ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE ---- TASK 3

9.6.2025  - 29.6.2025 (Week 08 - Week 10)
Lee Xiang Ling / 0384095 
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University
Task 3 / Animated Composition

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TASK

We are creating a horizontal illustration based on the theme provided by the Honor Official 2025 Designer Competition. 

Themes:

• Renewal of life - Return : Environmental Protection
• Cultural Prosperity - Celebration : Traditional Cultural Innovation
• Genesis - The Future : The Fusion of Tech & Art
• Youth Convergence - Integration : International Cultural Exchange through a Youth Lens

The theme I chose is Renewal of life - Return : Environmental Protection. I plan to develop a horizontal illustration based on this concept, bring it to life through animation in After Effects, and integrate it into a product design to reflect both the visual story and the core idea behind the theme.

Title: Born of Fire

RATIONALE

This is a digital illustration with profound symbolic meaning. The work conveys my thoughts and appeals on environmental issues through strong visual contrast.

The picture depicts a scene of a raging forest fire, with animals fleeing in panic, symbolizing the fragility and helplessness of life in the face of disaster. On the charred earth, a seedling quietly sprouts in the embers of the fire, a beam of light symbolizing hope penetrates the thick smoke and falls on it, and a drop of water slowly slides down from the leaves. That drop of water may be tears, or it may be the last breath of nature, but it is also a gentle and firm promise to the future.

This work unfolds with symbolism:

1. Forest fire: symbolizes the continuous destruction caused by human uncontrolled development and ecological destruction;,
2. Fleeing deer: symbolizes life's cry for survival and hope;,
3. New seedlings and the light of hope: symbolize nature's response to the call, and although life is severely damaged, it still chooses to return;,
4. Slowly falling water drops: symbolize hope, tears, and a deep commitment to the future of the earth.

I hope that this work will arouse people's reflection on the destruction of natural ecology and convey a belief: Even a little change, a small action, can be the beginning of saving nature. As long as we are willing to work hard for environmental protection, life will eventually be reborn and green will eventually return.

MOODBOARD

Fig. 1.1 - Moodboard

SKETCHES

Fig. 1.2 - Sketches (draw in Procreate)

FINAL PRODUCTS

Fig. 2.1 - Accessories Design

Fig. 2.2 - Overall Visual Design

Fig. 2.3 - Animation Design

TECHNIQUES APPLIED

For this project, I started by creating a horizontal illustration using Procreate, which allowed me to sketch and paint more freely by hand. Once the artwork was complete, I imported it into Adobe Illustrator and converted it into vector format, making it easier to adapt for animation and product integration. I used the golden spiral composition to guide the viewer’s eye and ensure a smooth, balanced visual flow.

To bring the illustration to life, I animated key elements in Adobe After Effects, adding movement, light transitions, and scene changes to create a more immersive experience. I also used effects like opacity shifts, motion blur, and the puppet tool to add depth and subtle motion, giving the artwork a more dynamic feel.

Finally, I integrated the animated illustration into a product mockup to explore its potential in real-world applications — aiming not only for visual appeal, but also for functionality and storytelling in design.

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INSTRUCTIONS

 <iframe allow="autoplay" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwBMvlzvQSplmszHOc3g90F0PuRCn_c5/preview" width="640"></iframe>

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REFLECTIONS

This project was both challenging and rewarding for me. It was my first time combining three platforms — Procreate, Illustrator, and After Effects — in a single workflow. From hand-drawing the illustration to converting it into vector format and finally animating it, each stage helped me better understand the unique role each tool plays in the creative process.

At first, I struggled with turning my hand-drawn illustration into a clean vector image, especially when it came to adjusting line smoothness and preserving fine details. However, after some trial and error, I gradually became more comfortable with Illustrator and its visual language.

Animating the piece in After Effects was particularly eye-opening. It wasn’t just about movement — it was about learning how to make visuals speak. One of the biggest challenges I faced was bringing the animated fire to life. Making fire look dynamic and believable was more difficult than I expected. I had to closely observe how flames behave in real life, and after several attempts, I finally found the right approach that added motion and emotional intensity to the scene.

Overall, this project not only improved my technical skills, but also gave me the confidence to explore cross-platform and multi-media workflows. It taught me to value composition, mood, and real-world application in design — making it a truly valuable learning experience.