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Design Principles / Project 1: Self-Portrait

28.09.2021 - 12.10.2021 (Week 6 - Week 8)
Lulu Luisa Linardi / 0349358 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Design Principles
Project 1: Self-Portrait

LECTURES

Fig 1.0: Thumbnail

Week 6: Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait is a self-representation in the form of a drawing, painting, sculpture, or design. It is a visual depiction of the self. A self-portrait artwork represents the designer/artist. In other words, it is how he/she sees themselves, what he/she is feeling, and how he/she wants to be seen by others. It's not necessarily about creating a realistic image of yourself; instead, it's often an exercise in self-exploration.

Fig 1.1: Self

INSTRUCTIONS


Project 1: Self-Portrait

For this very first project of Design Principles, we were given a task to create our own Self-Portrait. It can be representing what we like, how we/others see ourselves/us (our personality, traits?), what is inside our thoughts, etc. In this project, Dr. Charles allows the students to freely choose our own medium to express ourselves. 

Before I started, I explored more on Self-Portrait thingy to get the idea clearly. I took my MBTI test (actually I have taken it before) to get to know more about my personality. My previous MBTI test result is ENTJ-T, and the latest result I got is ENTP-T. Both of them are similar to each other, so I sought for the similarities and differences to conclude myself. The info I collect is saying both the personalities are independent, confident, ambitious, and playful. Also, most people around me reckon that I'm a cheerful, talkative, and flexible person.

Fig 2.1.1: MBTI result #1, 17.05.2021

Fig 2.1.2: MBTI result #2, 03.10.2021

However, I just realized recently that I'm actually an extrovert with a bit introvert side. I'm an Ambivert. Most of the time, I am a very extrovert person but sometimes I can turn into an introvert person.

Fig 2.1.3: Ambivert personalities

Next, I made a mind map of myself to make things more clearly. I asked some of my friends and family members to describe how they see me. I also wrote how I see myself, what are my thoughts and interests.

Fig 2.1.4: My mind map, 03.10.2021

So I began to do visual research for this project and found some pictures that catch my eyes, one of them is this pic.

Fig 2.2.1: Self-Portrait reference #1

After seeing this first reference (Fig 2.1.5), I started sketching for the rough sketch. I planned to draw a girl with '?' in her face, and added 2 callouts, one for my extrovert side, and the other for my introvert side.

Fig 2.2.2: Rough Sketch (1st attempt), 03.10.2021

As I explored more on Pinterest, I discovered other references for my artwork. I felt so attached to this kind of artwork and I found it unique to go with a theme, "A Mysterious Girl and Her Thoughts". Therefore, I decided to draw another sketch with the references I got. 

Fig 2.2.3: Self-Portrait reference #2

Fig 2.2.4: Self-Portrait reference  #3

Fig 2.2.5 Self-Portrait reference #4

I created a figure of a mysterious girl with no face, wearing glasses, and a hooded jacket. For the thoughts, I made 5 lines and connected them with the girl's head.

Fig 2.2.6: Rough Sketch (2nd attempt), 10.10.2021

After having the rough sketch finished, I started to do the next steps. The thoughts are filled with the words I collected in my mind map. I found an interesting color reference on Pinterest, so I chose to use the bright colors (rainbow color) for the main theme since it fits my personality well.

Fig 2.3.1: Color reference

Fig 2.3.2: Artwork Progression #!, 10.10.2021

At first, I was thinking of filling those spaces with symbols, but when I tried to do so, the result wasn't satisfying to me, so I decided to fill them with words only. I put them into those 5 spaces with no specific arrangement. 

Fig 2.3.3: Artwork Progression #2, 10.10.2021

Fig 2.3.4: Artwork Progression #3, 10.10.2021

Because I found it disorganized, so I tried to rearrange those words with a specific composition. I put the words which are showing how others see me in a bad way in the red area. The orange one, it is containing the words from how I see myself (my bad personalities). The good things are put inside the green area, which combined my own perspective and people's. The blue color contains my own thoughts about myself. The last one, the yellow-colored space is filling my interests. I intentionally put it in the middle and make it different from others (with white-colored text) so it can show the emphasis. 

Fig 2.3.5: Artwork Progression #4, 10.10.2021

I don't know why, but when I took a look at this artwork, I felt like it is too bright, and only shows my bright side (if only take a glance). Thus, I changed the background color into a dark color, so it also shows the mysterious side of me. And with the help of the dark cloud, it creates a gloomy mood. I think it really resembles me so much because I look cheerful from the outside but also have that 'gloomy' side.

I also added '?' on the right side of my glasses and the swirly eyes due to my identity crisis (I'm confused because I don't know who I am exactly). 

Fig 2.3.6: Artwork Progression #5, 10.10.2021 

I realized that there's something missing in my artwork, so I asked Dr Charles to review it. Originally, I named my artwork "A Mysterious Girl and Her Thoughts". However, I changed it to a new title, "Something is missing", which was suggested by Dr Charles. I tried to connect everything to get the conclusion of my artwork. I discovered that the title is connected to my main intention, Identity Crisis, since I keep questioning myself about this and that.

Final Outcome

So here's the final outcome of my Project 1. I added some elements into it and darkened the background color. I think I've applied most of the design principles I learnt before. Contrast is applied to the objects and background. Symmetrical Balance is applied to the whole artwork (it's more like approximate symmetry I guess). Emphasis is applied to the yellow-colored area (showing my interests). Movement is applied to the swirly eyes. Both Harmony & Unity are applied to the whole artwork (harmonious use of color and balance proportions giving the sense of oneness). The application of the symbol is in the hoodie patches (smiley and gloomy faces). Word & Image is also applied to this artwork (the words in my thoughts).

Fig 2.4.1: Final Outcome, 15.10.2021


Fig 2.4.2: Final Outcome in .pdf, 15.10.2021

FEEDBACK

Dr Charles asked me whether I am satisfied with my work or not. He told me to exploit the missing part, since I said something is missing earlier. Also, I was told to see my work from a distance, then follow my heart before I decide.

REFLECTIONS

Through this Self-Portrait assignment, I feel like I get to know myself better because I did many explorations on myself. At first, I found that it was so hard to express my own feeling and thoughts, and present it into an artwork. I was very confused don't know what to express. But then, I tried to learn more and go ask people around me how they see me, also made the mind map. And finally, after reflecting, I got the courage to express myself. I've never done this before so I guess this really helps me find out the 'real me'.