End of Module Student Evaluation BA(hons) Illustration Module Code: PPP3 OUIL602 Name: Thomas O’Connor Student ID: to256771 Learning Outcome
Evidenced where?
6A3 Demonstrate specific knowledge and specialist understanding of the professional and contextual location of their practice. Knowledge and Understanding - RESEARCH
•
6B2 Undertake research to identify and evaluate their personal and professional skills and the career or progression opportunities available to them. (Cognitive Skills EVALUATION & REFLECTION
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6C2 Develop and implement a personal promotion strategy to communicate to relevant organisations. Practical & Professional Skills - VISUAL QUALITY)
•
•
• 6D2 Use a range of appropriate communication methods to present themselves as a professional practitioner to a relevant audience. Key Transferable Skills
• • • •
Engagement with professionals and potential clients through events. Self-directed visits to directors and other stand-up comedians, with the aim to use illustration as my niche. Studied areas beyond contemporary illustration in order gain a richer understanding of my surroundings - that I comment on through comedic drawing.
Your grade
Very Good
Very Good Identifying what I’m good at (being funny ‘hopefully’ and designing ‘hopefully’) reflecting how and where I can implement these ideas in terms of illustration. Identified conventional approach to getting work from Agencies. E.g CIA - Ben Cox and specialise in Advertising. A collaborative drive to form VISUWALLISE using the experience and skills of others to form a business. “Portfolio-pruning” to the direction of genre of work I’m applying for. (Comedy or illustration?) Illustration is about knowing the client and audience. Stand-up allows me to push those boundaries. VISUWALLISE is stable concept extending our own practices. Consistent traditional media designs (E.g logo translated as a Stamp, Stickers and Business Cards) Targeted designs posted to people I either want to get or maintain a professional relationship with. I can draw people, they immediately appreciate that - more than a wordy email begging for something. Hand rendered presentation slides - are works of art within themselves?
Very Good
LinkedIn (approching Creative Directors) Personalised approach to people I need to progress my ideas. (E.g Paul Smith Pants?) Presentation that feeds into comedy. Plan to be implemented everything in place and confidence in my product and process.
Very Good
Evaluation I came from a strong foundation last and noted the importance of the module when it was first introduced at Level 4. Engaging with people with experience is key, determining how to make money from the work I produce. I’ve developed a persona/brand ‘Not The Ship Comic’ in order to market myself to a vast array of potential clients, on many different platforms. I haven’t waited but instead marinated, there has been time taken to reflect on the outpour of ideas and I’m now in a position to drive on, with everything in place including a website forming the basis portfolio and then business cards, stickers and Instagram pointing people that matter in my direction. Taking notes on everything relevant to my practice and subsequent blogging has documented my thought process and given me a clearer idea of the work I want to make and where it can be implemented. Kept my interest broad attending illustration venues in Europe and America as I have faith that my practice could one day be global. It doesn’t stop here in fact in many cases it’s just beginning. In terms of Comedy I’ve been accepted Second City comedy course in the summer to identify any performance skills or improve that director John Gordillo hasn’t picked up on. There also two industry professionals that I’ll be discussing my practice with in the very near future: Chris Head and Logan Murray. Visuwallise implementation is exciting, and all came about form Level 5’s PPP. It’s a feasible idea applying to Duke Studios with George Addy and Ian Fulcher and taking the idea to business summer school. This would be the ideal scenario - if we could keep in touch as creative through this business. Some of the finer details like job roles and working hours need attention but the fact the lads didn’t hesitate at the proposal speaks volumes for their trust in me and the idea. On a personal note, the feedback on my illustration has never been better and in more demand than I have been. Two potentials that could have real mileage following a trip to London would be developing Levi Roots restraunt and a t-shirt collection with Wavey Garms. There is also a chance I get a salaried position at Paul Smith designing t-shirts, even if that’s not on the cards I’m still going to push for some experience to see how the process develops from roughs to ready. Approaching people can be a little fanboy-esque, taken a more measured approach avoiding contacting illustrators but putting focus on networking with comedians and the commissioners in person. Reluctant to screenshot every approach made, personally I find it uncomfortable sharing this type of information on a blog and think it makes you look a little unprofessional and undervaluing where I want to go. However, I feel LinkedIn has been a valuable introduction for proper networking and introducing people to my concepts. I’m relatively pleased with slide visuals and can probably transfer some in my comedic performance. There is oodles of space for more portfolio work and completed commissions, but it’s about reflection and where that piece of work is best suited. If it could be deemed offensive it may sit better in the confinement of four walls on a Saturday night.