Project 1 : Self-Portrait

Natasha Geraldine Kusmanto (0350112) 

Bachelor of Computer Science

Instruction

1 Recap

After completing the first exercises, we are told to proceed with the next project which is Self-Portrait. During this project, we are told to explore ourselves, learn about our personality, likes, and dislikes, as well as our dreams, and make a mindmap of our self-exploration. 

2 Design Process

    2.1 Visual Reference

Figure 2.1.1 Art by Kasey Golden https://twitter.com/KaseyTheGolden

Figure 2.1.3 Art by Rinotuna https://www.artstation.com/artwork/d8wGBX

Figure 2.1.4 https://pin.it/7MOc28z

Above are the references that I used which are taken from some artists whose art styles I really loved as well as some references to make my designs.

    2.2 Idea Exploration

Figure 2.2.1: Mind Map about Me

Figure 2.2.2 Design #1: "Drowning in numbers"

Design #1

For this design, I am focusing on the fact that I am a Computer Science student who is overworked. This is delivered by showing that I am drowning in binary numbers; I was thinking of making the binary numbers spell out "help" or something like that. This can also show that I overthink and I am drowning in my thoughts. I also made my pupils white to portray that I am hard of seeing.

The design principles that I hope to show here are balance, contrast, and repetition.

Figure 2.2.3 Design #2: "Run!Run!Run!"

Design #2

For this design, I am focusing on the things I love. It shows me running with my two dogs, Bailey(poodle) and Maxie(sheltie) while holding a cake which is one of my favorite desserts. I was also thinking of adding sweets in the background that seems like it was raining from the sky or just rain falling down and adding rain ripples on each step the characters take. This was to show that I am able to overcome my hate of rain and enjoy it.
The design principles that I hope to show here are movement, harmony, and repetition.

    2.3 Final Design

Figure 2.3.1 Initial animation draft

Figure 2.3.2 Single animation frame

Figure 2.3.3 "Self-Portrait: Run! Run! Run!"

For the final design, I ended up going with the second one which was an animation of me running with my dog holding a cake. The characters running as well as the smoke from the candle shows movement. There being two characters gives this piece balance and harmony. And the background color which is bright orange (which is my favorite color) shows contrast to the relatively paler colors on the moving characters. This piece is a gif that just keeps looping which shows repetition.

    2.4 Feedback

Dr. Jinchi liked both of the designs but preferred the second one because it shows literal movement. She gave really good inputs on how I can improve on the sketch, mainly adding more elements of the things I love which are mysteries and sweets, making them flow to further show movement. She said to make the flames on the cake flutter making a trail which was a really interesting idea.

    2.5 Reflection

I really enjoyed working on this project, especially since I tried to push myself and do animation. Initially, I was very eager on starting the project and sketched the animation of me running with my dog as soon as the project was introduced to us. I did another sketch basing it on things I struggle with afterward and decided that it was the piece that I will finalize since working on an animation takes a lot of time and I have a Capstone project to deal with. However, during the second class meeting, Dr. Jinchi said that she prefers the animation piece and looks forward to seeing it finished. I had thought of giving up and just submitting a still drawing but I pushed myself and managed to develop the final animation piece which I am really proud of (even though it looks a bit stiff and a lot of improvement can be made;;).