This for me was a hard module, with a lot going on in it, making it hard to keep track of the briefs I was doing, but I feel that I have worked harder than ever and have managed to be relatively organised more so towards the end I am producing stronger work, but because I have had to be time efficient with my illustration, I have set in place a way to keep constantly improving my work after the course ends. I can honestly say I am proud of myself for remaining strong willed for the last few weeks to ensure I got this module done properly. The application of most briefs is something I'm not totally happy about this module, but the products I have tried to make sure were all consistantly strong, suppose I dd this to make sure I would have strong illustration for my portfolio.
The first three statement of intent drafts were unfocused, and didnt really challenge the way I percieved myself or make me question my motives. Producing a simple and strong rationale was the result of some long hard thought and has contributed to my development over this module.
CONCEPT DRIVEN ILLUSTRATOR FOR PRINT.
I wanted to operate primarily as an illustrator throughout this module, because I felt with that being what I want to persue, I needed to start understanding how and what I can apply my illustration to. This is where i recognised that my illustration works well in publication formats and hand printed materials, but I also wanted to basically see if i could work effectively towards producing other deliverables, eg clothing and music related formats like album art. (something more commercially viable) I know it sounds cliche but its something I have never really fully exploited and felt the need. This was a decision I made based on the previous module where I started producing digital illustration, which I realised had a lot of potential for me to apply images to contexts I hadnt maybe had the opportunity to do before because of my lack of knowledge on the subject. I did almost jeoprodise this realisation by volunteering to work on a yearbook. I am not pleased about my lack of direction in making this decision when it is looked at from the perspective i mentioned previously. Although I know that at the time of making this decision, I was still wavering on wether or not I should grab the illustration bull by the horns, because I still felt it a really risky thing to do with my track record of not being totally aware of the application or concept development of my illustration. Despite this lack of judgement, I am happy that I persued illustration in a much more dedicated way.
I have seen a big change in the way I am working recently, I think part of that is because I have a bit of a better awareness of what others will think of my work in my head, and I can use this as almost a quality control over my work. It is in no way perfect yet, but I know that this will come with time, and it feels like it is solidly with me. This sort of quality control is what I have been applying when working for the client on brief 3 I produced on this module. This awareness has definately come late, but i would not have the approach I can now build on if it wasnt for all the crits, feedback with tutors and collaboration / live brief opportunities of this last three years. Something I am still not good at is documenting my work on the blog. It is something I have consistantly found a struggle, and I think that is because I have been impatient in telling the story of my work, and spent too much time doing it. Its a shame because when I do apply myself to the blog and really focus, I produce extensive, thorough posts about whatever I am doing at the time.
The most extensively documented brief is the guardian brief I did, which is strange because with this brief it was the application of product that I was really proud of, but in other briefs it has been the product I have been proud of. I've learnt that the application of illustration is half of the process, and ill considered application, leads to a weak end result. (Operation nothing module submission, this was weak because I focused too much on the client brief and neglected properly developing a strong concept for a range and its application). I have learnt now, finally, that concept development is something I should really use to push my illustration, because at the moment I feel the concepts for my work are normally weaker than the aesthetic. An equally strong concept behind my aesthetic would start to benefit my work alot. I feel like some blinkers have only recently (in the last month) left my eyes. That is where I feel I am at the moment.
I think that gathering the research for my design context is what initiated a more aware sense of what I am doing as an illustrator, what I hope to achieve and what I want my work to be. I noticed that alot of illustrators I was looking at werent much older than me, maybe a year out of education and were getting features in magazines I read. I decided I needed to up my standard of work and to try get features too. I managed to get two features in computer arts and ammo, which i am stoked about! and is showing me how working hard and being dedicated to my work bears reward. PPD has also been something that I have really enjoyed doing throughout this module, its definately been a good healthy experience. I had to re- evaluate how I did what I wanted to do as an illustrator, and then how I wanted to appear to people in relation to my work - for example my online portfolio and branding. I just wanted to come across as friendly and inject a bit of imagination into the presentation of these things. Its not perfect and never will be, but all I can really do is keep adjusting it based on the new things I am learning about myself and my place in industry.
All I have for this course is appreciation and gratitude. I think at times I havent been as dedicated as I should have been and havent often been able to see things that were right in front of my eye balls. But, and its a big but - its learning all these things that has made me ready to operate as a freelance illustrator at least part time, but I do now know that illustration is my passion, and could be my job if I keep at it.
Last module, I already feel strange, I'll be starting a live brief on monday so at least I'll be keeping relatively busy. I have totally gotten used to the pace of life on our course and it feels strange to be able to now go and execute all tha plans and experience, that this course has given me to carve myself a career.
My plan for the next year is to pick up client work by promoting myself through publications and online - whilst undertaking a large self directed project which with some dedication, planning and promoting will result in a private exhibition. I have my work cut out for me!
Thanks, its been a great experience.
Jonny
