Where am I Now? A Visual Evaluation
Defining Illustration • The most important thing that the course has made me aware of is that Illustration is much more just image making. • Understanding that communication is key and that everything has a context has definitely helped me develop my work and is a principle that I will consider and apply from now on. • Looking at work from a variety of artists, even those whose work I do not necessarily like, has also made me more aware of the breadth of techniques that make up what is illustration.
Big Heads •Big Heads has been very inspirational and reassuring. Seeing the diversity of ways of working and hearing how the artists reached the point they're at has been great. •Hearing Charlotte Mei and Grace Helmer talk about their self run shows has inspired me to try and start more extra curricular projects and to collaborate with others. I need to get on with this though! •Generally, this has made me more aware of the different ways I can develop my practice.
Practical Skills • I have tried to experiment with different media and processes as much as possible. • This hasn’t always worked out (the typology poster was not good) but I'm glad that I tried to get out of my comfort zone. • I’ve always been quite averse to working with crafting but after the book project, I now feel more comfortable with collage and paper crafting. Im not necessarily better at it but I feel like ive made the roughness work.
Developing Digital Skills • After experimenting and making mistakes, I have learnt to work on Photoshop in a way that feel fulfilling. • I feel that I’ve got to a point where I can use Photoshop and analogue processes together and not rely too much on either one independently. • Learning how to use InDesign was useful for planning the picture book and will definitely be helpful in the future.
Motivation • My level of motivation has been somewhat inconsistent. • There have been times when I’ve lost faith in my work and then struggled to care about it. • However, getting different briefs and making work I am genuinely pleased with has made me aware of the fact that I wont always like what I'm doing. • I am also now more aware of the level of work I will have to put in if I am to be successful in my field, and that I will have to be dedicated and hard working to get by.
Research • Research and Observations are the key to making engaging work. • The trip to saltaire was great for getting immersed with the subject I was working on, taking photos and talking to people was helpful too. • I need to do more observational drawing as this is great for capturing the essence of a subject, the sessions in the first week helped me to develop my drawing and observation loads.
Visual Language • The visual language module has helped me to develop and diversify the way I approach image making. • Experimenting with shape, texture and pattern definitely helped me to move away from just fine liners, using cut paper made me more confident with using collage for my picture book.
Personal Management • Procrastinating has been a problem since the start of the course but is something that im gradually managing to get better at • Blogging consistently is something that I need to continue to do, doing it at the last minute is too risky and it doesn’t give me the benefit of reflecting while I can still completely remember what I'm reflecting on. • I have noticed that I manage my time well at the start and end of projects, if I can get through the lull I often have in the middle then I won’t have to rush so much with finalising things.