lot of options and feel it needs to be narrowed down.

Inspired by Osawa Yu-dai

Looking on the japanese graphic design website, I found some key suggestions on how to create a quirky japanese inspired design, using a bonsai from my primary photography I began playing with the abstract nature of Osawa’s work, using colour panels and bright tone to form a new design. I liked the outcome of this and feel some text would finish it off well. I am definitely sure on using colour panels and layers as it helps build on the design.

(To make this I cut around my shape, changed the exposure and edited the pot using selection and filters to make highlights. I then used lightly transparent sections to alter the colours of the tree and I did the same along the background, I flattened the image when I was happy and then changed the exposure on the overall design to brighten the aesthetic, next time I would plan the photography and design to fulfil potential, ensuring I know what I want)

Artwork inspiration – refresh updated artist research

I have taken some images from a japanese graphic design website and have been responding to some points and artists in development, these have been “un and co”, “Osawa Yu-dai” and “Ella Joosten” above you can see some results.

Pop design

I have gathered some more work that links with my result feedback, I have attached the artist name to the images so I can further research what gets me most inspired. I gathered a range of pop graphic design and minimalist natrue to fulfuil desired outcome.

Traditional Japan

Artistic vector illustration of koi carps couple in water

Experimentation

comic illustration

I decided to respond to some growing ideas in my sketchbook to further my visuals and keep my ideas developing, I felt inspired to use comics as I’m exploring pop art themes so I used some of my old comics for experimental material, creating my own sharpie illustrations with my new chisel tip pen. I felt this was fun as I havn’t been doing much illustration and i feel like they stand out well. I do feel that they don’t respond to my visual feedback as they aren’t nature orientated but I like the idea of using black simple illustrations over colour.

Tin Foil Painting

SCAN0005

After my activities workshop I had left over materials from their work, I provided everyone with tin foil to put their colours on. During the last task I asked everyone to use up their remaining paints and I was left with some interesting pieces of colourful tin foil – I didn’t want to throw these away even tho I used tin foil for simple tidying up, so I used them as paper for illustration. I focused on the forms of colour and worked into the shapes that were there, I then highlighted some areas with white. I felt this could be an interesting experiment for the visuals of activities but I again don’t feel they hold the right aesthetic; the landscape one fits nicely. I intend on experimenting a little with them in digital but this process has helped me understand further what I need to be making and what I want to make: funky landscape design.

Felt Making

SCAN0006

As I was experimenting I thought about making something different to scan in to push development, I made this using cotton and soap working/matting together my fabrics, I used bright primary colours on grey to contrast. I thought about sewing into it and adding to it day by day, creating a piece made through the concept of kaizen however I started to feel digital exploration is the way forward for a professional fitting outcome.