2. Process
• Personally, I prefer to have every
individual piece of the project separate
from each other, so that they can be
properly constructed and refined to
the point where I am satisfied with
them. Because of this practice I tend to
create a lot of layers and then merge
them together when I believe that
they are ready. This method of file
management helps to create a more
accessible work environment for me,
and helps me to organise this space as
new ideas come to me.
3. Process
My preferred tools when constructing
images in Photoshop are the Polygonal
Lasso, the Magic Wand, the Eye Dropper,
and the Paint Bucket. These allow me to,
respectively, modify the selected area to
be more specific, select an entire area
instantaneously based on colour, click on a
colour already in the document to use it,
and paint a large area within selected
boundaries at once. I use these tools to
primarily create environmental aspects
from scratch, but I also use them to make
more intricate elements piece-by-piece. I
like to use these tools the most because I
prefer their simplicity over the more
complicated techniques, using them to
build up a solid base that I can then
expand on.
4. Process
This tool is used to create more intricate selected areas than simple squares or circles, allowing the user to isolate assets that
may otherwise be hard to separate otherwise. There is no upper limit to how many edges or corners that can be created,
allowing for incredibly convoluted designs in some cases.
THE POLYGONAL LASSO
THE MAGIC WAND
By using this tool, the user can select a large area that shares a single colour and alter it accordingly. This saves time by not
having to draw out an area using other tools, which could wear out the user’s patience or time.
THE EYEDROPPER
By clicking on a colour, it changes the colour in use to what has just been selected, saving time searching through the colour
wheel.
THE PAINT BUCKET
This tool lets the user to fill in a selected area completely with a colour, filling in any blanks that might be missed through the
more direct painting process.
5. Process
Whenever I create something I think
about how the different elements I want
to employ flow together, and whether
anything clashes against each other. Some
aspects within this experiment work and
others don’t, such as the silhouette, sun
and background against the text, and how
they could be more subtly enhanced to
flow better. The palette of muted shades
contrasted against bold and bright colours
helps to emphasize the minimalistic
aesthetic of the project, and works to
direct the audience’s attention towards
certain aspects of the piece.
6. Process
While I still believe I could do better, I am satisfied with the finished piece and the
successful employment of techniques that are unfamiliar to me. I see it as
somewhat bare compared to the previous experiments, but also effective and
powerful in its simplicity. The more monochromatic aesthetic works to highlight
what colour there is in the image, and draws the audience towards the deeper
symbolism of the product.
The bulk of the image is made
up of imported images that fit
the aesthetics of the project,
and have been altered to fit
with each other in a more
streamlined fashion. For
example, the background
image’s opacity has been
turned down to seventy-
percent, while the central
crown has had a gradation
placed on it to ease the
audience’s eyes. These make
the product easier to digest
and less harsh to look at,
especially when contrasted
against a darker background.
The general idea for this piece
was to explore the more
minimalistic aspects of the
project, and how they could
still be used to represent the
game correctly. By expressing
only a small amount of colour
and opting for an almost silvery
sheen, it creates an
emboldened effect, and stands
out because of how the subtler
effects.
7. Process
The greatest challenge I had during these experiments was trying to find harmony among
contrasting elements. I consider the first experiment a failure in this endeavour, but not
without value, as it showed me that I needed to use the aesthetics I had in mind sparingly,
and with a proportionate counterweight in order to balance the product. The second and
third experiments are more successful attempts at this idea, as they explore how I can
achieve the desired results with the techniques and elements that I know, coming off
considerably more effective in my opinion.
8. Reflection
• What elements of your experiments will you
include in your final product?
• I believe that overall style of the project has been accurately nailed down, with
primarily grey tones contrasted against small patches of colour, and overlaid with
patterns to highlight an individual aspect of the piece.
• I think that things to avoid would be overwhelming the audience with too much
vibrancy, as it would clash against the aesthetics and come off as gaudy.
Editor's Notes
Discuss the tools and processes used in your experiments
Discuss the tools and processes used in your experiments
Discuss the tools and processes used in your experiments