IVN | TASK 1: VORMATOR CHALLENGE - CHARACTER CREATION

23.09.2024 - 12.10.2024 /Week 1 - Week 3
Loh Kai Xuan (0365780)
Illustration and Visual Narrative, Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media, Taylor's University
Task 1: Vormator Challenge - Character Creation

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INSTRUCTIONS

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WEEK 1:

Introduction to the Vormator Challenge

Using only the 8 shapes provided, we must make a character without altering the shapes! This will help us develop your skills in proportion, balance, color, and composition, as well as master the following key Illustrator tools.

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WEEK 2:

Tracing the Shapes

Although I did struggle alot, Especially with the tentacle and the drop. But after guidance from Mr. Hafiz and also helpful tutorials from the provided Youtube videos. I made my own Vormator shapes ready to make my character. 

Fig 1. Vormator shapes i traced in Adobe Illustrator

References

I wanted to make a simple creature based on elements I like, so I looked up a few Pokemons that I think would be a great reference for what I have in mind. But my main inspiration would be Grim, from Disney Twisted Wonderland and the Pokemon, Umbreon.

Fig2. From left to right, Grim (Disney Twisted Wonderland) Umbreon, Sneasel, Zorua (Pokemon)

Ideation

As I struggle a lot with adobe, I decided to sketch on paper first so it's easier for me to start on illustrator later on. I decided to use elements I like from the characters above, paired with objects I like. Such as, the sharp triangular ears, small body and repeating patterns on the body. Though a lot of the above used circles, I went with triangles to fit the more rough personality I want for my creature.

Fig 3. Traditional sketch ideas of my creature

I love weapons and having accessories on my designs so I chose 3 main objects that will serve as my creature's main concept, Hat, Scarf, and Arrows. As someone who gets motivated by characters with a story, I made a storyline for my little Pokemon.

" Whispurreon, a loyal partner of a winter war soldier. After his passing, it swores revenge and kept the soldier's arrows as his weapon. It never takes off the hat and scarf the soldier left to keep it warm."

Process

I used a lot of the Chevrons and the drops to emphasize on the sharp edges on it's face. I also slanted it's face to show a more dramatic expression. A more sharper silhouette is also used to make the head more noticeable.

As for the body, I used a more rounder silhouette using the badge as the base and the drop/zerk for the limbs. I personally like the shape of the tail. I also learned that I can use clipping masks to make the lines on the paw.

Next, I made an iconic weapon for my creature. Using the Zerk, I was able to make a really long line to use as a base for the arrow.

Fig 4. First draft of Whispurreon (05.10.2024)

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WEEK 3:

Final silhouette

I did some tweaks and reduced the colours to only 3 for my silhouette submission. I also removed the shadows for now to keep it simple.

Fig 5. Colour change of Whispurreon (10.10.2024)

This week, we learned how to use the pathfinder. I can merge, divide, subtracts shapes and more! Using that, I was able to create more shadows and highlights. I was even able to add gradient to the gold parts of Whispurreon. It also looked empty on the legs, so I added stripes to make it more interesting. Lastly, I decided to alter the weapon's main colour to gold so that it pops out more.

Fig 6. 2nd version of Whispurreon (10.10.2024)

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FINAL SILHOUETTE

Fig 7. Final silhouette submission of Whispurreon (10.10.2024)

EXTRA

Fig 8. Extra submission of Whispurreon (10.10.2024)

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REFLECTION

This assignment helped me learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator. One tool I was really fascinated about was the pathfinder tool. I also had fun making the character. It was definitely challenging to use only the Vormator shapes but I learned a lot through this struggle.