Project 1: Self-Portrait

 

Design Principles // Project 1

Ng Jun Wei / 0349827

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Advertising and Brand Management

21/1/2023 - 3/2/2023  (Week 2 - Week 4)

Project 1: Self-Portrait

Recap：

A self-portrait is a study of yourself both physically and emotionally. Making a self-portrait is an opportunity to spend time with yourself mapping your physical image, but also your interests, feelings, fantasies, and your moment in time. 

References:

Figure 1.1 Colagem Digital

Source: https://pin.it/1BOYvpA

Figure 1.2 Japan Poster Design

Source: https://pin.it/74e3lmT

Figure 1.3 Day 89 - Natasha Shaneek

Source: https://pin.it/4EkiYFF

Exploration:

Figure 1.4 Mind map

Figure 1.5

Source: https://pin.it/132ECya

Figure 1.6

Source: https://pin.it/4Tb0EtC

Figure 1.7

Source: https://pin.it/5DYtrg8

Based on my mind map, I decide to complete a self-portrait with my personality traits. According to figure 1.5, my picture can be strongly contrasted. Thus, I decided to use this image as a visual reference. I plan to use light pink, and some small patterns as the background, to reflect my gentle character. And rose as my brave and afraid of being hurt.

Progression:

Figure 2.1 background draft 1

Figure 2.2 background draft 2

I made two backgrounds using the Repetition method, but Figure 2.2 was more concise to me, so I used it as the background for the time being and waited for Ms Jinchi to advise me.

Figure 2.3 My Picture

Figure 2.4 Resource 1

Source: https://pin.it/7tCgJbX

Figure 2.5 Resource 2

Source:https://pin.it/7qtPJ9m

Referring to the picture in Figure 1.5, I found two pictures of red roses on Pinterest as the decoration for the portrait. I choose the red rose because of its flower language, romance, true love and passion. I think it represents me.

Figure 2.6 Position 1

Figure 2.7 Position 2

Figure 2.8 Position 3

However, I was unsure about whether the composition would be more noticeable and compound the theme, so I chose the composition in Figure 2.7, which is more hierarchical.

Figure 2.9 Draft 1

Figure 2.10 Draft 2

"Love" and "Passion" are my slogans this time. However, I consider the characters in Figure 2.8 to be too small to have a visual impact. Therefore, in Figure 2.10, I expanded the entire picture but also obscured the word "Passion", which confused me.

Feedback:

Dr Jinchi told me that Photography resources cannot be used in this assignment, so I need to redraw the roses. In addition, she believes that standing a rose will look unnatural. I could use the same rose as the rose next to my head. At the same time, she thinks that my slogan covered too much, so I need to adjust the font position again.

Final Design:

Figure 3.1 Final design

Finally, I used Procreate to redraw the rose and adjust the overall position.

Rationale: 

Roses are true love, romantic, passionate, and desperate to love their loved ones. However, it's also full of thorns, and I think those are its last pride, protecting itself from harm. I think it is just like me. I am enthusiastic about the outside, but also afraid of being destroyed. Meanwhile, the background uses Repetition to repeat my Chinese name and some very important sentences in my life, such as saying "Be who you want to be". The overall theme is red to highlight "love" and "romance". And use Emphasis and contrast to make my character stand out.

Reflection

This assignment was very challenging for me because I met the Chinese New Year, so I had to finish it in a limited time. In addition, I also made a self-portrait poster for Digital Photography and Imaging last semester. Therefore, I am worried about my work this time, because I am afraid that there is no more innovative work.

But all those concerns disappeared when I started working on it. Being good at time allocation, I spent all my spare time to finish this homework. Meanwhile, Dr Jinchi asked us to make a mind map for inspiration. I also found more possibilities in this, which really benefited me a lot.