Illustration & Visual Narrative - Task 2 : Composition Design
20.10.2025 - 9.11.2025 (Week 5 - Week 7)
Lim Jia Yu 0357873
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Digital Marketing l Creative Media Design (Minor)
COM61304 Illustration & Visual Narrative (sec 05)
Task 2 (Composition Design)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Task 2
4. Feedbacks
5. Reflections
Lectures
Week 5
Lecture (22.10.2025)
Title - Foreground, Middle-ground, Background
A) Types of Planes
1. Foreground
- closest area to the viewer
- holds the main subject or focus
- uses strong contrast, colour, detail
- grabs attention and leads the eye into the design
- exp:
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 2010), using sizes differences and colour contrast to highlight foreground as
main focus
2. Middle-ground
- lies between foreground and background
- contains supporting / secondary elements
- adds balance and connection in composition
- uses moderate size, contrast, detail
- exp:
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 2010), using size differences and light / shadow contrast to highlight the main
focus
3. Background
- farthest part of the design
- sets the scene, mood, environment
- less detailed with softer colours / tones
- create depth and enhances visual space
- exp:
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 2010), using shapes and light / shadow contrast to highlight the main focus
B) Design Flow
- how the eye moves through a design
- good flow creates movement & rhythm
- guides the viewer smoothly between elements
- influences how content is understood
- important in interface & information design
- achieved using type, line, contrast, colour, imagery
Tutorial & Practical (21.10.2025)
# progress work shown in Task 2
We continued working with the character created in Task 1. From the previous designs, we needed to select one character to develop further. The task required us to create a complete composition by incorporating the foreground, middle-ground, background to build depth and visual balance. We also had to apply composition techniques such as Golden Spiral, Rule of Thirds, Golden Triangle to guide the viewer's eye and improve visual flow. Based on the chosen character, we were instructed to produce three different sketches, each exploring a unique composition approach using these techniques.
Week 6
Lecture (29.10.2025)
Title - Storytelling Basics
A) Central Theme
- the core idea / message of the story
- reflects the storyteller's viewpoint or insight about life or society
1. Major Theme
- main idea that appears repeatedly throughout the story
2. Minor Theme
- smaller idea that appears occasionally but supports the major theme
B) Conflict
- heart of every story
- creates tension, challenges, excitement
- keeps the audience emotionally invested, wondering how things will turn out
C) Characters
1. Protagonist
- main character who faces a goal or challenge
- they may not be perfect but must engage the audience's emotions
2. Antagonist
- the force or character that stands in the protagonist's way
- could be a person, environment, inner struggle
D) Three-Act Structure
1. Setup
- introduces the world, characters, situation before the main conflict begins
2. Rising Tension
- protagonist faces escalating obstacles, each rising the stakes
3. Conflict & Resolution
- peak of tension where the main problem is faced and resoled
- whether through victory, defeat, acceptance
Tutorial & Practical (28.10.2025)
# progress work shown in Task 2
We were required to design a collectible card using the character and background we had already created in exercise 1. This activity helped us understand how to integrate different design elements such as composition, balance, and contrast into a cohesive final piece. It also tested out ability to present our character in a more polished and appealing format.
Week 7
Lecture (5.11.2025)
Title - Transitions
A) Continuity
- consistent and logical flow of story, character, and visual elements across frames, pages, or scenes
- helps reader follow the narrative smoothly without confusion
- to ensure the story feels connected and believable
- to guide the reader's eye naturally from one frame to the next
- to keep character design, environment, and mood consistent throughout the story
Figure 3.1.1 : Continuity
B) Gestalt Law of Closure
- visual perception principle stating that the human brain tends to fill in missing parts of an incomplete image to see it
as a whole, complete form
- used to suggest forms without drawing every detail
- helps create visual interest and allows the audience to participate mentally
- encourages simplified, clever design that still feels complete
Figure 3.2.1 : Gestalt Law of Closure
C) Scott McLoud's Transitions
1. Movement to Movement
- very small time changes between panels
- shows tiny movement or expression shift
- smooth, continuous motion
- slows down pacing
- exp : blinking eyes
2. Action to Action
- one subject doing different steps of an action
- shows clear movement and energy
- easy to follow, common in comics
- exp : swinging a sword, and then striking
3. Subject to Subject
- switches between different subjects in the same scene
- reader connects their relationship
- often used in dialogue or reaction shots
- exp : panel 1 (person speaks) --> panel 2 (other person reacts)
4. Scene to Scene
- jumps across significant time or location
- reader fills in what happens between scenes
- indicates passage of time or new setting
- exp : "meanwhile" / "years later"
5. Aspect to Aspect
- focuses on different details or moods of one scene
- no time passing, builds atmosphere
- slow pacing, adds emotional tone
- exp : close-ups of object, weather, expressions
6. Non Sequitur
- no logical connection between panels
- creates abstract or surreal effect
- used for experimental storytelling or visual surprise
- exp : human --> wood --> fish
Tutorial & Practical (4.11.2025)
# progress work shown in Task 3
Continued from Task 2, where I developed my chosen character "Nova Pup", we were required to create a short narrative following the three-act structure : Act 1 (setup), Act 2 (conflict), Act 3 (resolution). The aim was to bring our character to life through storytelling and show how personality, emotion, and purpose could be expressed through narrative.
Instructions
Task 2
Techniques Applied
Design Software
Adobe illustrator
Exercise (1)
- reference & moodboard planning
- thumbnail composition sketches
- plane separation (foreground, middle-ground, background)
- composition guides
Exercise (2)
- pen tool (vector line art)
- colour fill & gradient application
- typography layout
- visual framing for a card format
- layer management
- card aesthetic design
Exercise - (1) Composition Design
A) Research
Step 1:
choose a character
From the three character designs that I created in Task 1, I chose Nova Pup as my main character to design further in Task 2 because this character stood out with a strong visual identity and storytelling potential. The idea of a glowing, space-exploring dog on Mars felt unique and appealing. It combines both cuteness and adventure. I was also drawn to how Nova Pup's glowing body could be used creatively in lighting and shading, which makes it interesting to develop further in terms of visual effects. In addition, the setting on Mars allows me to explore vibrant colour contrasts between the red planet and the bright glow of the character.
Overall, Nova Pup has clear concept, personality, strong potential for visual experimentation, making it the most engaging choice for my next design development.
Step 2:
inspiration on AI tool
I looked for inspiration using AI tools such as Pinterest, Dribbble, ArtStation to find background ideas that match my character. These platforms helped me explore different space and Mars-themed environments that suit Nova Pup's glowing and adventurous personality.
Step 3:
moodboard
I created a moodboard to gather visual references and ideas for Nova Pup. It includes images of Mars landscapes, glowing lights, and sci-fi elements to help me set the right mood, colour palette, and atmosphere for my character's world.
Step 4:
types of planes
Before further developing the background, we first need to understand how to differentiate the types of planes. Learning about these planes is important because it helps build depth and perspective in a composition. By applying these layers helps create a more balanced, realistic, and visually engaging artwork.
a) foreground
- closest area to the viewer, containing the main subject with clear details & strong colours
b) middle ground
- connects the front and back, showing supporting elements with moderate detail
c) background
- appears farthest away, often softer and lighter to show distance and environment
Step 5:
composition techniques
We need to choose one composition to apply in our artwork. Selecting a suitable composition helps guide viewer's eye and organize visual elements effectively. By deciding where to place the main subject, supporting objects, background elements, we can create better balance, focus, storytelling within the scene.
Step 6:
Framed Ink book
Based on the book (Chapter 3 : pg33 - pg59), we need to choose one composition technique from the book as evidence and apply it to our artwork to show how it enhances storytelling and visual flow.
B) Sketches
Step 1:
create thumbnails
Step 2:
add details
Step 3:
sketch approved by Mr. Fitri
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Step 4:
line art (Adobe Illustrator)
Step 5:
fill in colour
Step 6:
add shadows
Step 7:
add highlights
Step 8:
change the outline colour
Step 9:
suitable composition (Framed Ink Book)
Establishing Shot
a) Why it fits?
- establishing shot is used to introduce the setting and give viewers a clear sense of location, mood, and context before
any action happens
b) Evidence shown in my artwork
- the wide view captures the Mars-like environment
(exp: red soil, rocky terrain, distant hills, starry night sky)
- the rocket and dome habitat in the background
(help viewers understand that this scene takes place in space or on another planet)
- the dog astronaut is positioned centrally
(to introduce the main subject while still letting the environment dominate the composition)
c) Purpose
- it sets up the story world
- the audience immediately knows that this is about a dog exploring or living on Mars
- the composition communicates place first, character second
Exercise - (2) Collectible Card Design
A) Research
Step 1:
get inspiration on AI tool (Pinterest)
Step 2:
moodboard
Step 3:
elements to include in the card design
1. Border (black)
2. Label : Name
3. Illustrator's name & details
4. Monster's level
Step 4:
recommended typefaces for the artwork
B) Sketches
Step 1:
create thumbnail
Step 2:
create border (Adobe Illustrator)
Step 3:
import the background & character
Step 4:
add text
Final Composition Design
Submission Evidence
Feedbacks
Week 5
Sketch 2 isn't very clear, but it's still okay. For sketch 1 & 3, the character in the middle could be drawn bigger to make it stand out more. After making the improvements, sketch 3 was approved by Mr. Fitri, and I proceeded to the line art and colouring stage.
Week 6
Nice! The artwork looks neat and well-coloured. If have extra time, can experiment with the stroke colours. Try using slightly darker tones based on the fill colour such as dark brown for the dog's skin to add more depth. After making the improvements, can move on to the card design stage.
Week 7
The description text could be slightly larger since it's a bit hard to read. Could also try adjusting the brightness of the inner border to create better contrast. Looks good after the improvement, ready to submit.
Reflections
What I enjoyed the most in Task 2 : Composition Design was the process of turning my character into a complete collectible card. It felt exciting to see how the chosen character I designed in Task 1, "Nova Pup" could be placed inside a proper layout with a background, frame, and typography. I especially liked exploring different compositions in Exercise (1), because the thumbnail sketches allowed me to experiment with various perspectives and storytelling ideas before committing to one. Creating the final card in Adobe Illustrator was also satisfying. The combination of line art, colours, gradients, and lighting effects made the card feel more polished and professional.
However, there are areas that I can improve. Some parts of my composition can be pushed further, especially in creating more dynamic depth between the foreground, middle-ground, and background. My card layout can also be more balanced, such as improving spacing between elements, and making the visual hierarchy clearer. In addition, my lighting and shading could be more consistent to strengthen the mood and atmosphere of the card. If I had more time, I would also like to add more detailed elements on the card frame to enhance the collectible-card feel.
Overall, through Task 2 : Composition Design helped me understand how composition, character design and layout work together. It also taught me how to organise visual elements in a structured way to create a final product that feels complete and visually appealing.
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