Illustration and Visual Narrative -

Illustration and Visual Narrative

|| 21/4/2025 – 25/5/2025 (Week 1 – Week 5)
|| BAI ZHUO QING, 0370042
|| Illustration and Visual Narrative
|| Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Lectures

Week 1

This week, Mr. Hafiz led us to learn the basic operations of Adobe Illustrator and explained the difference between raster and vector. Rasters are made up of pixels and will be distorted when enlarged; vectors are made up of paths and mathematical formulas and can remain clear no matter how many times they are enlarged. In addition, he also emphasized the importance of managing file links when importing materials, and introduced how to avoid the problem of path loss by "embedding".

We also learned common file formats: AI (Illustrator native format), PDF (convenient for cross-platform viewing), and EPS (suitable for typesetting software). In order to help us familiarize ourselves with the operation of the pen tool, the teacher arranged an exercise called Bezier Game, which allowed us to practice drawing curves in the form of games and improve the accuracy of path control.

Week 2

Classes are suspended this week due to the Labor Day holiday.

Week 3

The main task this week is to practice tracing with the pen tool. Teacher Hafiz provided a set of image materials generated by ChatGPT for us to trace in Illustrator. This not only trained our control over curves, but also strengthened our proficiency in operation. We reviewed common shortcuts, such as P to start the pen tool, V to switch to the selection tool, and Enter to close the path.

The teacher also shared some efficient drawing tips, such as: you can first use basic shapes to overlap the composition, and then use the Shape Builder tool (Shift+M) to merge and delete. When using this tool, hold down the Alt key to quickly delete unnecessary paths, which greatly improves work efficiency.

Week 4

This week we studied the coloring techniques in depth. The teacher explained how to use tools such as Live Paint, Shape Builder, Pathfinder, and also introduced the basic concepts of color matching. In the practical operation of Live Paint, we first prepared the outline layer (copy, lock, remove the outline, convert the path, and place it on top), and then used the tool to quickly fill the area with color.

In order to show the volume of the object, we used the pen tool to draw the shadow and highlight areas, and achieved a three-dimensional effect by layering and overlapping colors. In addition, Teacher Hafiz also briefly introduced the entry method of character design, and suggested that we start with geometric shapes to build the character's appearance to make it more recognizable and individual.

Week 5

This week, we learned about the classic art technique of Chiaroscuro. This technique creates depth and volume in a flat surface by contrasting light and shadow. The word Chiaroscuro comes from the Italian words "chiaro" meaning bright and "oscuro" meaning dark. It is widely used in painting to enhance the sense of volume and structure. Through this lesson, we have a better understanding of the importance of tonal differences in creating realism and visual expression, and it also provides a valuable foundation for future character rendering and background construction.

Instructions

Exercises 1：

First, the professor briefly introduced the functions and tools of Adobe Illustrator and assigned exercises and homework. The teacher asked us to use chat GPT to generate some pictures, and then use the pen tool to outline the pictures.

Fig. 1.1 — Characters generated using ChatGPT

The above characters are based on my own preferences and the cartoons I watched in my childhood, and I added my own ideas and let chat generate the pictures (except the Snow King). The Snow King was very cute when I was drinking Mixue Bingcheng one day, so I added some of my own ideas and modified it and generated it.

Then I started to draw the contour, but since I had never used this software before, it was very difficult for me at the beginning and I didn’t know how to start. However, after watching some videos to learn, I found it becoming easier and easier and completed the contour.

Fig. 1.2 — My process of outlining

Fig. 1.3 — My process of outlining

Final outline sketch after adjusting the lines：

Fig. 1.4 — Final outline sketch

After that I started to color and add highlights and shadows

Fig. 1.5 — Final version

Here is the mood board：

Fig. 1.6 — Dinosaur

Fig. 1.7 — Snow King

Fig. 1.8 — Ghost

Reflection :

This assignment gave me a deeper understanding of the creative process and greatly improved my ability to operate in Adobe Illustrator. Although I had a certain foundation in this software before, my proficiency has been significantly improved after Hafiz carefully explained various tools and techniques.

From drawing the outline of the first draft to adding the final highlights and shadows, each step prompted me to continuously improve my work efficiency. Although I encountered several software crashes during the process, these challenges have trained my patience and problem-solving skills in the design process, and made me more adaptable to dealing with emergencies in a real creative environment.

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BAI ZHUO QING 0370042