Sophie Kilmartin COP 3 Proposal
Research Question: “What is good? - To what Extent does social responsibility impact on the role and function of illustration.”
In exploring the subject of nature vs nurture - my previous essay research diverted into the subject of aspects of society that heavily influence and control our everyday decisions, lifestyle and moralistic views. - primarily the media/publicities influence. In this research I related this back to gender, but the same questions i raise could be applied to many subjects. 
 - Certain ideals are taught to us from the moment we are born. endless expectations and messages on how we should act, what we should like, how we should look, are constantly forced upon us through the media and predetermined views. - upbringing, culture, peers, schools, media, religion - all inform and shape our understanding of ourselves. - not all negative? both good and bad. - but the issue is, 'free will' how do we know if the decisions we are making are our own, if we have constantly been bombarded with these ideals since birth? - if it is all we have ever known. 
 This is a society that is in such a time - where imagery - and - such as illustration, are directly used to inform us of these pressures, as well as going against such things as gender stereotypes for example - and informing people of said issues.
Developing further, into the practical response I enjoyed looking at how illustration can really be a useful and influential tool to communicate a message/provoke a feeling - relay an option and help people form a better understanding of social and political issues. - I understand that along with the subject of gender identity, i would like to expand my interests into other (briefly explored) social and political issues - and relate them to the unique and powerful impact that illustration can have on changing and evolving the publics views, raising awareness of issues, as well as breaking down social and cultural barriers. How is western culture determining/impacting on what kind of illustration is being created and for what purpose? - or is it the other way round? is illustration/art influencing changing 'trends' and ideals of what is good/bad/normal within our society - what is accepted?
In continuing forward I want to broaden that initial interest in the subject of gender identity - perhaps connecting to other areas of interest such as gender roles in advertising, consumer culture, beauty standards - and focus on publicity and its affect on these areas. 
 Considering how this subject is relevant to my practice? Although my primary interest is creating book illustration, I do have a strong interest in creating work that raises awareness about an issue or problem, and am drawn to how illustration and all imagery can be used as such as a strong visual aid, and influential source.
*social responsibility heavily impacts the role and function of illustration - i would like to talk about how it is needed to fight against negative issues that we as a society are battling - consumer culture, negative/pressure in advertising - beauty standards etc. Illustration is a form of medium that can effectively be used to change perspectives and raise awareness - more so than other forms?
Themes to Explore • Social Constructs - what is taught to us and what is conditioned? are we born with an ‘identity’ - sense of internal self? or are we forced to behave a certain way? what is illustrations role within this?
• Gender identity • Gender Roles • Beauty standards - and the media influences • Right and Wrong - How effectively can illustration be used to show whats right and wrong? (to the younger generation) through TV? Media? Comics?
• Corporate Control. - To what extent is the media controlling our behaviour? our identity? and what is illustrations role in this?
• Western culture Influences - compare to other cultures how we differ • Globalisation - and its effect on standards of beauty/gender roles • Arts influence over publicity images. • Feminism
Quotations • ‘By spreading a variety of of non-traditional images and ideas about how people can appear and act, the mass media can server a valuable role in shattering the unhelpful moulds of ‘male’ and ‘female’ roles’ (Butler, J. 1990:274) • “Queer theory is a radical remix of social construction theory, and a call to action: since identities are not fixed - neither to the body nor to the ‘self’ - we can perform ‘gender’ in whatever way we like. Although certain masculine and feminine formations may have been learned, those patterns can be broken.” (Butler, J. 1990:83) • “Studies have found that gendered toys do shape children’s play preferences and styles. Because gendered toys limit the range of skills and attributes that both boys and girls can explore through play, they may prevent children from developing their full range of interests, preferences, and talents.” (Dr Elizabeth Sweet) • “Consumer goods have come to play a stronger psychological role for us: we value and buy them as means of regulating emotions and gaining social status, and as ways of acquiring or expressing identity and aspiring to an “ideal self”….there is also a dark side to consumer culture:it can be toxic for the identity and well-being of adults, adolescents, and children.” (Understanding the impact of consumer culture, Helga Dittmar) • ‘usually it is we who pass the image - walking, travelling, turning a page; on the tv screen it is somewhat different but even then we are theoretically the active agent - we can look away… yet despite this one has the impression that publicity images are continually passing us.. we are static; they are dynamic until the newspaper is thrown away, the tv programme continues, the poster is posted over.”(John Berger)
Books - John Berger - Ways of seeing (1972) -
Helga Dittmar (2009). How Do “Body Perfect” Ideals in the Media Have a Negative Impact on Body Image and Behaviours? Factors and Processes Related to Self and Identity. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Vol. 28.
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Consumer culture, Identity and well being: The search for the ‘Good Life’ (Helgar Dittmar)
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Gender and The Media (Rosalind Gill)
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Perspectives of Gender, Gina L Anselmi (1998)
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Sex Differences in Social Behaviour: A Social-role Interpretation, Alice Eagly (2013)
- Shields, S. A. & Bhatia, S. (2009). Darwin and race, gender, and culture. American Psychologist, 64, 111-119.
Websites guardian.com bbc.news.com itsnicethat.com http://www.simplypsychology.org/gender-biology.html https://www.creativereview.co.uk
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