End of Module Student Evaluation BA (Hons) Illustration Module Code: OUIL504 Illustration 1: Production & Presentation Name: Josh Atkinson Student ID: ja259815 5A5: Demonstrate an informed understanding of issues relating to image, media, format and context through the delivery of solutions to identified visual problems. (Knowledge & Understanding - Critical Awareness)
As my outcomes have been produced through digital print it meant that I could structure or compose my outcomes in such a way that would not be possible or very hard to get right effectively enough if they were to be screen-printed for example. I now understand through working with After effects how only certain forms of image are appropriate and will work in animation form and I have reflected on my blog about pursuing a possible direction which involves these processes.
Good
5A6: Understand the potential and limitations of a range of processes, technologies and techniques involved in the development and production of work for print and screen based delivery. (Knowledge & Understanding Research)
As a result of working through the different processes during this module I feel I have discovered through testing and experimentation a certain process that I could very well push on with and certainly has potential for my practice as a whole. With a combination of print processes such as Lino and mono with the skills I am improving on with Photoshop I certainly feel I have developed a new way to work with and am happy with. This is evidenced through my Photoshop tests and on my studio practice blog.
Very good
5B4: Analyse and critically evaluate primary/secondary source material to inform the development and contextualisation of ideas, concepts and products through individual responses to set briefs. (Cognitive Skills - Problem Analysis, Problem Solving)
I feel I have used concept and that way of thinking Very good about my work in an interesting and effective way, by using my passion of music within my work/prints and finding the common link with that in Douglas Adams as well. At first I was a bit lost with what exactly to focus on with my chosen author and I didn’t really have a set theme or one main thing that was tieing it all together but from evaluating what I wanted to truly make personally, I was able to tap into that way of thinking and ended up making work I am really pleased with.
5C4: Select, manipulate and apply appropriate media, processes and technologies in the development, production and presentation of ideas, concepts and products. (Practical Skills - Practical and Conceptual Development)
I decided fairly early on in the module, particularly the print brief, that I would be producing digital prints with the incorporated print textures within the outcomes as I knew that I wanted to use Photoshop for my outcomes. The main reason is because I am learning and developing my skills on the software every time I use it. Therefore, that Is why I knew it was my preferred and appropriate media.
Very good
5C5: Identify, evaluate and apply practical/technical processes, materials and media in order to produce technically competent and conceptually appropriate outcomes. (Practical Skills - Visual Quality and Technical Competence)
I believe that my outcomes are both technically Very good competent and are conceptually driven with that main core theme of music running through them which demonstrates mine and my chosen authors passion for it. I have applied a variety of process such as incorporating Lino elements into the final outcomes as well as selective textures where appropriate. I feel my sting evidences this most with my own produced soundtrack which again involves my creative influences outside of illustration.
5D4: Demonstrate the ability to communicate the development and resolution of ideas through appropriate visual and written presentation of work. (Key Transferable Skills Presentation and Evaluation)
I considered the importance of presentation with all my work such as making neat and professional folders for each type of work to go into. I believe I am aware that there is areas of reflection that may not have been documented down when they were most needed and probably at pivotal points however I used the blog correctly as a platform for reflection as well as documenting all the points of my process through the module.
Very good
Summative Evaluation
At the beginning of this module and indeed just under half way through I felt very daunted and overwhelmed by the prospect of all the work that needed to be produced and the fact that it was going to involve print, a process I would always avoid. Reflecting on this now I feel it was because I hadn’t found my common thread or even interest with my work and myself as a practitioner. I had no idea of how to merge my interest in music with my illustrations and if I could how would I go about it process wise. From the help of peers and tutors I was given a second wind so to speak and was encouraged greatly to merge the two passions together which was something I never thought I could do. I feel that a great deal of learning has took place, one main thing is I have learned I can have confidence in my work as long as I am enjoying what I am making it about. This was a problem as first because I wasn’t focusing it on any area in particular that I wanted to focus on. I have discovered through the print process new possibilities and new approaches to how I can produce my work i.e with Lino and the crossover of digital. I am learning digitally through Photoshop all the time and I look to only expand those skills in order to carry on producing work I feel I am happy to produce and have a keen interest in discovering. I feel my blog has been used as an important tool to reflect on aspects such as these, I have certainly discussed and evaluated my new discovery of how to focus my interest in my work. Also on my blog I have documented any relevant and useful practitioner that I may come across or I might have suggested to me by peers. In addition to this I believe I have made better use this time around with the way of seeking out other creative influences and using them and reflecting on how they can or will inform my practice. Not narrowing this down to just illustrators Is highly important to my development. It could be animators, designers, artists, musicians etc. who could hold importance to me in terms of creative influences and I believe I have applied this way of thinking as I have progressed through the research and development stages quite well. I feel the final two briefs is what has gone especially well for me, which is the general way it should go in terms of an explorative process such as this module. I am very happy with my prints, from the way in which my linos have been utilized to the new consideration of colour and what works effectively in order to set the desired tone of my work. At times it did get a bit laboring the way in which I had to depend on the computer
to create my outcomes i.e. staring at a screen constantly but that was the only downside to the process I chose. I have enjoyed it because I have discovered the importance of making work I want to make rather than passively and meaninglessly churning something out. With this I believe I have demonstrated the correct level of commitment and determination and I have certainly made the most of the studio hours in order to get my outcomes finished and up to a standard I am more than satisfied with. I feel my real problems were there from the onset and continued to be there until I sorted out what I wanted to do in terms of the whole brief and again I’m referencing the way in which I discovered how to focus my work through centering it around the theme of music. Organizational skills were much to be desired near the start and there are still little blips even now such as keeping sketchbooks up to a high standard and making sure I am using them as a reflective experimental tool. However, that all stems from not knowing where my head or my heart was at that time. I am now pleased to say at this moment in time I feel my work is where I want it to be and it means that although there are still areas within my practice to refine everything else has improved dramatically. Finally, I am now more than aware that when I shy away from something that is what causes me to get bogged down and as a result of it I completely lose my drive and focus. So with this in mind I will do my best to learn that the way to progress, learn and discover is through not shying away as you can find a whole new process that never existed before purely from testing and experimentation. This to me is a new exciting prospect and I intend to apply this new bold attitude again in order to progress to a stage in which I could not previously envisage.