TABLE OF CONTENTS
3. Reflection
TUTORIAL
Cinemagraph / Self-Titled - Self-titled is an exploration project for the students to express their own individuality and reflect their personality into digital art self-expression. The main idea is to build up self-confidence and discover their interest.
PRACTICAL
For the final project of this module, we were tasked to create a cinemagraph (animated photo). The topic for this project was Self-Titled, a project where we had to express ourselves through art. To start this project, I had to write down some things to develop my idea.
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| Fig 1.1 Idea Development / Week 10 (01/12/24) |
Although the main theme is surrealism, I want to mix in the vaporwave art style to tie in video games into my work. I then looked for references to provide me inspiration on the design direction I will be going for.
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| Fig 1.2 References / Week 10 (01/12/24) |
I then sketched out several ideas I had. The first idea is taking off the real face to uncover a 'game avatar' underneath. The second idea has more a vaporwave look to it and is inspired by Evangelion, featuring a giant head opening the eyes in a vaporwave field. Since I was still unsatisfied with the results, I combined the two ideas and added in extra details, resulting in the third sketch.
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| Fig 1.3 Sketches / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
After confirming with Mr. Fauzi, I proceeded to taking pictures for my poster. I also looked for some pictures online to help build the world around my picture.
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| Fig 1.4 Elements / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
First, I masked my head and applied a gradient map on 50% opacity and a posterize adjustment layer on 20% opacity. I lowered the opacity so that the original color is still visible and so that it doesn't look too jarring.
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| Fig 1.5 Masking & Adjustments - Head / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
Afterwards, I masked my hands and applied the same gradient map on 50% opacity and the posterize adjustment layer on 10% opacity. I also separated each finger so that it would be easier for me when animating.
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| Fig 1.6 Masking & Adjustments - Fingers / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
For the mountains, since the original picture is too tall, I used the lasso tool to cut out parts of the mountains and form my own mountain. The mountains are separated into three different layers. I then applied the same gradient map on 75% opacity and a posterize adjustment layer on 20% opacity.
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| Fig 1.7 Selecting & Adjustments - Mountains / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
Next, I laid out some basic parts of the background – the sky, the ground, and the sunset – using the fill tool and the gradient tool. For some added detail, I made the sunset glow by duplicating the layer and setting it to the screen blending mode. I also added some gradients on the ground so that it doesn't look dull.
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| Fig 1.8 Masking & Adjustments / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
I then made a grid using multiple squares and used the perspective warp to create depth. I also applied another gradient and clipped it to the grid.
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| Fig 1.9 Grid Process / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
When the head and fingers are placed on the background, it looks a bit off so I also drew in some shadows and highlights to make it look more natural and blend into the background better. For it to look more realistic, I also added in reflections to the floor and some fog near the head and mountains.
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| Fig 1.10 Loading (With Shadow) / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
For the text, I decided to use loading instead using the font, Planet Kosmos. I also added in a loading bar using the same gradient sideways, and having it covered in white once the bar is filled.
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Fig 1.11 Loading (With Shadow) / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
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| Fig 1.12 Poster Progress / Week 11 (08/12/24) |
REFLECTION
Initially, I had a hard time thinking of what I want to create for this project. After some thinking, I was pleased with the direction I'm taking because it consists of the things in my life that inspire me and it was a big motivator for me to get it done. The current version could be better but I think this is a good foundation to build on.