GRA-ILLUSTRATION COURSE _ HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN POSTER

For this project, we were asked to design a poster about a writer, and mine was Hans Christian Andersen, the beloved Danish author known for his timeless fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Snow Queen. I began by researching Andersen’s life and literary journey, gaining insight into the emotional depth and imaginative worlds he created. His personal story, marked by hardship, resilience.

Using Photoshop, I translated these themes into a dreamlike composition. I combined elements that reflect both his storytelling and his personal history, including layered textures, and symbolic imagery that evokes the magical yet melancholic tone.

GRA-ILLUSTRATION _ EMOTIONS

This graphic design project explores the intersection of spontaneity, symmetry, and emotion through a simple yet expressive process. The work begins with an intuitive act: dropping ink onto a blank sheet of paper. Without controlling the exact outcome, then I fold the paper in half, allowing the ink to spread and mirror itself naturally. Upon opening the paper, a unique, abstract image appears, formed entirely by chance.

This moment becomes the foundation for the next phase: interpretation. I closely observe the resulting form and intuitively associate it with a specific human emotion. Then, I begin to draw over and around the inkblot, shaping the abstract into something more familiar, something that visually conveys the emotion I see within the form.

To further refine the composition, I import the drawing into Photoshop, where I edit, enhance, and layer elements to strengthen the emotional expression. The result is a fusion of chance and design, a visual exploration of how randomness can evoke emotion and how design can give it structure and clarity.

GRA-ILLUSTRATION _ BOOK COVER

For this assignment, I designed a whimsical and narrative-driven book cover titled “6 MARUL ALDIM” (I Bought 6 Lettuces). The concept centers around two illustrated rabbit characters: one is a market vendor selling lettuce, and the other is a buyer rabbit, excitedly purchasing six of them. To enrich the visual storytelling and evoke a nostalgic, storybook-like feel, I integrated various textures and patterns into the background and paper surface. These elements give the cover a slightly aged, tactile appearance like a beloved book passed down over time. The textures help ground the illustration in a more authentic, handmade aesthetic.

GRA-ILLUSTRATION _ CONCEPT CHARACTER

In this assignment, I was given the concept of a “mad scientist with a goatie” and tasked with bringing it to life using only pre-given patterns in Adobe Illustrator. To build the visual identity of the mad scientist, I focused on expressive facial features wild, swirling hair, a dramatic curved goatie, and wide, unpredictable eyes, and all created through patterns given to us. I used the provided Illustrator patterns not only as decorative textures but also to enhance the character’s clothing, tools, and accessories, giving depth and personality to the design.

The result is a visually playful and chaotic character that feels both absurd and intriguing. This project challenged me to work within creative constraints while still delivering a unique and lively character through shape, texture, and imagination.