What is a line? Final Resolution

Etched?  This definitely produces some exciting looking results.  Silver on black is a definite contrast that I think would work well given the delicacy of my final resolution.

Communication is a virus. Final Resolution.

There is a lot to say about this brief.  We were successful in answering the brief of 'telling a lie convincingly' as the video above states.  However, I think the group as a whole got carried away with our idea and therefore essentially forgot that we were on a graphic design course.  It was also hard trying to keep the project secret as we were always asked how it was going and what we had done etc.  As soon as we had our final crit we were told to maybe think about designing a C.V// Business cards etc- a design identity for Oliver Histon.  I think this above all things is testament to the fact that you have to talk to your peers and get feedback- if you're stuck with the same group of minds then you start to think the same way, and that's what happened with us.  Perhaps if we had told a select few people about our idea it could have been developed further before the final crit?

I am happy with the result, and very proud of Nile for having the guts to go through with talking to the second years.  We worked very hard and non of us has a lack of enthusiasm, but I think we just got carried away with this idea of a person and forgot to take it further into the world of graphic design.  

So from this brief I have learned just how important it is to talk to people about your ideas- you never really know what you could have forgotten until someone tells you.

Module Evaluation

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

The main skill I have developed would be my illustration technique.  I have thoroughly researched into the technicalities of perspective drawing and did it first hand.  I went back to basics and compiled some life drawings which helped my general drawing skills because the object is right there, three dimensional- I realised how important it was to look at what you’re drawing, then look back at the object and so on, if you do not do this then your illustrations become what you see in your head and not what you see in front of you.  It is difficult yet rewarding.  I also took the time to draw from some of my photographs, this meant that I could illustrate a really detailed piece and get to grips with shading (which I found was a massive part of my project because I needed to create an illusion of movement and depth within a static image).  I feel I have also gained knowledge of layout from the type and grid sessions that I have applied throughout every brief within this module.

2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I have used different forms of research to solidify my concept and visual strength, ranging from books to existing designers work to sonic experiments.  Mainly my research of existing objects and places informed the stylistic outcome of my illustration, which I think is the designs best aspect.  Also, my knowledge of using the right type of tool for specific jobs has developed.  For example, when I wanted to create a light shading I would use a ‘B’ pencil because it is more soft against a ‘H’, that would be better for harsh definition.  This was within the ‘What is a line?’ brief.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I think my main strength- one which I wasn’t aware of until the ‘what is a line?’ brief- is my illustrative skill.  I have the patience to copy something with quality, yet I can also take away aspects from existing images/objects and put them in a different context.  Also, my understanding of colour theory and what colours go together have increased immensely.  The fact that most briefs have a two colour restriction means that I have researched further into colour theory to get the best possible colour matches that also reflect the subject matter.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I think that I have lacked motivation over this module, specifically over the Easter break and the quantity of work has been affected, which means that the overall outcome has been affected because I have not developed my ideas as much as their potential would allow.  I plan on addressing this by doing something different every so often-switching from brief to brief- so I don’t get stuck with one specific brief that feels like there is too much work.  I think this will help me because I have identified that I have a short attention span, but when I first begin something I put my all into it.  Hopefully this will give me that same ‘new brief’ feeling and every so often boost that I need.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these? 

-       Set in motion my ‘New brief’ plan so that I keep my excitement about what I am doing here.

-       Start doing ‘to-do’ lists every day, they were extremely effective last module, I just need to keep it up and I will be much more organised.

-       Get out more.  Visit exhibitions, museums- experience real life outside of this building so that everything I produce isn’t just a product of influences within this college.

-       Blog.  I will learn more about myself if I am constantly evaluating what I do rather than trying to look at masses of work at the end of a project and finding out it all went wrong in the second week.

-       Talk to people about my ideas more.  They can develop to something I could have never come to on my own, and take me in different directions, ultimately making me think more about my work and what possibilities it holds.

What is a line? Final Resolution

Overall I think this project has been a learning curve.  I feel i've definitely achieved my initial goal of becoming a better illustrator, however, my motivation was low and the whole project had a very slow pace.  I think that if I were to have more time I would create a series of these illustrations.  
I am pleased with this outcome as a whole in the fact that it was a very long process making everything mean something and relate to music- along with making it visually interesting also.  I think the etching technique works perfectly with the delicate look of the illustration, reflecting light, catching the viewers attention.  I would have liked to create a larger scale version of this illustration to give more impact, but unfortunately time and resources wouldn't allow for it.
To conclude, I know I could have done better to reach the projects full potential- because I do believe it has potential- and I plan on addressing my motivation issue next module as outlined in my module evaluation.  However, I don't want to undermine what I have achieved as the illustration I have produced looks interesting whilst communicating sound, and more importantly the feel how the music should look.  This piece is more expressive than a factual infographic, yet still communicates something.