DESN1200: Drawing Foundations

DESN1200: Drawing Foundations
Jake Knight's student Projects.

Project 01 - Visual Journal + Drawing Portfolio

This project contains my completed Assessment 1 (Parts A and B) from DESN1200.

Part A includes selected in-class drawing exercises completed between Weeks 2–6, focusing on observational drawing, composition, tone, line quality, and other foundational techniques. These drawings reflect my skill development and engagement during hands-on tutorials.

Part B contains 15 independently completed drawings (3 per week for 5 weeks), created outside of class. Each drawing builds upon weekly tutorial themes and expands on key concepts such as tone, space, proportion, and structure. These works highlight my ability to apply drawing principles creatively and independently.

PART A

PART B

Project 02 - Compositonal Drawings Concept Development Folio

This visual storytelling project explores the dark fantasy world of Instinct Comics through a series of three A3 compositional drawings, each accompanied by a detailed development folio.

Created for DESN1200: Drawing Foundations, the series dives deep into narrative-driven design and emotional resonance:

Drawing 1 – Still Life: The Incarnation of Solaris captures the moment a sealed goddess reawakens amidst sacred relics, symbolising dormant power and spiritual rebirth.

Drawing 2 – Cityscape: The City Will Corrupt visualises the aftermath of a corruption attack, showing a lone warrior amid a fractured skyline, evoking loss and survival.

Drawing 3 – Figure Focused: This Face Shouldn’t Exist depicts Adrian Sterling confronting the corrupted form of his late wife, blending emotional trauma with dynamic character storytelling.

Each composition was constructed using a mix of traditional drawing principles, digital 3D model reference, and narrative development. The Concept Development Folio documents the entire design process, from thumbnails and reference boards to composition trials and final rendering.

PART A: Compositonal Drawings

Drawing 1:

Still Life

Brief:

A still life with 5 objects and background (the background is not the focus but a
context. For example, a tabletop or drapery)

Drawing 2:

Cityscape

Brief:

A landscape/cityscape/seascape scene clearly describing foreground, midground and
background with one as the intended focal point.

Drawing 3:

Figure Focused

Brief:

A figure focused work. This work should include a single posed figure or a scenario
where there is a group of figures/people. For example, an individual slumped in a chair
watching TV, or a group sitting around a table at a café.

PART B - Development Work

Project 03 - Magazine Cover + Original Drawing

Created for DESN1200: Drawing Foundations, this project features a digitally illustrated magazine cover that captures the spirit of Newcastle & Community through visual storytelling.

Set in Newcastle’s historic Civic precinct, the composition blends environmental detail, character interaction, and symbolic objects to portray a quiet yet meaningful afternoon shared between locals.

The final A3 magazine cover is accompanied by a comprehensive Project Journal that documents concept development, reference collection, compositional planning, tonal experimentation, and reflection. The project combines traditional drawing principles with digital rendering to explore themes of place, community, and connection.

This work was submitted as part of my Bachelor of Visual Communication Design studies at the University of Newcastle, 2025.