Final Reflection of 2D

 Final Reflection of 2D

This class was a great way to learn or relearn the basics and foundations behind any art form. I learned that there is a lot that goes into making concepts to convey a certain idea. Whether it be icons, index, symbols, or the meaning that comes from certain colors. I loved how we got to play around with different medias instead of focusing on one style. I think my biggest challenge was stepping out of my comfort zone to work with a media I was unfamiliar with or would otherwise not use. My favorite form we did use by far was acrylic paint. It was fun to learn how to mix different colors and blend. Overall I learned a lot from this course and feel grounded in understanding the foundations of art. 

In Class Sketches

 In Class Sketches

Mini Ink Studies

 Mini Ink Studies

 

Color Wheel Series Assignment: Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Pigment Wheels

 

Tints, Shades & Tones Study (Color Value Exploration)

When working on this assignment, I was able to see the difference between tone, shades, and tint. When adding grey, the color gets less saturated, and light compared to black. Adding white makes it lighter while keeping the value. Adding black made it less saturated and much darker than the grey.

Project 3 – Semiotics Triptych (Icon/ Index /Symbol)

My chosen theme is environmental protection, an issue that grows more urgent every year as the effects of environmental degradation become increasingly visible. With this project, I wanted to communicate not only the seriousness of the problem but also the different ways we understand and recognize it. To do this, I created a series of three painted panels, each representing an icon, index, or symbol. Together, they form a visual narrative about the state of our environment and our responsibility to protect it.

In the first panel, I conveyed the index by painting a single iceberg floating in the Arctic Ocean. An index points to evidence of the theme, and this isolated iceberg functions as a visual example of environmental decline. As ice caps melt in the arctic and entire habitats shrink, the single iceberg becomes a powerful marker of a rapidly changing climate.

The second panel represents the icon through the image of a polar bear stranded on a small iceberg. Icons resemble what they represent, and the polar bear has become one of the most recognizable images associated with climate change. By placing the bear on a single, fragmented piece of ice with no others nearby, I emphasize its vulnerability and the importance of environmental protection; that action must be taken to protect this species. 

Finally, the third panel expresses the symbol through a green, healthy plant. Unlike icons or indexes, symbols rely on cultural understanding rather than resemblance. When viewed alongside the other panels, the plant becomes a symbol of hope and renewal, a reminder that environmental protection is not only about loss but also about the possibility of regeneration.

I chose acrylic paint as my medium because it allowed me to blend colors smoothly and create strong contrasts between the good and the bad. Presenting these three panels together highlights the complexities of environmental protection and encourages viewers to reflect on both the damage we witness and the change we can still create.

Sketches:

 

Design Foundations Ink and Paper Transformation

 

    The central theme I chose to explore in this piece is travel, a subject that has always inspired me

because of the way it broadens perspective and connects us to different cultures and landscapes.

For this work, I focused specifically on Jamaica, a place I have personally traveled to and that left a

lasting impact on me. To bring this idea to life, I used elements such as line, symmetry, and contrast.

The use of symmetry is central to the design because it further connects the piece to Jamaica.

To do this I created two elevated landforms facing each other, and in their arrangement they also

create the triangular shape of the Jamaican flag. The high contrast plays an important role as well,

the interaction between black and white creates depth and energy, allowing the shapes and forms

to stand out in a dramatic way. I also created a sense of texture, particularly in the water.

By using the technique of stippling, I created a sense of movement and dimension,

suggesting the sparkling surface of waves. These choices were intentional, as I wanted the

viewer to feel a sense of both calm and nostalgia, much like the experience of traveling itself.

Ultimately, this piece is a reflection of how I experience travel, as an opportunity to experience

new cultures, to notice details I might otherwise overlook, and to find meaning in the connections

between nature, and design. By using formal elements, I aimed to create a work that not only

represents Jamaica but also conveys the excitement and depth that travel brings to my own life.

Practice Sketches: