Design Principle - Task 3 (Development & Design)

Week 5 - Week 7 (03/03/25-17/03/25)
Felice Jolin (0373636)
Design Principle / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 3 - Development & Design

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TABLE OF CONTENT 

Instruction

Task 3 / Development & Design

Feedback

Reflection  

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INSTRUCTION

  

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TASK 3 - DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

We were required to develop our artwork based on the sketches from Task 2. The artwork could be developed through colour, composition, typeface  and positioning with applying design principle. Final design in A4, JPEG format, at least 300dpi and a 200 words rationale.

• Sketch

Fig 1.1 Sketch

• References

                                            Fig 2.1 Link                         Fig 2.2 Link                           Fig 2.3 Link

                                                 Fig 2.4 Link                        Fig 2.5 Link                        Fig 2.6 Link            

 

               Fig 2.7 Link                               Fig 2.8 Link            Fig 2.9 Link

 

 Fig 2.10 Link                         Fig 2.11 Link
 

• Development & Design

 
Fig 3.1 Moodboard

Fig 3.2 Outline #1

While looking at my sketch, I realize that I could unintentionally apply gestalt (figure & ground) into the design. I was drawing the wave at first, with curves, but I could look a posibility of applying gestalt. The figure & ground gestalt applied in where we can see the wave also a human drowned/trapped under. (Showcasing the worst scenario of can't let go, drowned yourself into death.)

Fig 3.3 Outline #2

Coloured and have options on the whale's tail shape and decided to go with the right one.

 

Fig 3.4 Colour

 

I proceed to Photoshop to make the background. I would like to have dark skies and rain. I use the brush tool to get the cloud textures, ligthning and using grain and path blur to make the rain.

Fig 3.5 Background #1

Fig 3.6 Background #2, #3, #4

Fig 3.6 Background #5

Back to Adobe Illustrator, I star to do detailing on tail coloring progress using brush tool.

Fig 3.7 Tail Colour #1

 

Fig 3.8 Tail Colour #2

 

Fig 3.8 Wave Colour #1

 

Fig 3.9 Wave Colour #2

 

Fig 3.10 Wave Colour #3

 

Next, after done coloring I add rain to the top layer 

 

Fig 3.11 Add rain layer

 

To add the final touch, I add grain texture in photoshop to add the intensity of the scene.

 

Fig 3.12 Add grain

I tried several angle of the boat and decided to go with number 4

 

Fig 3.13 Options

 

 

Final Design

 

Fig 4.1 FeliceJolin_Can'tLetGo_Task3

google drive link

  

Title : Can’t Let Go

Year : 2025

Artist : Felice Jolin 

Medium : Digital Art

Size : A4 (2480 x 3508 px)

 

Rationale 

  

"Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!"

Source : Link

 

Title : Can’t let go

I am really interested in the novel Mobi Dick as it has valueable life lessons and is very related to human situations. The quote above is telling that Captain Ahab would never stop persuing the whale. Insipred by that, I decided to go with theme of can’t let go to pour into my design. I would like to show because of his obssesion and can't let go the whale, he sink in his own anger and made a hell for himself (Captain Ahab casing the whale ; 1. Boat in high waves showed placing yourself in danger while casing for something impossible). How hard he tried to chase it, he cannot reach it (looks near yet so far). He didn't give up chasing and during the journey, he is going through circumstances where inevitably nature brings him to death (2. High wave represents threat). While for the size, the human is small contrasting with the massive whale's tail and wave to show danger. In addition, 3.We can see the wave as well as human drowned/trapped under (again here consequences of can't let go ; drowned yourself into death.) Furthermore, the boat with Captain Ahab is in all white colours to set contrast and emphasize it as the focus. In brief, I would like to convey what you will be going through and the worst scenario of can't let go. Also just because of that one desicion to revenge and refuse to let go, you are making your life miserable. 

 

Design Principles applied

This is an assymetrical balance design with large wave on the left complement by the whale's tail on the right. Contrast is also placed on the boat and human (only white colour) to emphasize it as the focal point. Contrast is also shown through the different sizes of elements (big whale's tail and wave ; small human). It is also shown balck as the backgroung with contrasting colour of blue tail and red waves which forms gestalt (figure & ground) ; could see wave and human drowned under. Furthermore, the scale difference is seen, the boat looks smaller compared to the whale, emphasizing the grande nature versus the small human. In addition, movement is applied, the curving waves create a strong sense of motion that leads us to see the human and to the whale's tail that represent the danger when you can't let go your obssesion. Another gestalt theory (closure) is seen. There is no full body of the whale, but with just little part of it our mind can tell itself. Lastly, rule of thirds is applied with the boat placed at the intersection of horizontal and vertical lines in the top left.

 

Fig 5.1 Assymetrical Balance

Fig 5.2 Contrast & Scale  Fig 5.3 Movement
Fig 5.4 Gestalt (figur &ground)

Fig 5.5 Gestalt (closure) 

 

Fig 5.6 Rule of Thirds

 

 

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FEEDBACK   

 

Week 6 : Good, cruve and linework are much more graceful than before. I like the background, nice and dark also showing strong gestalt. 

 

Week 7 : Dr.Charles said I can put in the catch phrase/quote from Mobi Dick in the rationale. Also I could explain why I put the boat and human in all white colours. Overall, it is a nice work.

 

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REFLECTION

 

Experience

I enjoyed the process of working on Task 3 as we are able to explore and be more creative to express our ideas. I was struggling at first to color it in Adobe Illustrator but later manage to get the result I wanted. Also becuase I am colouring it with brush and blur effect, it seems to be lagging and freeze sometimes when my process of colouring the wave. I think maybe because it is too heavy for my laptop.

 

Observation 

During the online class, I am able to see and learn from my peers, and realize how they see things, and interpret it in the design. It makes me have the sense of competitiveness and responsibility to work my best on the final artwork.

 

Findings

More variations/ideas is better to compare and see which one is the best in term of meaning and design principles applied. Lastly, I am very thankful grateful for Dr.CHarles that is very responsive for giving feedbacks starting from my ideas sketches and throughout the whole process.

 

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