Assignment 1

Approach/Initial Thought Process:

My initial approach was to recreate the image taken in Stage 1 by including most, if not all the car's details, then subsequently remove certain details and elements to minimalize the car as much as possible. The software used for this assignment was Adobe Illustrator.

To recreate the image, I first used the "pen tool" in Stages 1 to 3, then transitioned to using the "shape tool" in the last 2 stages to simplify the car as far as possible. The "pen tool" was very useful in tracing straight lines and curves of the original image. Moving on, I used a variety of shapes in the last 2 stages, namely rectangles, ellipses, as well as polygons.

Similar to what was taught during the tutorials, I also made sure to separate each stage with layers and to lock the layers when I was done editing them to prevent accidental edits.

The "pen" and "shape" tools were very useful in the execution of this assignment

Using (locked) layers aided my workflow as it enabled me to separate each stage of the abstraction, as well as avoid any unwanted edits to completed images 

Breakdown of Stage 1 to show various lines and shapes used

Finally, I used Illustrator to lay out the images as well

Overview of my workspace

Original Abstraction Piece:

Final Abstraction Piece:

Commentary and Reflection:

Since this was my first time using Adobe Illustrator (aside from during tutorials), this assignment was daunting. I had practically zero experience, yet I had to complete a seemingly complicated task on my own. Despite having recess week to finish the assignment, I still had doubts as to whether I would be able to meet the deadline.

I am someone who likes to simplify complicated tasks. To me, a lot of the tools (e.g. shape tool, pen tool, etc.) could be found in similar Microsoft applications like PowerPoint and Paint that I was already far more accustomed to using. It would have taken me less than half the time to complete this assignment if I had used those applications instead.

However, I took this assignment as a personal challenge and aimed to improve my proficiency with the Adobe suite. After all, that was one of my main intentions behind signing up for NM3217. Although it took me some time to get used to the controls, with the help of the tutorial recordings, I managed to get the hang of things. Before I knew it, I had already completed the first draft to be submitted before week 7's tutorial. Needless to say, editing the draft for my final submission was a much less anxiety-inducing affair. Moreover, the more I used Illustrator, the more I realized that it was a far more comprehensive  and competent tool than any of Microsoft's applications.

During the critique session, I was advised to retain the red color of the car. After all, not many cars are red and keeping the color would help to preserve a key element of the car I photographed. Our Teaching Assistant also suggested that I reduce the use of grey and play around with having more white elements. Thus, these were the considerations I kept in mind and factored into the revised abstraction piece. 

Overall, I think that the work has improved because the final abstraction stage is simper, yet still identifiable as a car. Furthermore, the car's color is maintained throughout, which makes the whole assignment more vibrant, more striking, and generally more pleasing to the eye.