End of Module 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.