Tried to draw bugs in the more classic Clampett style, rather than the more contemporary Chuck Jones style he's usually drawn in these days. It is a lot tougher than you'd think.
More Tex Avery characeters.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
What can be draw in a 1 hour lecture - again.
Tried to draw bugs in the more classic Clampett style, rather than the more contemporary Chuck Jones style he's usually drawn in these days. It is a lot tougher than you'd think.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Starting a Kid's Book
Now that I've started illustrating the kid's book, I realise how tough it'll be getting all the pages done by the deadline. I would've liked to spend some time experimenting with different drawing styles, but I think I'll just have to use a drawing method that I'm used to, so I can turn out pictures more quickly.
The book is basically about a cuckoo bird that kidnaps a little girl for a bunch of evil faeries, and she then turns into a cat. (That one sentence synopsis probably doesn't do it much justice). It's a rhyming story, so it has set stanzas for each page. For better or worse that means less time spent on text layout. It also has a "gothic" vibe as it's a bit like a Grimm fairytale.
Anyway, first off I have a bunch of rough concepts (no time to clean them up) of the various characters I need. I decided to use the style of drawing I used for Monkey Girl.
.jpg)
Cuckoo bird
This girl's design is a pretty stock "cute" design. I used the same structure for monkey girl, and my anime attempt. (I like to steer clear of anime style, but so many people draw that way, it's starting to subliminally influence me)
The idea behind this cat was a bit of a combo of the cat from Bob the Builder and the one from Kiki's Delivery Service (anime again dammit). Hey, I'm not too proud to say where I steal ideas from (better I point it out than some smug fanboy).
(this faerie character I came up with seems really familiar. I think I've ripped something off without realising it. If anyone thinks these look like something that already exists please tell me)
Usually I'd spend more time fine tuning characters - but not much time. This probably means that the characters will go a bit off model in the book itself. It also means that theideas I steal influences I use will be more obvious. Hopefully it won't be too noticeable.
The book is basically about a cuckoo bird that kidnaps a little girl for a bunch of evil faeries, and she then turns into a cat. (That one sentence synopsis probably doesn't do it much justice). It's a rhyming story, so it has set stanzas for each page. For better or worse that means less time spent on text layout. It also has a "gothic" vibe as it's a bit like a Grimm fairytale.
Anyway, first off I have a bunch of rough concepts (no time to clean them up) of the various characters I need. I decided to use the style of drawing I used for Monkey Girl.
.jpg)
Cuckoo bird
This girl's design is a pretty stock "cute" design. I used the same structure for monkey girl, and my anime attempt. (I like to steer clear of anime style, but so many people draw that way, it's starting to subliminally influence me)
The idea behind this cat was a bit of a combo of the cat from Bob the Builder and the one from Kiki's Delivery Service (anime again dammit). Hey, I'm not too proud to say where I steal ideas from (better I point it out than some smug fanboy). 
(this faerie character I came up with seems really familiar. I think I've ripped something off without realising it. If anyone thinks these look like something that already exists please tell me)
Usually I'd spend more time fine tuning characters - but not much time. This probably means that the characters will go a bit off model in the book itself. It also means that the
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Online Design Questions
What is pacing?
Pacing is how you layout elements within an interactive environment, such as a web page, to allow an easy flow of information for the viewer. The idea is to not overwhelm the viewer with lots too much information or too many interactive elements. Otherwise the viewer will just be confused as to where to put their attention. For example if I suddenly gave a bunch of interactive links with no proper layout or relation to each other, it would interrupt the pacing of this post.
True or False: A reader spends more time with a print edition than they do with
an online news presentation.
Apparently, people spend more time reading online news and media than they do with print, despite the stereotypically opinion that web media is just briefly read by people with a quick logon/logoff mentality. (So false)
What are some tools that online designers create in layouts that help readers
remember key information?
In order to keep attention, however, online designers will incorporate many graphical and interactive elements to keep the reader's attention. Q and A forums, graphics, video, "fact" boxes and various Web 2.0 type elements keep people occupied. Print media cannot supply these elements with as much ease or accessibility.
What is the simplicity equation?
In all its simplicity it is:
clear links + identifiable location = happy readers
In other words, keep information and navigation simple. Too many options and people get confused.
What is the first thing someone sees and the most important element of your
site when the viewer first logs on?
The navigation bar is the first thing your viewer will look for and use when they come to your site. It's important that they can clearly understand how to get to where they want and to use the nav bar to get there.
This is much more important than spending too much time creating a dorky rabbit themed title graphic.
answers according to: 'Online Design Basics’
A reading from Downman, Scott (2008) Edit: A Guide to Layout, Design and Publication,
Oxford Press: Sydney
Pacing is how you layout elements within an interactive environment, such as a web page, to allow an easy flow of information for the viewer. The idea is to not overwhelm the viewer with lots too much information or too many interactive elements. Otherwise the viewer will just be confused as to where to put their attention. For example if I suddenly gave a bunch of interactive links with no proper layout or relation to each other, it would interrupt the pacing of this post.
True or False: A reader spends more time with a print edition than they do with
an online news presentation.
Apparently, people spend more time reading online news and media than they do with print, despite the stereotypically opinion that web media is just briefly read by people with a quick logon/logoff mentality. (So false)
What are some tools that online designers create in layouts that help readers
remember key information?
In order to keep attention, however, online designers will incorporate many graphical and interactive elements to keep the reader's attention. Q and A forums, graphics, video, "fact" boxes and various Web 2.0 type elements keep people occupied. Print media cannot supply these elements with as much ease or accessibility.
What is the simplicity equation?
In all its simplicity it is:
clear links + identifiable location = happy readers
In other words, keep information and navigation simple. Too many options and people get confused.
What is the first thing someone sees and the most important element of your
site when the viewer first logs on?
The navigation bar is the first thing your viewer will look for and use when they come to your site. It's important that they can clearly understand how to get to where they want and to use the nav bar to get there.
This is much more important than spending too much time creating a dorky rabbit themed title graphic.
answers according to: 'Online Design Basics’
A reading from Downman, Scott (2008) Edit: A Guide to Layout, Design and Publication,
Oxford Press: Sydney
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