Research-
We began this project by exploring the different ways to show movement using paper and other materials. Our research included research on lenticular, origami, waterwheel, and kirisomi techniques. We observed different ways of construction and even made our own paper versions of ones we found most interesting and relevant to this project.
The second technique is the one we chose to go with. The inspiration for this was these two photos.
This technique relies on the viewer shifting their eye or position, but we want to engage the viewer to interact with the piece. so we adjusted our final to accomplish this goal. We were also inspired but this painting of a rabbit (also relies on the movement of the viewer).
Iterations-
Then we began brainstorming different themes for our project to take form. A problem we ran into was that it was much harder to come up with a solution when we started with the theme. So we stepped back and went back to the drawing board to use principles and elements to lead our design.
Form was the element that we chose to focus on, from brainstorming, we were able to come up with many more ideas and approaches at this point of the project. Form could be applied in many different ways, and along g with that, we had to use it to show movement. Along with movement in our piece, we decided to also utilize lines within the illustration to highlight the element of movement.
Concept Statement-
In this project, we were tasked with both- creating a project to emphasize the principle of movement, and to work as a team to integrate our own personal styles and ideas to result in s combined product. Alex and I researched, iterated, brainstormed and experimented with several different approaches before settling on one that expressed both of our creative styles. We explored colors, shapes, themes, illustration/animation programs and materials. Our final product took the theme of the “Simulation Theory” – a theory that hypothesizes that all reality could be an artificial simulation based on the scientific and technological advances we see today. We intended to create a contrast between a real and simulated life using color, contrast and especially line (portrayed in the colorful side) in our movement piece. The action of the eye opening is a significant in this piece because it emphasizes the concept further. As humans, we only use a portion of our brain, whereas a computer can process endless configurations at the same time. Since we are both doing distanced learning, we decided it would be fun and benefits for us to create both a physical piece and an online animation to show the functionality of movement within our final piece.
Production-
These were made using Blender.
With this version, the side bars seemed problematic because they would be easy to break off. So, Alex came up with this other idea where the sidebars fold in with the whole piece.
As for the simulated version, we wanted to use lines to create a social movement effect, this picture was our inspiration. Although in this one, the artist utilizes one point perspective, it effectively shows movement within the piece.
We deiced to make the final product with plywood. Since Alex was the one creating the physical product, he wanted to create something that he could use in the long term. Although we did use paper on paste the illustration on top of the wood.
Meanwhile I began creating the illustration using illustrator. First I made the outline of the face, then added hair, eye, nose, and mouth. Then I created the contours and used a neutral color palette to highlight the woman features. I experimented with quiet a few different shades before landing on these, darker and lighter tones.
The toughest part was creating the shadows and getting the contours right and making them look realistic and proportional. Part of the simulation theory is about enlightenment, so I decided to create that version with the girl’s eye open. The lines were created using photoshop, the blur effect and adjusting the hue and saturation of the original.
Alex then took it to photoshop and intensified the effects to create a “matrix” type theme. We wanted to exaggerate colors and lines in this version.
Me and Alex are both doing distanced learning so we collaborated in a different way from the rest of our classmates. It was a pleasure working with him and we made a good team utilizing our different talents. See his page for a more detailed view of our process.
Final
