Name:Cicci Shao
Title of Music:Dice
Artist Name:NMIXX
STEP1-Music Choosing
Actually, I have no idea what music to choose, as I don’t literally have a favorite song, so I only make a rough decision to choose “noisy” sounds.
So it’s a little surprising that I determine my music after my work was done.
STEP2-Techniques Learning
(As I’m almost ignorant of Adobe Illustrator, I decide to learn some techniques of AI and then drafting my work, which makes sure that I can realize my ideas in AI.)
The first step I took is to search for AI skills in RED（小红书）, an app resembles Youtube and I selected all the videos that interested me into My Favorite.
To make the learning more efficient, I referred to the examples from my seniors and the requirements for this work to make a second round of selection. These are the results of my second round selection.
Then I started learning and I managed to realize five out of seven.
(the picture contains one failure and four of the succeeded five)
And these are the basic element I’m going to use to create my work.
STEP3-Drafting
p1 is the first version of my draft. In fact, I had no idea of what I want at first, so I just drew out what came into my mind, which was kind of messy. I originally wanted to create a feeling of 3D, but it’s too hard to realize, so I shifted to work on my second version.
When creating the second version, I have had some rough ideas based on the first version.
This time, I decided to use the whirlpool as the center of my work, then design some other elements using the techniques I have learned and put them around the whirlpool.
The draft of my work then completed.
(please omit the calculus content on the paper kkk)
STEP4-Composing
After I finished drafting, I began to work on AI to convert my thoughts into reality.
I created a whirlpool in the middle as planned. Then it suddenly occurred to me that I could create some characters and created a sense of piling up on the bottom.
I typed many characters in different fonts and then repeated “copy””paste”. Next, alter the size of the characters and put them together on the bottom of the picture.
After that, I used the curve tool to make the bottom side of the characters look like they are melting. But when I’m working on it, it suddenly occurred to me that what if I used the curve tool to deal with the upper edge of the characters to make them look like as if they are being pulled into the whirlpool.
I did it, but the effect was not very good as the curve seemed appearing everywhere and the picture looked very messy. Then I decided to redo it, using less elements.
The second time I used only one font for all the characters , as I wanted to use several techniques, so too many fonts wound only makes my work looked messy and lacking of emphasis.
Thanks to my previous experience and clear idea, the second time went well and I managed to realize all my thoughts in only half an hour.
STEP5-Concept and Design
My concept is really simple: a whirlpool pulled everything into it. It is obvious that I’m bad at giving novel concepts, so with self-consciousness, I shifted my emphasis onto techniques.
The design of the work is revolved around the center part, the whirlpool. I used curve tools and extended the parts which are near the whirlpool to achieve the sense that as if there are a force in the whirlpool, which is eye-catchy.
“Similarity” is used countless times in this work as you can see, so it is the core technique used in the work. The bottom part used similarity to make the characters seem like they are piling up. The part within the whirlpool also contains similarity as you take a closer look at it.
I also contrast black and white in this work to make the content looks more eye-catchy, which is inspired by one-black-square. When I was working on one-black-square, I really like the contrast of black and white, which can be realized in AI using the tool of pathfinder-exclusion.
STEP6-Re-choosing Music
After finishing the work, I thought that the whole picture gave me a sense of chaotic and the whirlpool in the middle seems to pull everything in. Then, a song quickly conjured up in my mind—Dice. I performed this song on the talent show and I’m really familiar with this song which features its chaotic but catchy style. I listened to the song again and unexpectedly found out that this song has five parts (Dice is a typical kind of mixup), which is the same amount of the elements I used in my work, so it really fits my work.
STEP7-Conclusion
Actually the first thing I want to remind myself is that do not delay, do the work as early as you can. This work is worked out within 22hours, including studying techniques, taking other courses, completing the due of other courses, sleeping, realizing my thoughts, cutting the frame, printing. I’m stressful during the period, but I have to bear the bad result of my procrastination.
As for my work, I’m kind of content with it as a whole, but I think there are still space for improvements too.The font could be chosen more carefully.(This one is randomly chosen). The relationship of the upper three parts can be stronger, as they look separated now, which can make the inner part of the work more connected and better organized.
The process of creating this work is stressful and challenging yet interesting and enjoyable. I feel like I progressed a lot in the process. All in all, great job for myself! Keep working!!
STEP8-My work
