JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
2000 word critical self-reflection on own practice and presentation of final year work, evidence of personal planning and development in career aims, supported by relevant promotional materials (examples include ‘portfolio’, show reel, CV, business cards website, other entrepreneurial activities).
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
PRE-MAJOR PROJECT (PMP) In the PMP I made a series of drawings in which I used landscapes as symbolic carriers for the chosen theme of Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. The most beneficial outcome was the extension of my visual language; especially mark-making and pencil line qualities. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”. ~Thomas Merton
Julianna K. Romano Illustrator & Image-maker currently based in Bournemouth, UK. Originally from Finland but grew up in Belgium. Speaks Finnish, English and French. My work is inspired by people, places and stories. The re-occuring themes of cultural beliefs, relationships with our environment, childhood memories, quietness, nature, transformation, dreams and dichotomies. Their interpretation take the form of a landscape, so the composition itself is the carrier, the metaphor.
Throughout the PMP it came clearer to me that the success of the final images was attributed to the importance of drawing as a primary source of research and as a means of evaluation in itself. The exploration in PMP encouraged me to further develop my drawings, making more challenging and complex compositions and improved my confidence of line. It encouraged me to focus upon an individual project as a means of exploring and clarifying concerns for remainder of my level 6 studies (PMP A2), and clarified theoretical and practical areas for exploration during the subsequent Major Project and in relation to my self-development and vocational aspirations (PMP LO2). I enjoy my work being driven by some kind of a narrative.
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
Metaphor of landscape For the Major project I needed to find source material, which would visually inspire me and allow me to apply what I learned in the PMP, so I chose interpretations of arctic folktales. Their narrative unfolds as the viewer is absorbed by the idyllic, almost surrealist environment. These ambivalent spaces between reality and the imagination are colored by the cultural heritage and Nordic nature. The hand drawn images are an encounter between landscape and a dreamlike narrative, with an emphasis on qualities of hand drawn textures and patterns. “I want your first trip to be with me. I want to show you cities and landscapes and teach you how to look at things in new ways and how to get along in places you don’t already know inside out. I want to put some life in you…” Tove Jansson, from her book Art in Nature. “You connect yourself to the viewer by sharing something that is inside of you that connects with something inside of him. All you have as your guide is that you know what moves you.” ~Steven Brust
“Humans are pattern-seeking story-telling animals, and we are quite adept at telling stories about patterns, whether they exist or not.” ― Michael Shermer
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
Although my work in Level 6 has been primarily based on hand drawn landscapes, throughout the Major Project I have learned and applied the knowledge on increased complexity and rigour of creative production required for this unit as well as in professional practise. To locate my work and identify my audience I have used the feedback from tutors, peers, family, and undertook some research. I have also taken in consideration my multilingual and –cultural background, my awareness of professional and commercial context in the UK due to my degree BA (Hons) Illustration. I would see Scandinavia as the primary audience/focus target group for my work, for the communication of storytelling and shared values with this target group. From there on with the help of collaborations and the right commissions I could then further make fusions and expansions. The niche market is drawn in by functional, simple design, visually lasting classics and style ethics. My products would be sold by direct selling, online shops (etsy, folksy, bigcartel..) and if successful, expanding to 3rd party retailers. I am still to find the most suitable online shop or market to use for selling my work. ONLINE SHOP DIRECT SELLING 3RD PARTY RETAILERS There are certain aspects and qualities in Finnish design that coincide with my professional aims, ambitions and values I can identify with, and a visual language which is familiar to me,
“Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.” ― Alfred North Whitehead
Currently central aspects are originality, essentials and a niche market. Progressions are happening in innovative use of materials, vibrancy, simplicity, warmth, poetic. It is not based on trends: there is awareness of importance of long-lasting, ‘timeless’ essentials. A part of the progression is currently a rise of small bespoke collectives working in textiles and other homeware.
“Lasting everyday design against throwawayism.” Iittala Key features of British design are identified as imaginative, commercial, forward-oriented, freebut also eclectic, over-designed and eccentric. It is large, dense and developed. (Design Forum Finland)
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
“We value certain buildings for their ability to rebalance our misshapen natures and encourage emotions which our predominant commitments force us to sacrifice.” Alain de Botton
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
Online shops are on the rise as a great starting point for selling in the UK and internationally at the moment. -Start with direct selling and selling through online markets (etsy, folksy, bigcartel). This will be vital to identify the audience and market opportunities and their location -Collaborations with different practice professionals, brands, companies… -With successful selling of merchandise through direct and online selling, Find a 3rd party retailer like lifestyle shops etc. even for temporary stock to assess vending. Branding : idea: core statement central to briefing for the creation of storytelling/communication ideas. -Niche market of Scandinavian and Nordic audiences : simple design, visual references, companies and retailers (IvanaHelsinki, Finlayson, Marimekko, Arabia, Iittala…), and a rise of small bespoke collectives. Branding is very important in the success of Finnish Design. The brand ideas and core values together create a tool / platform for storytelling and for communicating of ideas. An ideal example of a small upcoming collective is Kauniste, working with textiles and homeware : “Inspirational Everyday Textiles” . The brand describes itself in the following words: “Kauniste was created by uniting the talents of young Scandinavian graphic designers and craftsmen. Our aim is to combine the best of both worlds: fresh design and traditional screen printing skills. We work to bring you items that can be used and cherished in the daily life for decades to come[…]We want to make patterns and products that last and keep bringing joy to your home past seasonal trends.” Kauniste’s products range from kitchen towels, bags, cushion covers, aprons, trays, blankets, sponge wipes and calendars. They have an online shop, a few boutiques in Finland and retailers all over the world. (Over 20 in Japan)
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
ONLINE PRESENCE High Noon Show : http://www.highnoonshow.co.uk
Twitter: @JuliannaRomano1
Instagram: for updates of work and visual inspirations, things I see, like and do.
http://instagram.com/julccusnuggles Cargocollective: Online portfolio
http://cargocollective.com/jkrilllustration/About-Julianna-K-Romano Tumblr : My tumblr is sort of a visual diary http://jkrfmp.tumblr.com For me, my blog is a quick and effective way of sharing things about my work and practice informally. My developments, research and inspirations and some really bad but funny work..
COMPETITIONS: Ohh Deer ‘Seam there done that’ I took part in a t-shirt design competition for Ohh Deer, in which they were looking for their next contributor. This competition encouraged online presence, activity on Twitter and Instagram, and to share my work. T-shirt competitions are a great way to reach to wider audiences, and clothing is a great way of getting designs out there.
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
MERCHANDISE AND COMMERCIAL MATERIAL
JULIANNA ROMANO STICKERS AS PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
BUSINESS CARDS
POSTCARDS
Julianna Romano Illustrator and Image-Maker +(44) 7808649131 julianna.romano@hotmail.com
As the professional field of illustration is expanding and dipping its toe in various fields such as animation, set-design, model making and fashion (to mention a few) I feel it is important to be producing work which can applied to various contexts but in my work’s case to still be anchored to conventions of illustration, hand-drawn and hand-made. To support the reflections regarding the complexity of professional practice I have been experimenting in areas of pattern making for textiles, which could also be applied promotional materials, to home furnishing and tablewear. It is also common in current illustration practice to expand with various merchandises: fabric and textiles, prints A5-A3, postcards, tablewear… As a freelancer without a stable flux of income, having a(n online) shop has three main benefits: extra money on top of commissions, can promote your work, and meeting new people through connection to community, wider market (Hayley Potter’s talk on self promotion 13.02.2014) The developments of platforms to sell and awareness have helped me clarify my personal and career aspirations as to where I would like to see my work.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE In the Major project my work has been playing with notions of seasons, and on the axes of magic and transformation. Visual research and references for the naive and idyllic environments were gathered from childhood memories in the Finnish archipelago in the summer, various documentaries, location drawings... In the northern hemisphere, especially in the arctic, the differences of seasons are much more defined. In Greenland, each season is called according to its main attribute : ‘The time of frost in the air’ (Autumn). ‘the time of darkness’ (Winter). ‘When the sun shines’ (Spring) and ‘When the sun circles’ (Summer). Tales, legends and stories are told communally during winter time as people tend t be more reclusive but storytelling brings people together.
JULIANNA ROMANO The seasonal axes coincide well with the notions of magic and transformation : Autumn and Winter as a magical, mythical time ; and Spring and Summer as the coming to light, enlightenment, end of the mythical era.. I have improved my use of color in Level 6 and decided to pull back and use a limited color palette for my final pieces.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE “The quiet transition from autumn to winter is not a bad time at all. It’s a time for protecting and securing things and for making sure you’ve got in as many supplies as you can. It’s nice to gather together everything you possess as close to you as possible, to store up your warmth and your thoughts and burrow yourself into a deep hole inside, a core of safety where you can defend what is important and precious and your very own. Then the cold and the storms and the darkness can do their worst. They can grope their way up the walls looking for a way in, but they won’t find one, everything is shut, and you sit inside, laughing in your warmth and your solitude, for you have had foresight.” ― Tove Jansson, Moominvalley in November
“There are such a lot of things that have no place in summer and autumn and spring. Everything that’s a little shy and a little rum. Some kinds of night animals and people that don’t fit in with others and that nobody really believes in. They keep out of the way all the year. And then when everything’s quiet and white and the nights are long and most people are asleep—then they appear.” ― Tove Jansson, Moominland Midwinter
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE Like a lot of Finns, I grew up with the Finn Family Moomintroll and even as a grown up Tove Jansson’s stories and drawings don’t seize to amaze. There is something ‘timelessness’ about her work, the world the stories happen in and an idyllic side to the small community. Aspects of Nordic quietness, small communities, candy colored houses are also represented in my work. My approach has become more playful and I have involved myself with my creative process which is mainly drawings things that appeal to me, that I find cute or somehow visually engaging. I ‘collect’ bits and pieces when I’m doing research by drawing and testing in my sketchbook, and then combine aspects like mark-making or motifs that I found visually succesfull.
“Gathering is peculiar, because you see nothing but what you’re looking for. If you’re picking raspberries, you see only what’s red, and if you’re looking for bones you see only the white. No matter where you go, the only thing you see is bones.” ― Tove Jansson, The Summer Book
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
An island can be dreadful for someone from outside. Everything is complete, and everyone has his obstinate, sure and self-sufficient place. Within their shores, everything functions according to rituals that are as hard as rock from repetition, and at the same time they amble through their days as whimsically and casually as if the world ended at the horizon.” ― Tove Jansson
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
CONTEMPORARY PRACTISE:
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
PERSONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN CAREER AIMS
Joel’s talk about presentation of work to an audience in contemporary practise: Conventions of presenting work to the public in a ‘white cude’ space : cold, sterile, presentation is invisible, ‘this is a work of art’, aesthetic integrity of artwork. The use of frame: framing communicates more value, authority, safe environment, traditional of fine art. The frame marks the ‘territory’ and limits of the artwork. Signifies money and value. Should give a sense of depth and continuation to the artwork.
“What I’ve learnt so far: have a good online presence, be nice to people, know your industry, don’t just do what’s expected of you – work harder and do more, learnt to accept rejection, value your work, be patient and love what you do.” Emma Block for the Guardian
In contemporary illustration the conventional way of presenting work to an audience is a “Salon Hang” style cluster, hung and painted on and around the wall. Almost like ‘tumblr’ pages with graphic design lay out.
Linda Linko at Pick me up
After my degree I am taking a gap year, doing freelance illustration and a language course whilst applying for further studies. I want to take the next year to build an online market for my work, and networking to help me move in the right direction. The London High Noon show at London tea embassy will be a great opportunity to start networking, display my work and sell limited prints and postcards. I want to keep trying and apply my work to a broader variety of areas in illustrations such as editorial, as well as other sectors of creative practise like textiles. Future Collaboration: Currently my sister Evelina Romano is doing a fashion degree at IFM Paris and freelance illustration. Our aim in the future would be to one day collaborate and joining forces, as we have similar core values and vision for a brand.
‘The Coffee Club’ at Pick me up “Poor presentation can make great art look terrible. Good presentation can make terrible art look great.” Unknown
“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” Ralph Waldo Emerson
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Bournemouth Grad Show 20th to 27th June 2014 High Noon Show at London Tea Embassy 1st to 5th July 2014
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. [...] We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.[...] It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions [...] It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” ~Ira Glass
JULIANNA ROMANO
PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE