Dissertation proposal

To what extent are are the disciplines of Image based design and illustration similar?

“Graphic design and illustration used to sleep in the same bed; today they sleep in separate rooms. This is odd, because many designers crave the freedom of expression enjoyed by illustrators, and many are doing work that looks like illustration. What is illustration today?�

Adrian Shaugnessy

Why I chose this subject ?

I love solving problems using image and I am often asked why I didn’t just go on an illustration course.

I believe that an image based designer is different to an illustrator.

They are able to adopt styles to create work which is relevant to different projects, where as an illustrator is usually paid to work in their particular style.

What I will do Using Leeds as a demographic, I will look at how studios use illustration in their work and the differences between illustration carried out by an illustrator and that carried out by a graphic designer. Additionally I will utilise anecdotal evidence from studios, asking them to deďŹ ne the work they do.

While deďŹ ning the differences between the two subjects, I aim to explain the importance of image in design and prove that image based designers still have an important role in graphic design today.

Who is it aimed at ?

I will aim my dissertation at foundation / A level students who are confused about the distinction between the two subjects. The reading of my dissertation could prove helpful for these students in deciding what corse to enrol on to and hopefully prove the importance of the image based designer in graphic design today.

“Whereas graphic design is more anonymous, all illustration is sold for its particular and individual style�

Ed Fella

Preparation I will need to research into how to conduct a professional interview or alternatively produce an academic questionnaire.

This will be used to interview/questionnaire professional designers and illustrators on their opinions concerning illustration and design. The questions I ask will need to be written in a way so that they are not loaded, meaning the answers given are not just giving the answers I want to receive.

I am going to improve my academic writing skills by attending the academic writing sessions which start in september. By attending these sessions I will hopefully improve my triangulation and essay structure.

Primary Sources Interviews/questionnaires

Matthew The Horse - illustration

Nous Vous - Graphic Design / illustration

Lord Whitney - Art Direction

Secondary Sources Interviews/questionnaires

Secondary Sources

Graphic Design:A User’s Manual - Adrian Saughnessy The Education of an Illustrator - Stephen Heller Graphic Design As Communication - Malcolm Barnard What is Illustration ? - Lawrence Zeegen Visual Communication Through Image and Typebased Design - Diane Terry Templeton