Illustration and Visual Narrative: Task 3 Illustrated Typography Poster

 Illustration and Visual Narrative: Task 3 Illustrated Typography Poster

 25/9/24 - 11/10/24  (Week 7 - Week 10)

Alicia Lo Yann Wei (0357917)

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Digital Media Production

LECTURES & TUTORIALS

Week 7 / Lecture: Transitions

Law of Closure describes how humans have a natural inclination to perceive incomplete or fragmented visual elements as a complete object.

 

Figure 1.1 Examples of Law of Closure

Continuity

Figure 1.2 Examples of Continuity

Scott McLoud's Transitions

Figure 1.3 Examples of Scott McLoud's Transitions

Week 7-10 / Tutorials & Exercises

During tutorial classes, Mr. Hafiz introduced us illustrated typography poster that requires applying four key techniques: intertwine, clipping mask, 3D effects, and warping. He provided an overview of the assignment and demonstrated how to use these tools effectively.

Intertwine & 3D Effects:

Firstly, I practiced the intertwine technique by using my name and intertwining it with a line. This involved selecting both elements and defining specific areas where the text and line overlapped. 

Figure 2.1 Intertwine Technique

After setting up the intertwine, I enhanced the text further by applying 3D effects, adding depth and dimension.

Figure 2.2 3D Effects

Clipping Mask:

I also used the clipping mask technique to add texture to my design. First, I created a star shape using the shape tool. Then, I found a gold textile texture from Google and placed it behind the star shape. To integrate the texture with the star, I applied the clipping mask by selecting both the star and the texture and then going to Object > Clipping Mask > Make. 

Figure 2.3 Clipping Mask 

Shape Builder:

I used the Shape Builder Tool to create a silhouette of a fish. First, I drew an ellipse and adjusted its shape using the corner anchor points. I duplicated the ellipse a few times and used the Pathfinder tool to divide them into separate pieces. By holding Alt, I removed the unwanted shapes. Then, I used the Merge function in Pathfinder to combine the fish body parts into one shape and cut it into three pieces. 

Figure 2.4 Shape Builder & Pathfinder

Envelope Distort:

After completing the fish shape, I created the word 'fish' using text and applied Envelope Distort to curve the text into the shape of the fish, integrating the typography seamlessly with the design.

Figure 2.5 Envelope Distort

Task 3: Illustrated Typography Poster

Task Description

For this assignment, we are tasked with selecting a daily quote and designing it as a poster, focusing on creative typography to visually represent the message. We are also required to use sans-serif fonts from Google Fonts, allowing us to highlight the essence and mood of the quote through design choices.

• The Quote I Chose: "Hope has wings, it can fly" 

Fonts Used:

• Red Rose (Bold) - on the word 'hope'.
• Signika Negative on the remaining words. 

Process

1. Research/Inspiration 

Before starting my sketches, I browsed through Pinterest for inspiration and came across the "Fly High" poster from Haikyuu. That sparked the idea of focusing on the keywords "fly" and "wings", like reaching towards the sky.

Figure 3.1.1 'Fly High'

While exploring further, I found an inspiration like the word 'hope' wrapped around the hand, but felt it lacked depth without additional elements. This led me to connect my initial inspiration with the idea of "hope has wings can fly," a quote that perfectly aligned with the vision I wanted to bring to life in a typographic poster

Figure 3.1.2 'Hope' Inspiration

Final Quote: Hope has Wings Can Fly

2. Sketches 

As I began sketching, I found the concept of hope wrapped around the hand felt a bit flat, as there didn’t seem to be enough space for the other words. 

Figure 3.2.1 Initial Sketch

After receiving feedback from Mr. Hafiz, who suggested moving the word "hope" closer to the top right corner and positioning the wings behind the hand, I reworked my sketches to incorporate this change, making the design feel more dynamic.

Figure 3.2.2 Final Sketch

3. Working in Photoshop

Since I didn’t choose Digital Photography and Imaging as my module, I had to visualize the image by myself. 

When I moved to Photoshop, I downloaded an image with a small hole at the top where light was coming through, symbolizing hope emerging from darkness. I expanded the hole to allow more light to pour through, adding blue and white light to create a glorious effect. 

Figure 3.3.1 Progress 1.0

However, when I placed the hand image, I noticed the hand’s tone didn’t quite match the vibe of the image. I adjusted the opacity and color intensity to make the hand blend more naturally with the scene.

Figure 3.3.2 Final Progress 

4. Working in Illustrator

After importing the image from Photoshop, I began focusing on the typography. First, I typed out the word "hope" and applied a blue tone to it, reflecting the blue sky visible at the top of the design and the blue light coming through the hole.

Figure 3.4.1 'Hope' 

Figure 3.4.2 Color Tone Reference

Next, I applied 3D effects to the word "hope" by using the Extrude tool, tilting it along the X-axis by 20 degrees with blue color tone. 

Figure 3.4.3 'Hope' 3d Effects

To further integrate the elements and create a cohesive composition, I used the Pencil Tool to draw lines that connected the words with the hands in the image. These lines intertwined with both the typography and the hands, symbolizing how hope and growth are intertwined with our actions and experiences.

Figure 3.4.4 Hand Intertwine

Next, to tie the typography and symbolism together, I placed two wings around the word "hope," with the wings subtly intertwining with the letters themselves. This visual element helped to reinforce the idea of hope taking flight, giving the word a sense of movement and energy. 

Figure 3.4.5  'Hope has wings can' Intertwine

For the remaining words in the design, I wanted to create a glowing, ethereal effect that would enhance the light coming from the hole above. 

To achieve this, I applied several effects in Illustrator. First, I used Plastic Wrap to give the text a glossy, textured look, making it appear more luminous. I then added a Drop Shadow to create a sense of depth and separation between the text and the background, helping the words stand out. To emphasize the light shining down, I applied a Feather effect, softening the edges of the words, and a Diffuse Glow to give the impression of a gentle radiance surrounding the text, mimicking the way light would scatter when it enters a dark space.

Figure 3.4.6 Effects Added

I also incorporated the Clipping Mask technique into my design. To do this, I used a gray textile as the background and applied the clipping mask specifically to the letters "F" and "Y." This allowed the texture to seamlessly fill these letters, adding depth and a tactile element to the typography. 

Figure 3.4.7 Clipping Mask

FINAL OUTCOME:

MOODBOARD

REFLECTION

Experience

Working on this typographic poster allowed me to explore new features in Adobe Illustrator, including Intertwine, Envelope Distort, and 3D effects. While not all of these tools were used in the final design, experimenting with them broadened my skills and gave me the ability to add more depth and creativity to my typography. I also gained a deeper understanding of how these tools can help express ideas more effectively, especially when applied to typography.

Observation

Selecting the quote for my poster was a reflective process. I wanted to choose something that not only fit the assignment but also held personal meaning. I pushed myself to create something outside my usual style. One of the challenges was designing a vintage signboard artwork set in a snowy night, using mainly blue tones. This experience allowed me to experiment with how different shades of blue could be used to create atmosphere and bring focus to the composition, which was a valuable learning experience.

Finding

Although the assignment combined both photography and typography, I didn’t need to include photography in my design due to my credit transfer. Nonetheless, seeing how my peers integrated photography with typography was inspiring and showed me different ways of approaching the project.

Overall, this project has been a great opportunity to refine my design skills and experiment with new techniques in typography. It pushed me to think more creatively, and I’m happy with the result, as it also connects with my personal growth and experience.