Assignment 3-Final

This is my final result for the birthday card:

Title: Birthday Card

Culture: Chinese Culture

Target: Older generation for example parents and grandparents.

How I celebrate my birthday:

For Chinese, we have 2 birthdays since Chinese tradisonal way to count date is different. My parents used to celebrate my birthday according to the Chinese's date. My mother will prepare 2 eggs for my breakfast. Then, she will give my angpau as a sign for good luck in the coming year. If according to the Western's date, usually I will celebrate with my friends. We will be gathered in a restaurant, having fun there. Last but not least, there will be a cake and presents.

Description for the birthday card:
As written in the previous post, this birthday card is designed especially for the old generation. Thus, the elements that I used in designing the card are more to Chinese's traditional style.

'Shou', is a god that represents long life in Chinese's beliefs. 'Shou' is holding a peach in his hands, wishing someone good luck and long life.

Bamboos are often drawn by Chinese artists in their masterpieces. I add bamboos to my birthday card to make the card looks more attractive.

Circle in the middle-round symbolize gathering. It brings a message that we should spare our time to celebrate birthday with our parents. For them, this will the best present for their birthday.

Red eggs- tradisional present.

Chinese poems-wishing parents and grandparents all the best.

Red colour for the background- tradisional colour for Chinese. Chinese especially older generation believes red can brings good luck or good fortune.

Assignment 3-Part 4

Steps to make my birthday card:
Step 1:
Open a new file> choose the size of the paper> a3> change the width and the height of the paper> name the document>1081107852_bday.

Step 2
I took a picture- 'Shou' from the internet and drag it into Illustrator.
Besides, I took some of the Chinese birthday card as reference.
Below are my pictures:

Links:www.deviantart.com
www.happybuddha.co.uk

Step 3:
I devide the A3-size into two pages. One page is for the images and another page is for the greetings. After that, I start to trace the 'Shou' using pen tool. Always use Zoom Tool to check for mistakes and use Erasor Tool to erase the unwanted lines.

Step 4
I create a lot of layers to differentiate between the clothes and the body of the 'Shou'. After tracing, select the part of clothes and change the shape of the brush. This can create a Chinese calligraphy style. Change the stoke of the brush in order to give different strength to the 'Shou'. Next, click on to the path>select Gradient> drag yellow color to the color box. We can also usr Mesh Tool instead of using Gradient Tool.

Step 5
To give the 'Shou' a more 3D style, I decided to add shadow. Select the outline>choose Effect>Stylize>Drop Shadow.

Step 6
After finish the 'Shou', I draw a rectangular for the background using Rectangular Tool. Then change the gradient of the rectangular. Next, use Pen Tool to create another shape> click Transparency>blending mode: Soft light> Opacity: 22%.

For the greeting parts, duplicate the rectangular by pressing Ctrl+c and Ctrl+v. Change the gradient to Radial Gradient.

Step 7
I would like to give some details for the background. So, I draw a circle using Ellipse Tool. Then I duplicate it> change the scale of the circle> change the gradient of the circle. Then, I draw a rectangular shape behind the circle.

Step 8
Inside the circle, it seems like too empty. Thus, I open Sy mbol> choose Rossette> drag it into the centre of the circle. To change the color of the symbol, I click Object> Expand. I make another 4 copies and paste it on the 4 edges .

To make the symbol in the centre to look more attractive, I add some natural elements on it. I draw a circle and twist it using Twirl Tool.

Step 9
Next, I would like to add bamboo leaves on my images. Instead of using pen tool to trace, I found that Live Trace is more suitable because Live trace can give a better effect. I click on the picture>Live Trace> options: Comic Art>Trace>Expand.

Step 10
Using Text Tool>Vertical Type Tool, I type out the poets in Chinese.

Step 11
For the greetings part, I draw a rectangular in the middle. I change the opacity and the brush type of the rectangular. I use Live Trace to get the bamboos for background. Change the opacity of the bamboos as well.

Step 12
Finally,I create a new layer.
I use Text Tool and type the greetings inside the rectangular. I change the characters for the words as well.
In the bottom right, I draw 2 red eggs.
I draw 1 curve line using pen tool> Effect> 3D> Revolve.

Assignment 3-Part 3

Reference: I took one of the samples that are posted by the lecturer.

I chose this sample because I like the composition of the objects. The dragon in the middle really shows the strength of the cards, meanwhile the decorations are indeed beautiful. For my birthday card, I will replace the dragon with a chinse God, 'Shou'. I will also change the decorations for the background.

Assignment 3-Part 2

For the third assignment, we need to make a birthday card based on our culture.

Inspiration:
Before I start to design the birthday card, I try to search for some designs for birthday cards. I found that most of the designs are for teenagers. Birthday cards that suit older generation are getting lesser. So, I would like to design a birthday card for the older generation, for example parents and grandparents. This is one of the way for me to appreciate them.

Execution:
First, I draw a 'Shou', one of the God in Chinese's beliefs. The 'Shou' is holding a peach in hands which represents long life. Then, I'll add some details such as bamboo leaves and chinese decorations for the background.

Sketch:

Tutorial 3

This is the result for tutorial 3. I did it in the lab.

Assignment 3-Part 1

Make a birthday card-based on culture

Description about how Chinese celebrate their birthday:

The Chinese traditional way to count the age is different from Western way. In China, people take the first day of the Chinese New Year in lunar calendar as the starting point of new age. No matter in which month a child is born, he is one year old, and one more year is added to his age as soon as he enters the New Year.
It is often the grownup sons and daughters who celebrate their elderly parents' birthdays to show their respect for them and express their thanks for what they have done for their children. According to the traditional customs, the parents are offered foods with happy symbolic implications. On the birthday morning the father or mother will eat a bowl of "long life noodles". In China long noodles symbolize a long life. Eggs are also among the best choices of food taken on the special occasion.
Regardless of the scale of the celebration, peaches and noodles, which are both signs of long life, are required. But interestingly the peaches are not real. They are actually steamed wheaten food with sweet stuff inside. They are called peaches just because they are made in the shape of peaches. When the noodles are cooked, they should not cut short, for the shorthened noodles can have bad implication. Everyone at the celebration eats the two foods to extend their best wishes to the long-life star.
The typical birthday presents are usually two or four of eggs, long noodles, artificial peaches, tonics, wine and money in red paper.

The above picture are some of the examples about how Chinese celebrate the birthday.
Link:www.swoo.com/39bday

Assignment 2-Final

This is my final result for the calender:

Title: Merdeka Day
Slogan: Smile Malaysia
Date: 31st of August

History of Independence of Malaysia:
Merdeka Day is a national day of Malaysia as Malaysia has gained independence from British empire. It is celebrated on August 31. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first prime minister cooperated with other parties to fight hard for independence.

Description for slogan:
Smile, is a expression that represent happiness. The main reason that I carried out with this slogan is because there are too many negative or unhappy issues occured in Malaysia. For example, parties are fighting in the Parliament, many sensitive issues are carried out by the presenters and so on. Everyone looks so angry, disappointed and frustrated with these problems. The strength of relationship between Chinese, Malays and Indians are loosen up.Our First Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman and his colleagues have fight so hard for the independence of Malaysia, we, as the younger generation should inherit their spirits in order to make Malaysia better. Smile Malaysia actually brings the message that we should overcome every problems peacefully. We should tolerate with one another, so that everyone can have a harmony, peaceful life in Malaysia.

Description for calender:

• 3 kids- represent the 3 major races in Malaysia, for example Malays, Chinese and Indians.

• smile on the face- represent the happiness .

• colourful background- represent Malaysia. Malaysia indeed a colourful country with unique cultures, traditions and languages. Besides that, Malaysia is surrounded by tropical rain forests and seas. Forests are represented by Green colour and seas are represented by Blue colour.

• calender in red and white- to make contrast, as well as to grab attention.