Illustration and Visual Narrative-Task 2:Composition Continuous

Illustration and Visual Narrative-Task 2:Composition Continuous

29/05/2025 - 08/06/2025(Week 6 - Week 7)

YangShumeng 0378848

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

 

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Task 2:Composition Continuous

LISTS

-Lectures

-Instructions

-Task 2

-Reflection

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Lectures

Week 6

Exploring Gradients and Transparency in Illustrator

This week’s class introduced us to the creative possibilities of gradients and transparency effects in Adobe Illustrator.

Gradient Tool Basics

We learned how to activate the Gradient Tool by pressing the G key, which opens a range of color blending options to enrich our designs.

Types of Gradients:

• Linear Gradient:
  Transitions colors along a straight path — great for adding subtle depth or lighting effects.
• Radial Gradient:
  Colors spread out from a central point. You can easily reposition this point to create dynamic focal effects.
• Freeform Gradient:
  The most flexible option, allowing you to place multiple color points freely within a shape to achieve unique and expressive blends.

Gradient Mesh:

We also explored the powerful Gradient Mesh Tool, which offers precise control over color transitions inside shapes. By inserting mesh points, you can create complex shading and highlight effects — ideal for rendering naturalistic surfaces or 3D-like objects.

Transparency Modes:

Another key concept was using Transparency Modes (Blending Modes), which control how overlapping objects interact visually. Adjusting these modes allows you to create layered effects, soft glows, or subtle textures.

Combining the Pen Tool with Shapes:

Lastly, we experimented with integrating the Pen Tool into existing shapes. Depending on where you draw (beneath, over, or inside a shape), you can manipulate compositions in a much more layered and dynamic way.

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Week 7

Principles of Visual Composition and Perspective Drawing

This week focused on enhancing our understanding of visual storytelling through composition and perspective.

Visual Composition Essentials

• Narrative Alignment:
  The layout of an image should support its story. Choices in composition help set the mood and ensure that viewers emotionally connect with the scene.
• Visual Flow:
  Composition determines how the viewer’s eye moves across an image. By intentionally arranging elements, you can guide the audience through the piece in a natural, engaging rhythm.
• Visual Balance:
  While you can’t fully control where the eye will land first, thoughtful distribution of visual weight (through size, color, and positioning) can help maintain harmony within the design.
• Hierarchy and Focus:
  Establishing a clear visual hierarchy draws attention to what matters most. This can become a key emotional driver, helping tell the story more powerfully through the image’s structure.

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Mastering Perspective Techniques

One-Point Perspective:

• Concept:
  The simplest form of perspective, where all elements lead toward a single vanishing point on the horizon.
• Use:
  Excellent for creating scenes with deep visual space such as roads, hallways, or tunnels.

Two-Point Perspective:

• Concept:
  Incorporates two vanishing points on the horizon, offering more dimensionality and realism.
• Use:
  Ideal for rendering buildings or environments where depth and structure need to feel more natural and grounded.

Three-Point Perspective:

• Concept:
  Builds on two-point perspective with the addition of a third vanishing point (above or below the horizon) to create dramatic angles and heightened visual tension.
• Use:
  Perfect for emphasizing scale or creating cinematic, extreme viewpoints, such as looking up at skyscrapers or down from great heights.

Isometric Grid:

• Purpose:
  Unlike traditional perspective, isometric views maintain equal scale on all three axes, which is perfect for technical drawings or detailed design concepts where clarity and precision are key.

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Instructions

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TASK 2:

Sketches

 

 

-the kingdom

 

-the kingdom outside

 

-the forest

Scenes

 

 

The teacher asked us to choose one option to create a mood board.so i choose the kingdom one

moodboard

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Reflection

Throughout this task-based learning process, I not only developed technical proficiency in using gradients and filters, but also gained a fresh perspective on visual composition.
In the past, I tended to place elements simply where they appeared aesthetically pleasing. Now, I consciously consider the overall harmony of the composition. I ask myself whether the placement of each element serves a purpose and contributes to the image’s coherence, rather than relying solely on personal taste. This shift has also helped refine my aesthetic judgment.

When creating illustrations, I now apply techniques such as scale contrast and scene personification with greater skill and intention. These methods infuse each piece with a distinctive narrative quality, bringing otherwise static visual elements to life and allowing them to "tell" stories.
Through practical experience, I have found that such creative techniques make my illustrations more engaging and dynamic, helping to capture and sustain the viewer’s attention more effectively.