Task 3: Development & Design

 

03/03/25 - 17/03/25 (Week 5-Week 7)

Alicia Lo Yann Wei / 0357917

Design Principles / Bachelor of Mass Communications in Digital Media Production (Hons)

Task 3: Development & Design 

1. This is the Module Information Booklet for this module.

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2. Recap of Task 3

I have to create a design based on the idea that I proposed in Task 2. This process requires me to apply my understanding of design principles throughout both the development phase and the final execution. 

3. Original Poster

Up Movie Poster Print Wall Art 8x10 11x17 16x20 22x28 24x36 27x40 Asner Plummer

4. Sketch Selection & Refinement

I selected the third sketch from my previous task, aiming to refine it further by adding more elements and ensuring a more cohesive composition.

Fig 1.1 Sketch 3 from Task 2

5. Development Process

Development Application: Adobe Illustration 

I initially used Image Trace to outline an original poster that closely matched the positioning I envisioned in my sketch. This helped establish a strong foundation for composition and movement, as I adjusted Carl’s posture to create a more dynamic and engaging arrangement.

Fig 2.1 3D Image Trace

Upon receiving feedback from Mr. Shamsul, I was advised to adapt the characters into a flatter, more stylized form. To achieve this, I referenced another poster and reworked Carl’s positioning, reinforcing contrast and emphasis by ensuring his silhouette remained distinct. 

Fig 3.1 Outline of Carl's Head

Fig 3.2 Colour Added 

Fig 3.3 Outline of Carl's Body 

For Russell, I used the Pen Tool to manually trace and refine his outline, maintaining unity through a consistent visual style.

Fig 4.1 Russell's Outline

Fig 4.2 Reflected Russell's Outline

Fig 4.3 Positioning Russell with Carl

REFERENCE

Fig 4.4 'Up' Illustration by KevinFagaragan 

https://mx.pinterest.com/pin/963770389011704756/

Next, I applied color to both Carl and Russell. While the original poster featured highly saturated, vibrant hues, I opted for a softer pastel palette. This decision not only created a more harmonious and balanced color scheme but also subtly shifted the contrast to emphasize key elements without overwhelming the viewer. The change in color also reinforced symbolism, as the pastel tones evoked a nostalgic and dreamlike quality.

Fig 5.1  Example of Pastel Colours 

Fig 5.2  Applied Pastel Colours

For the house and balloons, I traced the outline of another reference poster, ensuring that these elements remained central to the composition. Instead of drawing each balloon individually, I utilized repetition by clustering them together in varying sizes and positions. This technique enhanced rhythm and movement, guiding the viewer’s eye naturally upward, reinforcing the uplifting theme of the design.

Fig 6.1 Outline of House

Fig 6.2 Applied Colour to House

Fig 6.3 Added Balloon

REFERENCE

Up Movie Poster Print Wall Art 8x10 11x17 16x20 22x28 24x36 27x40 Asner Plummer

Once all elements were combined, I carefully adjusted their placement to emphasize directional movement—from the floating house at the top down to the characters below. This arrangement strengthened the overall Gestalt principle, where individual elements work together to form a cohesive whole.

Fig 7.1 Rough Layout 

After finalizing the layout, I refined the characters further by adding shadows and additional details to create depth and emphasis. 

Fig 7.2 Added Shadows & Details 

Finally, I positioned the title near the house, mirroring the original poster while ensuring typographic balance and clear word-image relationship. I choose Cloudee font from Dafont that exactly fits the idea of  intergrating the words into the background of the poster, which slightly different from the original poster itself. 

Fig 8.1 Cloudee Font 

Fig 8.2 Cloudee Font, 200 pt, Tracking 57

6. Final Design

<Alicia Lo Yann Wei_Up in the Sky_Task 3>

A4 size (595.35 x 841.995 pt)

JPEG Format 

300 dpi 

RGB mode

PDF format

7. Rationale 

I designed this poster to capture the fun and adventurous spirit of Up while adding my own artistic style. Instead of using a detailed 3D look like the original, I went for a flatter and more cartoon-like approach. This choice was based on feedback that suggested a simpler and cleaner style would work better. I also adjusted Carl and Russell’s positions to make the scene feel more dynamic, as if they are really floating in the sky. The colors were softened into a pastel palette to give the design a warmer and more nostalgic feel.

The goal of this design is to show the themes of adventure, friendship, and moving forward. Carl is holding onto the hose tightly, showing his hesitation, while Russell looks excited, symbolizing his eagerness for adventure. The house and balloons represent dreams and memories, making them an important part of the composition.

Movement is created through the characters’ positions and the way elements flow upward. Balance is maintained by evenly placing the house and characters. Contrast is used in the bold outlines and color choices. Repetition in the balloons adds rhythm and unity. The word and image relationship makes sure the title blends well with the design, while harmony is achieved by using a consistent pastel color scheme to tie everything together.

8. Feedbacks

After receiving feedback from Mr. Shamsul in Week 6, I was advised to simplify the characters into a flatter, more stylized design. In Week 7, he reminded me to include the title in the poster, but overall, the composition already had a strong sense of movement, so only minimal adjustments were needed.