REASONING: These Tea Pots were drawn up in class during our tutorial.

TECHNIQUE: Tasked with creating personalities for each pot, the green pot (far left) is 'Happy', the red pot (middle) is 'Angry' and the blue pot (far right) is on holidays. Drawn with a pencil and traced over with a black ball point, I brought the photos into Photoshop to edit them. I lassoed round each one to cut them out. To add interest and further evoke the mood of each pot, I placed a coloured background behind (ie Red = anger). Using a brush I had created for a previous project, I scribbled behind to add depth between the pots and background. I wanted the Tea Pots to look like a final product, rather than a study done in my tutorial. 

REFLECTION: I really struggle to convey my meanings and themes through my drawing skills, however, this simple project taught me that, although I'm very judgmental of my drawing skills, I am able to quickly and effectively persuade the viewer to understand the desired meaning and symbolism. The technique of giving inanimate objects (tea pots) an identity is an example of anamorphism or personification. Adding human qualities enrich and enhance the story, and in the case of comics, adds comical elements while providing a universal understand. By giving a tea pot a personality, which is easily identifiable across different cultures, the story can transcend internationally - without the use of text or translation. Thus, thus week I have tried to take inspiration from universal symbols to evoke the desired story.

The Noun Project is an international site dedicated to aggregating and collating symbols and signs designed by artists around the world. It provides information about the design history of the worlds visual language and provides designers with inspiration and references. When developing all the below comics, it was used as inspiration and reference to ensure each image conveyed the desired message.

References: The Noun Project. (2016). Creating, Sharing and Celebrating the World's Visual language. Retrieved from https://thenounproject.com/​​​​​​​

To further my understanding of universal symbols, I analysed the online PDF booklet: The international language of ISO graphical symbols. Essentially a picture book, it is an important document, providing the definition of International Standard symbols developed by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Each symbol adheres to a set of guidelines (ie colours, shape and content) to ensure the correct message is successfully received - this is critical with many symbols especially safety and health care. 

REASONING: The above set of comics, "Diva Day" is an expansion on Week 3's photojournalism experiment. Having taken many photos of the girls getting ready, I realised my process was just as tedious, however I had not documented it. Thus, I decided to document my ball process through a comic strip.

TECHNIQUES/PROCESSES: The Top left document is my initial sketch with a ball point pen. I then traced over it using a permanent marker (Top Right). Wanting to enhance my picture digitally, I decided to use the iPhone App: Adobe Capture. Part of the new Adobe Creative Cloud, where all programs intergrate harmoniously together, I downloaded the Capture App. Unsure of the functions, I experiemented around and was very surprised with the outcomes. The App allows the user to convert images into patterns, brushes, vector images and selective colour themes - "Create production-ready assets anytime, anywhere" (Adobe, 2016).

I created the final comic (bottom middle) in 5 minutes on the bus heading back from University and am very happy with the end result. The App allowed me to create a digital, vector drawing in less than half the time it would have taken on Adobe Illustrator. 

REFLECTION: Overall, these comics have been an exciting learning curve, involving new software and techniques. Although I feel that using Adobe Illustrator would have resulted in less image distortion and loss that occurred from the Adobe Capture, the effect suited the style and was took 5 mintues. The symbols used are synonymous among many cultures and clearly articulate the story. 

Reference: Adobe. (2016). Adobe Capture. Adobe System Software. Retrieved from http://www.adobe.com/au/products/capture.html.​​​​​​​

REASONING: Being the typical 'poor Uni student', when out shopping it has become sad - due to the empty bank balance. Thus, when tasked with creating an identity comic strip, my mind raced to the Carla Zampatti dress I was eyeing off for ball. However, as illustrated in the above comic, "Dress Disaster", I took one look at the price tag - felt dizzy at the exuberant price - and walked away. I really like this happy, fun and relatable mood of this comic - every girls nightmare!

TECHNIQUE/PROCESS: Created on Adobe Illustrator, this comic took considerable time (unlike Adobe Capture) however I'm very happy with the final product. I included the block, vibrant colours to contrast with the surprised mood of the price of the dress. 

REFLECTION/INSPIRATION: I took direct inspiration from Sarah Anderson's vibrant, funky and fun comics. Her comics are about everyday antics that every girl will understand. The central character is a normal everyday girl, with everyday problems, thus the viewer is persuaded and drawn into the girls comical world. I loved scrolling through these comics and relating to so many - a true indication of creative, successful symbols.