Visual Principles - Colour
During the lecture, the concept of understanding the representation of colours and how does they have an effect on people was introduced to us. It's amazing how colours have an impact on our lives.
One point that I noted from the lecture was the use of colour contrast and colour harmony. In order to make the picture stand out, I have to make sure that pure colours do not compete against each other for the audience's attention. Also, our eyes seek balance so the correct complement of colours would be more smoothing.
Colour psychology also plays an important part in delivering different messages to the audience. For example, different shades of red have different representations ranging from love to war.
Oooh here comes the main point... *Drum rolls*...
Assignment 5... which is to personalize my notebook...
Before the lecture, I thought of "how about I come up with some designs for the poster on love?" Phew, luckily I didn't do so. Maybe being too hardworking is not necessary sometimes.
Anyway, back to the assignment. I have to choose a theme that is most personal to me. It should be a positive thought, my take on how to make the world a better place.
Julian wanted us to choose 2 words and come out with 2 sketches based on these 2 words. For me, I decided on "poverty" and "war".
Here is my first design on "poverty". Actually my idea is to stop poverty. For the exterior, it shows a young skinny boy sitting in one corner, alone. I hope to show the plight of people in impoverished countries, living in undesirables condition and not having adequate food supply.
However, a hand stretches out, wanting to help the poor boy. I used bright yellow colour to emphasize that the helping hand brings hope and warmth to the boy. It brightens up the poor boy's world. I made use of the lens flare effect in Photoshop to achieve the inspirational effect. Outside the yellow scope, it is pitch black signifying depression and despair for the boy.
For the interior, bright yellow again is the base colour. I've put in the words "Stop Poverty", driving the message home to people. Another helping hand is drawn to encourage the audience to do their part in helping people from poor countries.
*More drum rolls*... Tadaaaa... Here's my 2nd design on "war".
Actually, I got this idea from the recent crackdown and killing of the monks in Myanmar. It's really a shocking move by the junta.
Ok, back to my design. The background colour for my design is a shade of red called pure magenta red (in Photoshop). From last week's lecture, this colour (hopefully I chose the right colour) represents blood, war and violence, sacrifice and bravery.
And the chinese word that I used is "sha" meaning killing. All the wars, protests and demonstrations have taken away so many precious lives. So many brave souls have sacrificed their causes just to uphold their beliefs. It's time to end all wars.
I've made an effect such that there is some light behind the "sha", hoping to create the message of "there's always light at the end of the tunnel". There's always hope and new opportunities even when despair surrounds you.
As for the interior, I added the words "End Wars" and the chinese words "bu sha" meaning stop killing. Again, there's the light effect, to give hope to everyone. I also gave the chinese words an irregular edge so it won't feel so rigid.
I presented the "Stop Poverty" during the tutorial. One of the comments I received was to change the font of the words as they look too cow-boyish. Esther also mentioned that (bright) yellow colour is like those who have the authority/power like God. So probably I should adjust the gradient of yellow to a darker shade. I should also emphasize the shining effect to show that the hand is really going to help the boy.
As for the tutor's comments, he said I should change the words so they have more punch. "Stop Poverty" is like too cliche. Like last week session, he said I should encourage the audience to think more when they see my design. For example, I could show a begger being jailed as begging is illegal in Singapore. I should design something more on the local context that people (preferably Singaporeans?) can relate to. Then the design will be an effective one.
After gathering all the comments, granted if I have the time, I would make the necessary changes. Hopefully.
One point that I noted from the lecture was the use of colour contrast and colour harmony. In order to make the picture stand out, I have to make sure that pure colours do not compete against each other for the audience's attention. Also, our eyes seek balance so the correct complement of colours would be more smoothing.
Colour psychology also plays an important part in delivering different messages to the audience. For example, different shades of red have different representations ranging from love to war.
Oooh here comes the main point... *Drum rolls*...
Assignment 5... which is to personalize my notebook...
Before the lecture, I thought of "how about I come up with some designs for the poster on love?" Phew, luckily I didn't do so. Maybe being too hardworking is not necessary sometimes.
Anyway, back to the assignment. I have to choose a theme that is most personal to me. It should be a positive thought, my take on how to make the world a better place.
Julian wanted us to choose 2 words and come out with 2 sketches based on these 2 words. For me, I decided on "poverty" and "war".
Here is my first design on "poverty". Actually my idea is to stop poverty. For the exterior, it shows a young skinny boy sitting in one corner, alone. I hope to show the plight of people in impoverished countries, living in undesirables condition and not having adequate food supply.
However, a hand stretches out, wanting to help the poor boy. I used bright yellow colour to emphasize that the helping hand brings hope and warmth to the boy. It brightens up the poor boy's world. I made use of the lens flare effect in Photoshop to achieve the inspirational effect. Outside the yellow scope, it is pitch black signifying depression and despair for the boy.
For the interior, bright yellow again is the base colour. I've put in the words "Stop Poverty", driving the message home to people. Another helping hand is drawn to encourage the audience to do their part in helping people from poor countries.
*More drum rolls*... Tadaaaa... Here's my 2nd design on "war".
Actually, I got this idea from the recent crackdown and killing of the monks in Myanmar. It's really a shocking move by the junta.
Ok, back to my design. The background colour for my design is a shade of red called pure magenta red (in Photoshop). From last week's lecture, this colour (hopefully I chose the right colour) represents blood, war and violence, sacrifice and bravery.
And the chinese word that I used is "sha" meaning killing. All the wars, protests and demonstrations have taken away so many precious lives. So many brave souls have sacrificed their causes just to uphold their beliefs. It's time to end all wars.
I've made an effect such that there is some light behind the "sha", hoping to create the message of "there's always light at the end of the tunnel". There's always hope and new opportunities even when despair surrounds you.
As for the interior, I added the words "End Wars" and the chinese words "bu sha" meaning stop killing. Again, there's the light effect, to give hope to everyone. I also gave the chinese words an irregular edge so it won't feel so rigid.
I presented the "Stop Poverty" during the tutorial. One of the comments I received was to change the font of the words as they look too cow-boyish. Esther also mentioned that (bright) yellow colour is like those who have the authority/power like God. So probably I should adjust the gradient of yellow to a darker shade. I should also emphasize the shining effect to show that the hand is really going to help the boy.
As for the tutor's comments, he said I should change the words so they have more punch. "Stop Poverty" is like too cliche. Like last week session, he said I should encourage the audience to think more when they see my design. For example, I could show a begger being jailed as begging is illegal in Singapore. I should design something more on the local context that people (preferably Singaporeans?) can relate to. Then the design will be an effective one.
After gathering all the comments, granted if I have the time, I would make the necessary changes. Hopefully.