Audrey Gracia Djohari / 0348120
Digital Photography & Imaging
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Project 1: Collage Design
JUMP LINKS
- Click HERE to see EXERCISES: Lectures, Tutorials, Practicals
- Project 1A: Physical Collage
- Project 1B: Digital Collage
- Final Outcome
- Feedback & Reflection
INSTRUCTION
- Physical Collage
1. Explore and search for any interesting graphics from old magazines or any printed materials.
2. Cut the shapes of pictures that you are choosing.
3. Repeat the steps to collect your cut out design elements.
Step 2: Pre-compositing
1. Find an interesting background canvas
2. Start compositing the cut out design elements
3. Play around with the composition and layer arrangement.
Step 3: Final composition
1. Once you’re satisfied with your pre-compositing, start glueing the cut out based on the layer by layer arrangements.
2. Document your work in progress on each step and upload it to your E-Portfolio blogs for the weekly contents update.
3. Take photo of your collage and insert on the submission section.
- Digital Collage
1. Based on the video tutorial, create one digital collage using the materials
provided.
2. Follow and complete the weekly progress.
3. Attach your final digital collage below.
2. Follow and complete the weekly progress.
3. Attach your final digital collage below.
PROJECT 1A / PHYSICAL COLLAGE
- Design Elements
The materials I used for this project were printed plain paper, art
paper, glossy photo paper, crumpled receipt and article. And my muse for
all of these collages is Winnie Harlow, she's a professional fashion
model and a public spokesperson on the skin condition vitiligo (skin
discoloration). I found her condition unique, thus, all of these ideas
just popped out when I came across her photos on social media.
Figure 1.0: Design Elements, 08.30.2021
Figure 1.1: Cut Elements, 08.30.2021
Figure 1.2: Tools, 09.13.2021
- Pre-Compositing
Pre-Composition #1
This is my first attempt on making this collage exercise. The color blue
and black play more dominant roles here, while the orange and brown are
the sweeteners. I prefer to maintain the rectangular shapes in this
composition, because they feel more balanced. Also, I divide the main
colors (black & blue) equally on four sides of the frame.
Figure 1.3: Pre-Composition #1, 08.30.2021
Pre-Composition #2
The color scheme shown on this collage are exactly as I imagined. I like
how the blue, orange and brown blend in. The crumpled receipt and
printed article on the corners also add more variety to the collage. In
addition, I like how the center of interest shows a comparison between a
woman and a leopard. And it really goes well with the quote: "Beauty
attracts the eye. Personality captures the heart". The woman represents
the beauty, while the leopard represents the personality.
Figure 1.4: Pre-Composition #2, 08.30.2021
Pre-Composition #3
On the third attempt, I tried to be edgier in hopes to make a more
unique composition, and it turned out pretty well. The color black and
gold are the major colors here, and I experimented more with
asymmetrical shapes. It was quite difficult to keep the overall design
stable and it took me quite a long time to finally settle with this
design.
Figure 1.5: Pre-Composition #3, 08.30.2021
- Glueing Process
For submission, I choose Pre-Composition #1. So I gathered all the
materials and arranged them once again. And the images below are the
glueing process.
Figure 1.6: Glueing Process, 09.13.2021
Figure 1.7: Glueing Process, 09.13.2021
Figure 1.8: Glueing Process, 09.13.2021
Figure 1.9: Final Glueing Process, 09.13.2021
PROJECT 1B / DIGITAL COLLAGE
- Design Elements
We were given 15 digital files as the material, and we can only use
these elements to make the digital collage. I used different materials
for every collage design.
Figure 2.0: Design Elements, 09.11.2021
- Compositing Process
After I downloaded all the materials, I placed them in my A4 canvas in
Photoshop. I started by placing the images I needed in the layer. Then I
used 'Magic Wand Tool' to select the parts which I wanted to erase. To
adjust an image's size and position, I pressed Command + T. And I
composed the images according to my imagination.
Figure 2.1: Selecting the Background Using 'Magic Wand Tool', 09.11.2021
Figure 2.2: Using the 'Eraser Tool', 08.30.2021
Figure 2.3: Using the 'Free Transform Tool', 08.30.2021
- Composition Outcome
Composition #1
I was inspired by some designs I saw on Pinterest, which play a lot with
perspective and mix up buildings. And I applied those 'perspective
distortion' illusion —as Mr. Martin said— on this work. However, I did not distort the images at all, I
only put them in a place that seemed odd yet make sense, for example, I
mirrored the same 2 buildings. That's why they looked a bit confusing. I
kept all the objects in the middle of the frame and I also kept the
background simple with all black, so the composition looks neat even
though the elements are quite abstract.
To make those buildings black and white in color, I lowered the
'Saturation' to 0. Then I rotated and mirrored them manually using
Command + T. I also did some manual erasing of the building below the
fish so that the fish's fin looks like it is in front of the building.
This effect made the focal point–which is the fish– looks 3D.
Figure 2.4: Composition #1, 09.11.2021
Composition #2
For the second collage, I wanted to make it with a whole different elements and color palette. I used the orange background and I added some green with the leaves in the corner. The typewriter is the focal point, and I added the old projectors at a different sides diagonally in order to keep the balance. Everything in this design is mirrored but not symmetrically. And about the dollar signs and numbers, they exist as a complementary elements to make the design more appealing. I think the numbers and alphabet are very contrast with the other elements, which is good.
Figure 2.5: Composition #2, 09.11.2021
Composition #3
This is my third design which is the most unique in my opinion. I tried to experiment with different angles, different theme, and a different aesthetic with a little bit of anomaly. I traced the station and made the sky as the background. I adjusted the size of the fish and turned them into gigantic beasts floating in the sky. And the buildings below the "bridge" were placed to keep the composition balanced.
Figure 2.7: Composition #3, 09.11.2021
- Adjustment Layers & Filters
I decided to choose Composition #1 as my final collage for submission
because in my opinion, it has the best composition and most of the
people that I asked for feedbacks from liked Composition #1.
Next, I edited this particular collage to improve the color scheme by
using the 'Adjustment Layers and Filters' in Photoshop. This is my
exercise for week 4. I wanted to make the whole picture have a different
color theme from the original one. So I play boldly and a bit extreme with
the layers and filter tool.
Figure 2.8 and 2.9: Adjusting the 'Gradient Fill', 09.18.2021
I learned how to use the Adjustment Layers and Filters to adjust my
design’s colors and tones. First, I used ‘Gradient Tool’ to make the
background have a color transition (grey to black). Secondly I used
‘Pattern’ to add the Forest texture for the background. I also wanted
to change the design’s colour to a whole different theme, and to do
that I used ‘Photo Filter’ and adjusted the density to 100%, therefore
everything turned greener and more rustic. To make the colour red of
the fish pop out, I increased the ‘Vibrance’ and the ‘Channel Mixer’.
Lastly, I adjusted the ‘Levels’ to intensify the image’s contrast. I
liked how the design turned out at the end, because the colors are
contrast yet still smooth with no significant distortion.
Figure 2.10 & 2.11: Using 'Photo Filter', 09.18.2021
FINAL OUTCOME
- Project 1A: Physical Collage
Figure 3.0: "Beauty and Personality", Final Physical Collage
Outcome, 09.13.2021
Figure 3.1: "Neutralized", Final Digital Collage Outcome,
09.13.2021
Figure 3.2: Project 1 Summary in PDF, 09.18.2021
FEEDBACK
WEEK 3: Photoshop & Physical Collage Pre-Composition
General Feedback
Mr Martin told us not to be afraid to be wrong, just go for it and
explore new things, especially on Photoshop. That way we could improve
ourselves.
Specific Feedback
Mr. Martin saw the application of Repetition in my collage work, which
was a strong style in modern art. He thought that my first design was
very cool. He said that I had interesting ideas as he noticed the
variation of composition that i tried to experiment in each of the three
collages. But he said, "Make it more approachable." Mr. Martin said my
first pre-composition was more neat and tidy that's why it looked nicer
and more attractive compared to the other two.
WEEK 4: Digital Collage
Specific Feedback
Mr. Martin liked the distorted perspective that I made in my first
digital composition. They were very similar in the sense that they all
have the distortion, which was nice. He said composition #1 and #3
were nice. I also asked my classmate and the majority liked
composition #1.
WEEK 5: Blog & Overall Work
General Feedback
Separate the exercise & project in different blogs. And have fun
while making the project.
Specific Feedback
My Project 1 blog was nice and very detail. Mr. Martin said I could do the
rest (of the other projects) like I had done this blog. He said I was
looking 9 or 10 out of 10.
REFLECTION
Experience
I'm so happy that I got to work physically and digitally for this
project. I learned a lot about how to use Adobe Photoshop Tools. And
making collage also helped me to experiment and play with composition,
which is a very fun and challenging exercise. This project made me do
new things with my design, such as doing perspective manipulation,
repetition, and making some bold and weird art.
Observations
I noticed that compositing can be very abstract yet balance. And I
observed how color scheme can really determine the balance of my design.
Another thing that I learned was that when it comes to making collage,
the stranger it gets, the more it appeals.
Findings
I found that collage is a very interesting form of art. I also have a
better understanding of how Photoshop works, especially in using
'Adjustment Layers and Filters'. Lastly, I found that it's a good thing
to be bold and eccentric as an artist.
Comments
Post a Comment