End of module evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation BA (Hons) Illustration Module Code: OUIL503 Responsive Name: Polly Vadasz Student ID: 259578 Please identify where the evidence for each of the learning outcomes is within your submission and how well you feel you have met the learning outcomes. Please also grade yourself in relation to the learning outcomes using terms: poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent (Note - This is so that the team have an understanding of how well you feel you have done. It is not an indication of the actual grade you may receive.)

Learning Outcome

Evidenced where?

Blog, Visual Journal, Roughs, Final Illustrations, Storyboards, Development Sheets etc. (No more than 75 words)

5A4: Make appropriate use of a range of research methods to investigate a topic and produce work relating to the critical, cultural or social context of art and design. (Knowledge & Understanding Research and Critical Awareness)

This is most evident in SB1, during the Very Good Blogtacular, UK Greetings and Adrian Mole projects. I provided a competent understanding of what design style would be appropriate for the tote bag, in UK Greetings I critiqued the design from a cultural perspective and adapted the colour scheme to be more inclusive, and with Adrian Mole I read the book and studied multiple online analyses in additional to my own interpretations to develop a cover that was true to the origins of the book and Adrian’s impoverished character. [Blog]

5B3: Generate ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions and/or arguments using the language, materials, processes and techniques of a designated discipline. (Cognitive Skills - Problem Analysis, Problem Solving)

This is evidenced in SB1 & SB2. During the UK Greetings project I developed multiple ideas for the greetings cards, which evolved into the final collection. I differentiated between designs that did not pair into the defined collection theme. I also DIY glittered the mockup cards to give an idea of further development if they went into production. During SB2 we developed a postal theme, continually refining the designs so that the aesthetic wasn’t deviated from. [Blog/boards]

Good

5C3: Respond to set briefs or proposals in a professional context.

(Practical Skills - Visual Quality and Conceptual Development)

I am confident that all responses to SB1 are of a professional standard and would be marketable in industry. I analysed the style appropriate for the Blogtacular tote, using my own industry knowledge and pushing the brief further with additional suggestions for the campaign. For UK Greetings I noted that most cards now have decorative finishes, so provided examples of how glitter and embossing would benefit my designs.

During SB2 I made multiple decisions to bring the aesthetic back in line with the company branding.

[Blog/boards]

Very Good

Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent

5D3: Exercise selfmanagement skills in managing their workloads and meeting deadlines/ apply interpersonal and social skills to interact with others. (Key Transferable Skills, Organisation, Communication and Evaluation)

Responsive had a slow start as I lingered over the Good Adrian Mole cover, but once that was over I completed both UK Greetings and Blogtacular quickly & efficiently, the tote being researched and designed within 2 days. During SB2 we worked well together, dividing up responsibilities evenly.

We set dates to complete work by so that the other could continue with their job (I finished thumbnail designs & stickers so Hattie could include them in her website design). Working with someone I didn’t know relied on respect for her abilities, and trust that I could focus on my own tasks while she completed hers. We met the submission date comfortably. [Blog/boards]

Summative Evaluation _____________________________________________________________________________________ Responsive has been an enlightening, encouraging and enjoyable module that has given me an opportunity to discover the field of design I feel most comfortable working in.

At the beginning of the module, still adjusting to moving over from a Graphic Design degree, I mainly looked at large projects like Hasbro on D&AD. However, after taking time to really absorb the projects available, realised there were many more where I could focus on building up my portfolio as an Illustrator. I have a questionable instinct to take on projects that will overwork me and test my comfort zone, which seems productive, until I neglect dedicating time to the projects I naturally enjoy. Moving to Illustration was a decision to figure out and focus on the work that I want to create.

Through a total of 5 completed competition briefs, I developed a collection of skills I had sought after for years. I had been stuck, not knowing how to make my work look more professional, and doing so has been a key motive in the course. The nature of the briefs being live pushed me to develop my work to industry standard. I consider myself a commercial designer and aspire to create marketable work. I looked at trends in book covers and greetings cards, seeing that textured backgrounds and digital brush illustration was prominent. I researched into the digital brush packs my favourite artists (such as Tarryn Knight and Steph Baxter) used, and found Kyle Brush kits, which I learned how to use during the Adrian Mole, UK Greetings and Collaborative projects. I took to online tutorials to discover how to add texture on photoshop, and found out how to use layer masks and overlay textures, which can be seen in the cover development for Adrian Mole. I’m specifically pleased about the quality of that cover, and how these new skills lead me to create something totally different from my usual vector work. Here, researching and responding to work on the market directly improved my practice.

UK Greetings, my substantial brief, was a clear choice as it’s directly relevant to my current experience as a stationery designer, yet I had never worked on greetings cards so it provided room for learning. I found this brief in particular very enjoyable, and once started, produced a range of card designs at the fastest pace out of all my projects. I also found this with the Blogtacular brief, which shows that when I’m taking on commercial, product based work, I can produce ideas quickly and confidently. Confidence is detrimental to so many of my projects, so going back to where I mentioned often taking on stressful, demanding projects where I end up having to make design decisions I’m not interested in making, taking on roles I’m not confident in having, impacts my confidence and work for the entire project. Responsive has taught me that there is nothing wrong with sticking to an illustrator’s role and relying on another person to do the rest.

The collaborative project was thankfully a success, with me and my partner working efficiently together and communicating well by sharing progressions regularly via Google Drive. Due to my background, I knew what Hattie, the Graphic Designer, needed in an illustrator. Although, I couldn’t let myself completely drop

the Graphics role, taking on the layout design for the chocolate box’s sleeves and making branding decisions along the way, such as bringing the colour palette back to the branding’s pink and brown, and use of their signature typeface. This, however, shows that I can be an illustrator who knows how to apply their work, and hopefully indicates that I’ll work well with Graphic Designers in the future.

Even though I consider the Collaborative project a success, in hindsight I would have liked to work with more than one person. The project ended up taking a huge amount of time off my other modules as there was so much illustration work to do in order for Hattie to move forward. I also would have liked to work with an animator and learn more about After Effects from them, so I will approach next year’s projects with this in mind.

This module has undoubtedly progressed my practice in both skillset and knowing where I stand within the creative industry. I have learned to be the illustrator, and understand why we should take on projects that we would want to be employed to do. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with digital brushes and repeat pattern,so will continue to develop these skills through future modules and my own personal projects.

Repeat pattern will help me quickly design product ranges for my online shop, and digital brush work will add variety to my current stock. I believe I’m producing work to a more professional standard because of the module, and have enjoyed choosing briefs for myself, and learning what that indicates about the kind of designer I want to be. _____________________________________________________________________________________