OUIL 505
Applied Illustration
Project Report Sophie Kilmartin
Research and Inspiration The freedom within this very much self directed module, allowed me to really reflect on what illustration means to me, and into what areas would i like to see my project develop. I did find the independence quite difficult however. I initially struggled to hone down on a focus for the project, and my research was expanding into all kinds of interests. I felt that it was quite a slow start to the module because i simply couldn't decide where to take the project. I decided that my main area of interest is narrative illustration, and so was excited about exploring this, but it was my subject that i struggled to choose. Initially i was being drawn to old children story books who beautiful and captivating illustrations used to inspire me as a child, this triggered me to look at myths and legends and the project soon evolved into me looking at greek mythology. This is a subject that caught my interest during 504 through Donna Tarrts ‘the secret History Novel’ and once i started researching on the subject i was captivated. The research aspect of this project has been a strong attribute of mine. I found that i got so emerged into the research and developed a really strong connection and interest in the subject. Although daunting at first, and proved to be a struggle at times, I have found that one of the most positive aspects about this project is the freedom. it is really beneficial having more choice over the subject your responding to. I find that when i really engage with something i am much more motivated and productive. I create my best work.
Project Proposal Summery Over the course of the brief i have wrestled with focusing on specifics.Once I had chosen to focus my project solely around the Odyssey, the project really developed quite quickly. My proposal initially was going to be evolved around narrative and creating a book and series of prints, but throughout the course of the project, product also became a key interest. I simply aimed to create a series of 3 prints, with each one depicting an important and catastrophic event from the historical greek tale of The Odyssey. The prints will additionally be adapted to becoming a zine/book cover and poster design. Aimed at a wide audience from young children to adults, I will also propose a range of merchandise and products, - a collection of which will have something to appeal to all ages.
Concept and Development. My visual journal became a really useful tool throughout this project, not only to visually develop my ideas and concepts, but it was useful to use it as a form of research. I continued to be informed by my research through this sketchbook development process. I felt it important to refer back to texts or details about the characters and monsters when creating my own interpretations. Responding to a narrative feels really natural to me, and i really enjoy it. Earlier in the year i have been exploring more conceptual responses to text and visual metaphors, but I quite enjoyed changing back to producing more literal - yet still surreal, interpretations. Exploring character isn't something i have really done since last year, and within my visual journal, i really enjoyed pushing different compositions and interpretations of the monsters. Exhaustive roughs are so important in developing a strong and substantial character that can be carried through to a final design, and this was arguably themes important part of the process for me. - coming up with a strong composition, - most importantly, a character that captures the essence of each creature portrayed in the book. In essence i am illustration something that has been re created many times, and i want it to stand out, and be something new and exciting. Although i was really pleased with my final compositions, i do wish that at this stage I had allocated more time in the development of my final images. I would have liked to create a larger series of monsters of the odyssey, as i feel i had so much more inspiration and ideas left to give. Time management and organisation is something that needs to be seriously addressed moving forward into level 6. I need to be able to control and structure my own briefs and i need to get used to making more independently informed decisions. As well as sticking to a strict time plan.
Production & finals. When the time came to creating my final images, i made a lot better use of my time, and I prioritised 505 over other modules. I found it really beneficial to completely focus on finishing these pieces in one go and, and immersing myself into the process instead of dragging it out. Sometimes leaving gaps between editing makes me forget the most efficient way to approach something, so this was a quicker process for me. Initially, I really wanted to revisit my interest in lino cut and mono print, however as the project developed i soon realised that there would be no time to approach the brief with this practical approach. I was disappointed initially, however my digital compromises have turned out to be pretty successful. These pieces are in fact my favourite from the work i have produced this year. Wanting to stick with a visual aesthetic of texture combined with block line, i used scanned in versions of mrnoprinted texture combined with scanned in ink drawing depicting the block line detail. I have approached image making in this way before when using lino cut has also not been appropriate. One of my examples is a clockwork orange book cover, however, i feel that these pieces really push the process further than I have before, as i am becoming more competent with photoshop. One of the main improvements is the use of a wacom tablet. This allowed me to add finer details including shadow and highlights, which, when in the right place, really bring an image to life; to provide texture and depth. I am really pleased with the final imagery and feel as though i am starting to reach a visual aesthetic within my work that i really like. its also really inspiring to see my images mocked up in a professional setting. Throughout this module I have developed a much better understanding of applied illustration and what it means to distribute your work into the world. There is so much to consider. Its challenging to not be influenced too much by other artists when looking to so many for inspiration, but i feel like I'm at a place with my work at this point in the year, where i am in the process of developing my own unique style and am more confident in my abilities. I already had ideas of how i wish to visually develop the project. I am heavily influenced by my 504 project, which included lino and mono prints. I still found inspiration for my drawings though, as its important to be informed by contemporary illustration, not only through my research into greek mythology, but from many inspiring book illustrators such as Toni Ditzerlizzi who creates some amazing creatures for the spider wick chronicles. One of my main inspirations both contextually and visually is ‘The odyssey: A Giant Golden book’ by husband and wife due the Provensens.
Applying to Context. I feel that my practice has definitely progressed for the better over the course of this module, and I have learnt a lot through the process. The brief has confirmed for me that my passion lies within narrative illustration, however, I don't want to be limited to this. The freedom within the brief has interestingly introduced me to new inspirations and ideas for how i could develop my practice moving forward. I developed a real interest in products and merchandise grew over the course of the module, and had a lot of fun applying my illustrations into different contexts. Narrative of the greek legends was a driving force behind my project, but i also am increasingly interested in how far i could push narrative - that it could be adapted to different merchandise or even jewellery design in the case of my greek mythology theme. Its really interesting to see how one can expand an audience and reach a wider range of distribution for their products by incorporating designs into different uses. I wouldn't want to continue creating products for the sake of it however, there needs to be a relationship and demand between the narrative and product I feel. I really wish i had expanded upon this interest further. Although backed up with lots of research I didn't really get to show how i could develop my illustrations into 3D interpretations. It would have been really beneficial if i had actually produced a clay model of a design, or a more detailed plan. However, i don't think all the research has been for nothing! i would very much like to continue to lead my practice down this path, and explore the possibility of adapting my work for 3D one the summer. - Wether that be by hand, or gaining some work experience. Moving forward into level 6, i feel that my final pieces for the project really sum up the direction i am heading in with my work. Visually, i think they are the most progressive and successful pieces i have produced all year. I feel proud of them which is unusual for me! I know that i want to continue to explore texture and lino, but i think its important to find a balance, between hand made processes and digital. Although i love the visual aesthetic of these pieces i want to develop a more consistent approach to the production of final artwork - wether that be digital or hand made.
Summative Evaluation Applied illustration has been one of my favourite yet challenging modules of the year. Throughout which, I have learnt a lot about myself and where i would like to develop my practice. The freedom of the module allowed me to really reflect on my own personal interests and having the opportunity to develop these areas of focus and consider how my illustrations will be applied, was both exciting and daunting.
 Although the freedom was great , i think to begin with i felt a pressure and need to come up with a perfect idea, and it took me a long time to settle on one subject and area of focus. I think delayed the progression of my project. Comparing this to other modules where we are given a brief, i feel it took me longer to get stuck into the workload. In reflecting on this now, i realise that this is something to really consider moving into next year; i need to get used to making more independently informed decisions, and creating my own brief in a restricted time limit. All our modules in level 6 will be more self directed and i need to have the confidence and urgency to focus down on an idea, without jumping from one to another for too long. With this module being a long duration, i was really excited to start as i feel that i work best over longer periods of time. Like in 504, It gave me the opportunity to get really involved in the research side of things - perhaps even more so. I have developed such an interest in greek mythology the subject has really cemented my curiosity in exploring narrative illustration, as well as products. I feel that my passion for the subject has been reflected in my final pieces, with these being probably my favourite and most successful illustrations that i have produced all year, in terms of both media and composition. My project proposal definitely should have been completed at an earlier stage, so as to not get too lost in research. Although this has been a positive aspect of the module, i also feel that my visual journal suffered because of time spent on this, and i did not create as many exhaustive compositions as i should have. Although i am pleased with my final compositions, it is always beneficial to spend time developing and refining compositions to a good standard, and for this project i felt rushed.
At the start of the project I aimed to create a series of lino cuts which unfortunately, i didn't have time to create. I was disappointed, however, the short time that i had to actually produce my finals forced me to refine and develop my digital skills. I had to be resourceful and efficient with my time in order to get the work done. Throughout the year i have focused a lot on texture, particularly mono print, and have developed a visual style that has a similar feel to my lino prints from 504, but through digital means. However, i don't feel i really pushed this process to its full potential until this project. in the past, I have found photoshop to be tedious and sometimes frustrating, but in creating these finals have become much more confident in the process and feel i can continue to images like this. I have been able to bring knew qualities to my images that i haven't done before; I love the detail and variety of textures and depth that i brought to my images compared to previous work. While i still felt it was in keeping with my ‘lino cut’ aesthetic. Although i would love to continue with my interest in traditional print making methods, I am happy to continue digitally, as i thoroughly enjoyed this process! I think using the combination of hand drawn line, wacom tablet and hand made textures creates a good balance for me - its not a too overpoweringly digital process! The research i carried out has heavily informed my practice - the outcome of the module, both visually and contextually, as well as forming new interests along the way. I developed a real interest in products, and had a lot of fun applying my illustrations into different contexts. Narrative of the greek legends was a driving force behind my project, but i also are increasingly interested in how far i could push narrative - that it could be adapted to different merchandise or even jewellery. I am really quite annoyed that i didn't get to explore this further. I think that this interest perhaps peaked too late on the module, and I found that i had lots of research but not enough translating of my own designs. Practically, i only got to create some simple roughs depicting how some of my characters could be adapted for 3D. It would have been really beneficial if i had actually produced one, or at least created a more detailed plan.
Towards the second half of the year other modules such as responsive and Cop really seemed to take priority, and i felt there were many times when this module suffered because of this. The long duration could be deceiving, I think that because it was much more self directed, and everyone was doing completely different things, i was less aware of what stage i should be at with my work. I should have kept a more structured and organised plan of my time for this module; its something i really regret not doing more of. For me moving forward, its all about balancing my time. I am not a lazy person, i work hard. But i find that i do not prioritise correctly and my mind wonders and can loose focus easily. I really need to stick to plans that i make! i find i work the most efficiently when i have planned out my working day - almost hour by hour creating mini deadlines for myself! Moving forward into level 6, i feel that my final pieces for the project really sum up the direction i am heading in with my work. Visually, i think they are the most progressive and successful pieces i have produced all year. I feel proud of them which is unusual for me! I know that i want to continue to explore texture and lino, but i think its important to find a balance, between hand made processes and digital. Although i love the visual aesthetic of these pieces i want to develop a more consistent approach to the production of final artwork - wether that be digital or hand made. I know that i would like to build upon my interest in product and 3D. Apart from mock ups, this isn't heavily reflected in my practical responses, but i think my interest is very present through research. I aim to continue to explore this over summer, through work experience and the Alchemy jewellery, and self initiated study. Once again, on going reflection and lack of organisation let me down at the end of this module, and i didn’t reach my full potential. I have found its been like a domino effect for me this year, with one module overlapping into the next, and i am so determined next year to keep on top of things from an early stage, and to stick to a stricter timetable.