Illustration and Visual Narrative / Project 2

03/05/2023 - 31/05/2023 / Week 5 - Week 9
Iman binti Kamarudin / 0364014
Illustration and Visual Narrative  / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Project 2: MYTiger Poster 

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LECTURE

Research: Life on Land

Life on Land is the 15th Self Development Goal. The official motto is "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss".

There are 12 goals within this SDG. I knew for my illustration I had to narrow down which specific goal I would choose and right away I was intrigued by Target 15.1 - Target 15.3.

Target 15.1: Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

Freshwater ecosystems face problems related to pollution and over-fishing. Freshwater is essential for all living beings on this planet and half of Earth's freshwater supply is sourced from only six countries.

How to conserve freshwater ecosystems?

- Treating waste water before releasing it

Vegetation being hydrated by polluted water will affect the way it grows and affects the crops we grow and consume. Animals that eat the plants that were hydrated by polluted water will also be affected, and in turn affect us furthermore.

- Establish fishing limits within freshwater bodies

- Reconnecting lakes and rivers

Dams can affect the way water flows and the migration of animals

 

Target 15.2: End deforestation and restore degraded forests

According to Wikipedia, "Forest restoration is a specialized form of reforestation, but it differs from conventional tree plantations in that its primary goals are biodiversity recovery and environmental protection". The biodiversity recovery relates to SDG Target 15.5 "Protect biodiversity and natural habitats". 

How to end deforestation?

- Planting trees

- Sowing seeds (direct seeding)

Reduces the cost of tree planting. Studies conducted show that planting older seeds are more cost effective than nursery seedlings

- Implementing fire preventative actions

Often times after a forest fire, a flood occurs, causing soil erosion and runoff and thus affecting vegetation. This is due to the soil unable to retain the same amount of water as it used to. This will also affect greenery being able to regrow and affect the ability of remaining unharmed vegetation to continue growing.

Target 15.3: End desertification and restore degraded land

How to reduce and end desertification?

- Planting trees 

 How do trees help?

Roots hold the soil together and slows water movement, meaning it can retain water better 

- Protecting the vegetative cover

What is the vegetative cover? Why is it important? 

Vegetative cover is the percentage of soil covered by green vegetation. It stabilises the soil, reducing erosion and retaining nutrients to be able to grow greenery. 

Sources: BBC, Greenfacts.org, Michigan State University, Globalgoals.org, Wikipedia, Sciencedirect, Earth.org, Decadeonrestoration.org, National Geographic, WWF, Wetlands.org, UNEP.org, Petrosain

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INSTRUCTIONS

Project 2: MYTiger Poster

After researching the topic I was interested in I began looking for poster references I liked, and then proceeded to sketch out my ideas.

Figure 1.1 - Reference 1

Figure 1.2 - Reference 2

Figure 1.3 - Reference 3

Figure 1.4 - Reference 4

Figure 1.5 - Reference 5

 Initially, I wanted it to be more illustrated than look like a typical poster. However, after some feedback I was informed that the task was more focused towards illustrated typography so I sketched out more ideas.

Figure 1.6 - Rough Sketch 1

Figure 1.7 - Rough Sketch 2

Figure 1.8 - Rough Sketch 3

Figure 1.9 - Comprehensive Sketch

Once I finished my rough and comprehensive sketches, I moved on to digitising it in Adobe Illustrator. Looking back at it now, I should have come up with a more comprehensive....comprehensive sketch. I really struggled with the colours and composition when I immediately went into Illustrator and I do think it shows in my final poster.

Figure 1.10 - Flat Colours & Lineart

Figure 1.11 - Gradients, Recolour & Lung Shadow

Originally, I wanted some vegetation on the lungs to relate it more to SDG 15.3 but through some feedback I removed it since it wasn't being perceived in the way I intended. I also added leaves floating around to fill up some of the blank space. Additionally, I changed the way the letter 'B' looked since it wasn't very clear at first on what letter it was.

Figure 1.12 - Removed Vegetation, 'B' Changed & Gradient

Figure 1.13 - Added Floating Leaves

I felt like the background was too dark and overpowering the main image so I experimented with gradients and made it a light blue colour sort of like the sky. I ended up choosing the second gradient as it made the focal point more in the middle.

Figure 1.14 - Background Gradient 1

Figure 1.15 - Background Gradient 2

FINAL

Figure 2.1 - Final MYTiger Poster JPEG

Figure 2.2 - Final MYTiger Poster Wireframe