Module 1 - How to draw a Croissant

Step 1: Setting up a photo stage

Having only one light source, it required me to have a one light one reflector setup for the photos. By taping several large white papers, I created a back drop as well as placing a reflector on the right. This makes it much easier to produce a clean background for the croissant images.

Thoughts: It was a struggle getting the lighting right. In this instance, trying to emphasize on the curves and shape of the croissant. I am glad to have experienced this exercise as in the near future I would be easier to take photos of building models.

Fig. 1.01 Photo stage setup in my room

Here are the croissant photos taken using the setup above:

Fig. 1.02 Croissant photographed on 3 angles

Step 2: Scanning Croissant Sections

For the next phase, I was tasked to cut the croissant in equal halves along the short length, followed by another two parallel cuts on one half of the croissant. I then scanned them on the designated scanner in school.

Thoughts: When scanning the croissant, the challenge was making sure it produced a clear image of the sections. Applying pressure on the croissant while scanning made the image more defined which could help in my drawings in the next stage. At this point of time, I became more aware and curious of the objects I handle. I started asking myself questions like "How does this work?", "How does it look like inside of this?". Looking at buildings, fixtures and sculptures, I started seeing things on a different level, as cliche as it sounds. I think this exercise brought my interest in Architecture to the next level.

Fig. 1.03 Scanning the croissant pieces

Fig. 1.04 Cleaning up the scanned croissant pieces

Here are the scanned croissant pieces:

Fig. 1.05 Scanned croissant images

Step 3: Composing the Photographs

and Scanned Croissant

Having a bottom scan of the croissant would be a great reference to the other images, ensuring scale and alignment is in order. I gave inDesign a try for composing the images.

Thoughts: It took me several times getting the right adjustments on the croissant images. Sometimes, the images turned out different than what was projected in my computer. Playing around with different layouts gave me an idea of how to properly utilize the space on paper as well as keeping it neat.

Fig. 1.06 Draft layout using the bottom scan as a reference

Fig. 1.07 Using inDesign for composing images

Fig. 1.08 Pencil sketch above and pen hatch on the right

Step 4: Croissant Pen Hatch & Pencil Sketching

The module required me to hand draw the plan view with a pen and the remaining with a pencil. This part of the exercise emphasizes the use of depth in the drawings to create a more realistic look as well as familiarising with drawing technics.

Thoughts: I started with HB pencil and worked my way up to 6B. This stage was tough and time-consuming to me. It required a lot of focus and attention to detail. It has helped improve my photographic-memory referring to the image and trying to replicate it on my drawing.

Fig. 1.09 Axonometric drawing process

Step 5: Axonometric Drawing

Through the teachings, I was taught how to do an axonometric drawing of the croissant as shown above. By using grids over the sections, I was able to construct the outline of the croissant before drawing over it.

Thoughts: Compared to a perspective drawing, an axonometric drawing is accurate and much more relative to the scale. Through this exercise, I would be able to apply this technic to other drawings in the future.

Here are my finalized drawing sheets:

Reflection

Reflecting on this exercise, I learned about the importance of representation as an aspiring designer. In my own view, I understand that any work that is presented will always have a form of communication with the reader. Whether in graphics or text, there is a vast amount of ways it presents itself to the reader or how the reader perceives it.

With an understanding of representation, one could direct the reader that articulates the intended meaning behind the designer’s work without the need to explain. Drawing a circle and shading it grey presents itself as a grey circle. But adding darker shades of grey to one end of the circle presents itself as a ball. With that in mind, the question “What is being conveyed?” would be the backbone of my design approach for the projects that lie ahead of me.

The first module was a creative and interesting experience for me. I found what was interesting was to explore what lies within an object. In this instance, a croissant. This simple exercise made me curious about my surroundings. Walking home from school, suddenly, I wanted to know more about how the tram shelters were constructed. It was something I never thought I would be curious about.

Reflecting on myself upon completing my work, I felt that my thinking was possibly a tad bit more critical. Questions like “Why? How?”. There is a sense of a need to acquire new knowledge. A sudden thirst for justification upon questioning its existence.

RUBEN

FONG WEI JAY | PORTFOLIO

Module 1 - How to draw a Croissant

Step 1: Setting up a photo stage

Having only one light source, it required me to have a one light one reflector setup for the photos. By taping several large white papers, I created a back drop as well as placing a reflector on the right. This makes it much easier to produce a clean background for the croissant images.

Thoughts: It was a struggle getting the lighting right. In this instance, trying to emphasize on the curves and shape of the croissant. I am glad to have experienced this exercise as in the near future I would be easier to take photos of building models.

Fig. 1.01 Photo stage setup in my room

Here are the croissant photos taken using the setup above:

Fig. 1.02 Croissant photographed on 3 angles

Step 2: Scanning Croissant Sections

For the next phase, I was tasked to cut the croissant in equal halves along the short length, followed by another two parallel cuts on one half of the croissant. I then scanned them on the designated scanner in school.

Fig. 1.03 Scanning the croissant pieces

Fig. 1.04 Cleaning up the scanned croissant pieces

Here are the scanned croissant pieces:

Fig. 1.05 Scanned croissant images

Step 3: Composing the Photographs

and Scanned Croissant

Having a bottom scan of the croissant would be a great reference to the other images, ensuring scale and alignment is in order. I gave inDesign a try for composing the images.

Thoughts: It took me several times getting the right adjustments on the croissant images. Sometimes, the images turned out different than what was projected in my computer. Playing around with different layouts gave me an idea of how to properly utilize the space on paper as well as keeping it neat.

Fig. 1.06 Draft layout using the bottom scan as a reference

Fig. 1.07 Using inDesign for composing images

Fig. 1.08 Pencil sketch above and pen hatch on the right

Step 4: Croissant Pen Hatch & Pencil Sketching

The module required me to hand draw the plan view with a pen and the remaining with a pencil. This part of the exercise emphasizes the use of depth in the drawings to create a more realistic look as well as familiarising with drawing technics.

Thoughts: I started with HB pencil and worked my way up to 6B. This stage was tough and time-consuming to me. It required a lot of focus and attention to detail. It has helped improve my photographic-memory referring to the image and trying to replicate it on my drawing.

Fig. 1.09 Axonometric drawing process

Step 5: Axonometric Drawing

Through the teachings, I was taught how to do an axonometric drawing of the croissant as shown above. By using grids over the sections, I was able to construct the outline of the croissant before drawing over it.

Thoughts: Compared to a perspective drawing, an axonometric drawing is accurate and much more relative to the scale. Through this exercise, I would be able to apply this technic to other drawings in the future.

Here are my finalized drawing sheets:

Reflection

Foundations of Design: Representation

RUBEN

FONG WEI JAY | PORTFOLIO

Module 1 - How to draw a Croissant

Step 1: Setting up a photo stage

Having only one light source, it required me to have a one light one reflector setup for the photos. By taping several large white papers, I created a back drop as well as placing a reflector on the right. This makes it much easier to produce a clean background for the croissant images.

​

Thoughts: It was a struggle getting the lighting right. In this instance, trying to emphasize on the curves and shape of the croissant. I am glad to have experienced this exercise as in the near future I would be easier to take photos of building models.

Fig. 1.01 Photo stage setup in my room

Here are the croissant photos taken using the setup above:

Fig. 1.02 Croissant photographed on 3 angles

Step 2: Scanning Croissant Sections

For the next phase, I was tasked to cut the croissant in equal halves along the short length, followed by another two parallel cuts on one half of the croissant. I then scanned them on the designated scanner in school.

Fig. 1.03 Scanning the croissant pieces

Fig. 1.04 Cleaning up the scanned croissant pieces

Here are the scanned croissant pieces:

Fig. 1.05 Scanned croissant images

Step 3: Composing the Photographs

and Scanned Croissant

Having a bottom scan of the croissant would be a great reference to the other images, ensuring scale and alignment is in order. I gave inDesign a try for composing the images.

Fig. 1.06 Draft layout using the bottom scan as a reference

Fig. 1.07 Using inDesign for composing images

Fig. 1.08 Pencil sketch above and pen hatch on the right

Step 4: Croissant Pen Hatch & Pencil Sketching

The module required me to hand draw the plan view with a pen and the remaining with a pencil. This part of the exercise emphasizes the use of depth in the drawings to create a more realistic look as well as familiarising with drawing technics.

Thoughts: I started with HB pencil and worked my way up to 6B. This stage was tough and time-consuming to me. It required a lot of focus and attention to detail. It has helped improve my photographic-memory referring to the image and trying to replicate it on my drawing.

Fig. 1.09 Axonometric drawing process

Step 5: Axonometric Drawing

Through the teachings, I was taught how to do an axonometric drawing of the croissant as shown above. By using grids over the sections, I was able to construct the outline of the croissant before drawing over it.

Thoughts: Compared to a perspective drawing, an axonometric drawing is accurate and much more relative to the scale. Through this exercise, I would be able to apply this technic to other drawings in the future.

Here are my finalized drawing sheets:

Reflection

Foundations of Design: Representation