OUIL404 Visual Language Module Evaluation

Throughout the Visual Language module I have developed different methods of creating work both analogue and digitally. For example, the transportation task, is when I discovered how much I like working digitally and using programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop. This discovery has influenced my work in other modules and I feel as though the over all quality of my work has improved. 

I found all the work we did on composition, line of sight and even different types of line extremely beneficial. I now employ texture into a lot of my work, consider how different lines can affect an illustrations tone of voice and how changing the composition of an image can make it more engaging. 

I think the strength in the body of work I have produced for Visual Language is that I can clearly see my own development and the way I approached the set tasks gradually changing. For example, towards the end of the module I started to enjoy the work much more because I was giving myself a subject I was interested in and learning about the process I personally use to develop images.
I can also see that the work I have been producing in this module is having an affect on the work I produce for other modules. At the beginning of the module I didn't give much thought to line, colour value, composition, line of sight etc in any other work outside of Visual Language. Now however, I have got into the habit of thumb nailing/drafting images out until I think I have a better result.   I definitely understand myself more as an illustrator and which processes work best for me. 

I think a key area for development for me is my technical drawing skill, which is just down to practice. I want to focus on drawing human anatomy more precisely, especially hands in different positions. This can be addressed by doing my exhaustive drawings in my sketchbooks. I also want to be able to draw as easily digitally as I do with a pencil - again, this is down to practice and will be something I develop in the long term. I need to be more exhaustive all together with my drawings and I have definitely improved on this since the beginning of the year. I do however, think this will be a constant goal of mine - to draw as much as I can and to understand how I translate information into an image.

From looking at other illustrators work and learning about elements such as composition, I've definitely become more critical of others work rather than looking at it in awe of their technical ability. I think the most important thing I have learnt is that good illustration doesn't happen by accident, it takes informed opinion, consideration and graft. 

OUIL405 Visual Narratives Module Evaluation

Throughout this module, I have drastically developed my research and digital skills. For example, during the research stage, I sketched from observation and collected information about a specific topic just by visiting different locations and studying people. My digital skills have improved with my new knowledge of InDesign - a program that I hadn't heard of before and I now feel confident using. I also pushed myself with creating illustrations in Photoshop - creating a different aesthetic which I have never tried before and using different tools such as the Cintiqs.
The research stage really informed my work because I collected people's opinions as well as collecting observations. As the concept of my book (mobile phone addiction) was greatly influenced by opinion, it was important to talk to my peers, gather facts and opinions in order to decide on the content of the illustrations.

Across this module I think my biggest strength was the research and informing/creating a concept for a book. It had been a long time since I did any in-depth research to inform a project and I feel it's really important to creating anything with any sort of meaning. I used different methods of research than I would usually use, for example, rather than using the internet as my sole source of information, I used simple things such as observational drawing and questionnaires to inform myself of my subject.

Although it may not be a strength - more of a personal achievement - I feel as though I created work of a higher standard than I have previously submitted. This is something I was really conscious of from the offset of this project and so throughout I tried to be really disciplined with my image making and presentation. As book binding was a new skill for me, I chose the binding I was most confident with and decided not to make a hard-back cover because I knew I still needed more practise.

My biggest weakness from this module would be the lack of visual developmental work I produced. I could have experimented with different media and image making processes. Through more experimentation I could have taken my illustrations in a different direction and possibly developed the whole concept the my book further. This is an area I have previously lacked in, so I will make a conscious effort to explore it in future projects.

If I were to do this project again and for any future projects, I would make the research a priority to begin with,  so I can develop a solid concept to expand on. I found it really useful to look at other illustrators work before I started making my own illustrations. It made me thing about the tone of voice I wanted to portray, the colour palettes I might use and a general consideration of frame/format.
Although I am pleased with the work I produced using Photoshop, I don't think the tone of voice I created really suited me as an illustrator. I tried to portray humor and I don't feel as if it worked. I don't know what my tone of voice is as an illustrator yet but I will continue to explore and try something new in each project.
My main concern about my work is the quality. However, if I compare the work from this module to work from the beginning of the year, I can already see how much I have improved, so this will always be an ongoing target.

I have learnt many new skills in this module and I am gradually learning about myself as an illustrator. I am starting to get to grips with what my strengths are and where I need to focus my attention is future projects. My goal for any future work is to explore different ways of image making and to not rely on just one method throughout a whole project. I want to create some kind of synthesis between my personal work/interests and the work I produce for briefs. I want to feel proud of all the work I produce and push myself to create better illustrations whilst still being flexible with my tone of voice. 

OUIL406 Visual Commincation Module Evaluation

Throughout this module I think I have really improved my ability to communicate through image. This is something I will probably be working to improve constantly as an illustrator, but by using lens in Studio Brief 1 and then really informing myself on subjects in Studio Briefs 2 and 3 I feel like I understand how I can illustrate something more effectively.
I thought working in small groups during Studio Brief 1 was interesting because I could see how others went about finding solutions to problems/briefs. As Studio Brief 1 encouraged us to take a different approach to illustration, using lens, it left me feeling a but stranded to begin with so it helped to have a group to plan work with.
During Studio Brief 2 I found out that I really like using Illustrator to create images and it opens up so many opportunities for scale. I predominantly used shape to create my images in Illustrator to begin with, but since then my confidence with the pen tool/brush tool with a drawing tablet has increased and it has quickly become my staple program for digital line-work.
In Studio Brief 3, I focused on creating repeat patterns and discovered that it is something I really enjoy.  It has opened up a lot of new areas for me, such as using illustration in surface pattern design, product & packaging design and as a way to communicate particular themes.
I think my weakness in this module has been the amount of testing I have done in my sketchbooks. As I have predominantly been working digitally throughout this module, I feel as though I have neglected just being creative with ideas on paper and just used it for basic designing and thumb-nailing. This may or may not be a bad thing but for the next brief I work on, my goal is to create more work on paper and try to be creative with it.
The most important thing I am realising from completing different modules is that there is definitely a synthesis between them all that wasn't there at the beginning of the year. As I learn new skills, such as how to use Illustrator or how to communicate something through image, I am incorporating these skills into my practice as a whole.

Study Task 6 - What is Illustration For?

• What is illustration?

1. "    1.

   a picture illustrating a book, newspaper, etc.

   "an illustration of a yacht"

   
   
2.       2.

   the action or fact of illustrating something.

   "by way of illustration, I refer to the following case"     "

   
   

To an extent, I agree with those definitions. However my understanding of illustration is much more broad than that. I see illustration as a way of visually communicating a concept or instruction using whatever tools necessarily. This could mean pen and paper, lens, collage etc.

• What is illustration for? What is it's function?

Illustration is a tool to communicate a message or concept. The illustration itself can dictate how that message is perceived using a tone of voice created by line, shape, colour and media. For example,  a funny comic might use simple thick lines, block shapes and limited colour to create a particular, humorous tone of voice. Whereas an action comic might have lots of detailed, directional lines to create the atmosphere of the story.

• Where do you find illustration? In what context does it exist?

1. Books, magazines
2. Advertising
3. Packaging
4. Product design
5. Character design
6. Patterns, wrapping papers, wallpapers

Some examples I found of illustration just around my home:

I noted that aside from books, packaging was the most common place I saw illustration around the house. It's purpose it definitely to make the product look more appealing to consumers.

• Who are the specific audiences for illustration?

1. The audience is dictated by what the product, book or magazine is aimed at. This could be either children, business men, teens or specific sub cultures.