OUIL603 Initial Statement of Intent #2

Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION OUIL603 Extended Practice

Level

06

Credits

60

STUDIO PRACTICE Statement of Intent Name

Jess Dawson

Blog Address

Date

18 / 10 / 2017

http://j-dawson1417-sp.blogspot.co.uk/

Rationale During this module I would like to take on briefs and projects that will help me to further develop and improve upon a range of methods and skills in keeping with the diverse nature of my practice. These methods in particular are my analogue printing skills (such as screen print and linocut), my 3D paper cut / engineering skills and my digital skills (such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.) By developing my practice in these areas I will achieve higher quality outcomes adaptable for use across a range of contexts within areas of the industry that interest me, in turn focusing and professionalizing my portfolio to gain the best possible interest from art directors, design agencies and prospective clients.

Themes / Subjects • Music • Nature & Environment • Publishing & Narrative • Educational • Factual, current issues, ethics Products / Methods of Distribution • Posters, postcards, fliers • Prints, printed products • Publication artwork (zines, book, covers, spot illustrations, educational) • 3D artwork, interactive art • Album artwork, music merchandise (CD, vinyl covers, posters, collectables) • Apparel • Stationary (journal, diary, notebook jackets, post-its, calendars, card & envelope sets...)

• Accessories (stickers, key rings, badges / patches, tattoo transfer, stamps, tote bags...)

• Products, Packaging, Branding • Collections, sets, campaigns • Exhibitions / galleries / shows • Sold / appear in: - Art, craft creative stores - Online stores (Etsy, via my website, big cartel, commercial sites...)

- Art markets, artwork / zine fairs, book fairs - Competition sites & events - Bookstores

Practical Skills / Media / Formats Improve and develop skills in: • Analogue printing techniques: Lino cut, screenprint • Digital: Photoshop, Illustrator, Wacom techniques & application / printing • Pen and Ink: Dip pen, ink (acrylic, Indian), Rotring • Pencil, colouring pencils, graphite • Paint: Spray & stencil, gouache, acrylic, watercolour, marbling • Paper cut: collage, hand cut, 3D engineering, pop up • Colour, light, shape & composition • Problem solving and communication • Storytelling and narrative

Brief 1: 1 Letter a Week

th Deadline 9 April 2017

Rationale: Self-initiated brief / project Based on an international project brief I stumbled upon via social media (Instagram) called ‘36 Days of Type’, this typographical challenge is something I have always wanted to attempt. A lover of all things type as well as series / sets of work, I like the challenge of creating a new piece per week, committing to posting the final outcomes via social media and resulting in a working typeface which could be used across a variety of applications. An interesting way to approach work, explore the themes / subjects that inspire me as an illustrator (i.e. the ocean, Africa), improve and develop my digital skills in Adobe Illustrator and increase online presence.

Note: Can see this leading to much larger project – Final Major Project? Educational publication / vignette poster / postcard & stationary collection?

Brief 2: Secret 7

Deadline March 2017

Rationale: Competition / live brief I really enjoyed this brief last year and had some success with one of my 7 designs making into the exhibition. I like the structure of the brief as a whole, find the diverse music choice exciting and varied to respond too and music illustration is something I am really interested in exploring further within my practice. The chance to have another go, create a collection of pieces fit for exhibition, sales of which go to a really great cause, is a lovely opportunity and really current / relevant within the industry I aim to be a part of.

Brief 3: Penguin Random House Student Design Awards

th Deadline March 7 2017

Rationale: Competition / live brief I regret not taking part in any "book cover" illustration briefs last year despite being really inspired by the texts, therefore would love the opportunity to broaden my communicative skills and focus on narrative. The Penguin Random House Student Design Award has been announced, and I find all 3 texts interesting, inspiring and full of potential. This is a chance to get stuck into a full on, "high status" brief and produce a beautiful set of functional illustrations, with the possibility of gaining contacts, acclaim etc, from major publishing houses. Exciting!

Brief 4: D&AD, YCN

Deadline March 2017

Rationale: Competition / live brief Introduced to both YCN & D&AD competition briefs last year, I was inspired by them all and being given the opportunity to create work for huge names in branding and advertising is something not to be missed. Having only attempted one of the briefs (John Lewis) as part of a collaborative effort last year (and having a bit of a disaster), I would like the challenge of giving one (or more) of the briefs another go in the hope of creating fresh, new, industry relevant work asap, gain a better understanding of the industry, push my application of skills as an illustrator, hopefully be successful in the awards and improve my portfolio. A great opportunity that I can undertake solo OR a chance to collaborate again with other colleagues.

Brief 5: Narrative & Print (‘About the Author’)

Deadline February 2017

Rationale: Self-initiated brief / project I got stuck into this brief last year, with the outcomes being some of my personal best and the wellrounded structure appeals to the way in which I like to approach work. I enjoy attempting to convey narrative through visuals and the research aspect and opportunity to become an expert on an author and their life/works/legacy is really exciting. I want the chance to improve and develop my analogue printing skills by creating another (screen / lino) collection - set - series of pieces based on inspirational creative writing pieces. Possible authors: Italo Calvino, Edward Lear's nonsense poetry.