Project 1: Self-Portraits

18/01/2022-20/01/2022 (Week 4)

Brigita Maria/0352958

Design Principle/ Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Introduction & Exercise 1

Jumplinks 🦿

1.1 The Foundation

1.2 Drafting and Rough Sketch

1.3 Digital Sketch

1.4 Final Thoughts

Instruction

1.1 The Foundation

For our first project, Mr. Charles told us to do some self-portrait. We can do anything to start this project, either do some personality test, or quizzes, even photoshoots to get some inspiration on how to design this self-portrait.

I did some research on how people do portrait themselves. There are 2 ways. 1 one is to look at your real self picture, using camera; and the other way is from your own mind, what do you think you look like, how you feel about yourself.

I saw this T*ktok the other day, where this artist drew himself a portrait from a picture of herself and the other one he drew based on what he thinks he looks like. They say that the drawing that they referenced from the real picture looks like them, but it did not feel like it looked like them.... Very abstract, but it is what they felt after they looked at both of the drawing.

link to the video T*ktok: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSecgVsnf/

This gave me the idea of drawing a portrait not based on my real appearance, but of what I felt and my inner values, not the physical value.

I've decided to do some personality dig and traits that actually really defines me. The one thing or personality I might say, that is quite dominant in me. Also somehow navigate me to the way I am now, is I always wanted to look good Infront of people, always helping people, giving them light, and always pleasing people. I didn't took care of myself and my mental health, and thought it is not a big of a deal.

This somehow eating up my mental and physical strength. Didn't realize that this is causing me to slowly disintegrate and lost myself. Somehow I can picture like being a candle that is shining and giving lights to people. Yet, slowly melts and in the end unable to shine anymore. So that is the foundation of what will be my self-portrait.

I manage to do some online test on my myself. Know about more myself, cause who knows me better than the internet am I right?

Figure 1.1.1 My 16personalities test result

Figure 1.2.2 My 16personalities test result (https://www.16personalities.com/profiles/c4963960c1ce7)

From this test I learn that I am a Diplomat, meaning I care about helping and connecting with others. Prioritize being kind and generous, and in general, and rather cooperate than compete. Empathy seems to come naturally. It can almost seem as if their hearts and minds resonate with other people’s emotions. This definition itself is very true.

And they also added, and I quote, "Among friends and family, Diplomat personalities can range from quietly caring to brightly gregarious. Unfortunately, their open hearts can make them vulnerable when others are inconsiderate. That said, these types wouldn’t have it any other way. Someone must trust first, and Diplomats will almost always volunteer." (16pesonalities website)

From the test analysis, I learn that I am the person that care about helping and connecting with other people and prioritize them. That can assure my previous feeling, that I tend to care about other and what people see of me. Am I nice? caring enough? good enough for them? and so on....

1.2 Drafting and Rough Sketch

I pitched the idea to Mr. Charles and gave him a idea sketch of what I am thinking. I was thinking a melting candle but in the shape of a girl (a.k.a ME), and metaphorically I am melting for other people so that they still got the fire and the light to help them and other people will like me and see the good in me.

Figure 1.2.1 Rough sketch of the candles

He said it can be done in a line to make a continuity principle. It can be from tall to short. Or even Going up and down like a roller coaster.

Figure 1.2.2 Mr. Charles' suggestion on candle position

Figure 1.2.3 Mr. Charles' suggestion

Then his last idea and suggestion is to make an animation of the candle burning with musing being looped like in youtube.

And this sketch somehow reminded me of a singing scene in Hercules. Where Mega and the Muses sing's a song. The muses being the stone statue, that represents the continuity that Mr. Charles mentioned.

Figure 1.2.4 (I won't Say I'm In Love song) Mega and the Muses

Figure 1.2.5 (I won't Say I'm In Love song) the Muses

1.3 Digital Sketch

Figure 1.3.1 Rough digital sketch

This is the initial idea of the piece. The candles are lined up horizontally, with no dimension/perspective. It has a varying heights. But it lines from tall to short. Looking at the piece, I felt it is quite unorganized and messy. I try to find the best placement for the candles. Looking at some of the design principles, I thought a hierarchy principle suites well in this piece. Making the middle candle stands the tallest.

Figure 1.3.2 Sketch of hierarchy candles

In this sketch, the idea was the candles are giving their light and their body to the middle candle. So, it'll not die out and keep on shining. Putting the wick in their hands to symbolizes the candles giving their light to the middle. But when I did the coloring, I realize the wick of the candles can not be placed in all of the hands hand position doesn't make sense. And I didn't want to redo the hands. Repositioning the wick/fire is the best solution. In the end, I decided to do it this way.

Figure 1.3.3 Color blocking

Then I added figure inside the flames. Each figure symbolizes the reasoning of the candle burning and melting my candle.

Figure 1.3.4 Adding effect and refining line work

Figure 1.3.5 Adding highlights and texture

Then I add some highlights, shadows, and textures to the piece to bring out this art piece more alive.

Figure 1.3.6 Adding shadows

1.4 Final Outcome

This is the Final Product. "Melting for You". I think this illustration will fit with a calm and relaxing music with fire crackling background noise. Candles shaped like a human. Resembles me, my physical and mental state. Although it still shines bright for other people and the dark space surrounding the candle, but it is clearly seen that some of the candle is slowly melting away and lose hope. It still shines because of other factors that the candle cares a lot. 5 candles creates a balanced look and creates a better hierarchy in the design. Each of the candles also represent my mental state, the left corner one is sad, seems like giving up on its job as a candle that is why it is more dimmer. The rest of them, although they are melting but still putting on their best smiles and seemingly having a good time, but the fire in the second left is broken inside. It reflects the strength that is starting to melt down and cripple. The flames itself also symbolizes a lot of things; From the left, two people hugs each other symbolizes, wanting to make people that I care happy and felt loved; then beside it is the symbol of the lack of self care by a broken flame; the middle symbolizes my self and what I thrive and believe in symbolized by a silhouette of a girl standing with her arms open; then a heart symbolizes the love itself; lastly a hand symbolizes the constant people that ask for help (that I don't have the heart to reject).

In my own opinion this is not the best work. Since the timing I could not make this piece optimally. I think the lack of commitment to do this piece also affecting the result of my drawing. If there is more time to redefining the drawing itself, I will do a better sketch and finishing touch. Overall, I really am satisfied with the concept.