I sent my e-portfolio to Philippa Lightburn, Philippa is an illustrator who was an ex-student at my university, and has gone on to be a professional freelance illustrator.
"I've had a look through your portfolio and I'm really impressed with both your work and the layout. I remember meeting you at the guru evening and I don't think you had a lot of your work with you so seeing it all together like this is really nice! You've got a great style that is obviously working well for you and your portfolio flows well from page to page."
"My favourite illustration is the pollution piece for the RSPCA. I just think it's such a great idea that has been executed really well and it has an immediate message. The two block colours work nicely and it's very graphically striking. I also really love the Wind in the Willows book cover - especially the trees in the background. They're really beautiful colours and have a lovely texture to them."
Since a lot of my portfolio contains a lot of mixed media between hand crafted objects and work I've made on the computer, it's nice that she can appreciate this, and appreciate the use of colour between them. The Fairtrade piece had a strict colour palette, so it's even better that I managed to hold a good synergy regarding colour in the piece.
"The presentation of your portfolio is really strong and I can't fault anything. All the other gurus I've emailed have had little things that I would change with the layout, but yours is perfect!"
I feel I was happy with the way my work was presented, each page follows the exact sizing and measurements of the previous page, so it pleases my perfectionist side. It made me smile that she used the word 'perfect' though, that was a nice comment to receive.
"The only minor thing I can spot is perhaps some of the typography. I really like the typography on the two book covers, the hand drawn quality of it is really nice and compliments the work well. The fonts on the RSPCA and Fair Trade images could perhaps be a bit more interesting and match the styles of the illustrations more. But this is a really minor thing so please don't take it to heart. I'm only picking up on it because I went to a graphic design agency and the guy said I could do with changing the font on one of my pieces. Graphic designers are really in to type so carefully choosing one or designing your own can be worth your while!"
This has been interesting because Pat Carroll said the opposite, he has worked with graphic designers for years and doesn't think the typeface works with the skyline. I do think the type does fit with the series or books, it's a very hand rendered characterful typeface and I do like it. It's very interesting to receive opinions from people who have experience from the industry, because it's just an opinion, and you can only take from it what you asked for, a collection of opinions gives you a more broad range of feedback.
Overall Philippa was very pleased with my work and I am glad with this. I want to try and improve some of the pieces of work though, there are other potential pieces that didn't make it into the portfolio that maybe I will reconsider.
Professional Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Set Creator.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
E-Portfolio Feedback - Gary Prendergast & Pat Carroll
I have been given feedback by two artists, Gary Prendergast and Pat Carroll, Pat has worked with many successful graphic designers and students, and has made LPs for band albums such as The Happy Mondays. They found my portfolio layout to appear very professional, all the pages are perfectly laid out and look as they should. They were both very fond of my illustrative and graphical combinations in my work, and said that they can tell straight away what kind of style I have with my work.
Pat was very impressed with my RSPCA work and thought they were my strongest pieces, some pieces such as the Josie Dew piece, has a great potential, but is let down by the typeface and the statue in the centre, it would be good if this piece could be amended. I felt I liked the typeface, but agree with the statue comment, it is a bit of an anti-climax, it just looks a little out of place. If after removing the statue, there is too much of an open gap, I could work on making the skyline a bit higher.
They said my work reminded them of an artist called Paul Rand and recommended I look into him, as my work has a similar style. Overall, they said that my portfolio does have a really nice feel and gives off my aura, which I am glad about. I will go into my eportfolio and try to make some amendments to past work over the Christmas holiday.
Pat was very impressed with my RSPCA work and thought they were my strongest pieces, some pieces such as the Josie Dew piece, has a great potential, but is let down by the typeface and the statue in the centre, it would be good if this piece could be amended. I felt I liked the typeface, but agree with the statue comment, it is a bit of an anti-climax, it just looks a little out of place. If after removing the statue, there is too much of an open gap, I could work on making the skyline a bit higher.
They said my work reminded them of an artist called Paul Rand and recommended I look into him, as my work has a similar style. Overall, they said that my portfolio does have a really nice feel and gives off my aura, which I am glad about. I will go into my eportfolio and try to make some amendments to past work over the Christmas holiday.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
What does illustration mean?
"As our visual language evolves, the playing field is leveling. Graphic designers, sculptors, painters, creative developers, and even musicians amorphously meander across different parts of our creative industries. As a consequence, I often wonder what the term 'Illustration' now means. Maybe as a medium it might need to do more than vocationalise aesthetics and cultivate a border palate of profundity for its own survival."
- Michael Salu, Artistic Director of Granta Magazine
2012 Varoom
This is a very interesting and provocative quote. Technology is constantly upgrading, and has evolved how art is both created and perceived, is this a good or bad thing? Like a lot of things, there are pros and cons, take the new 'gifs' for example, a way of creating illustrations to be in two or three fast moving images, to create a 'moving' image, these are seen on websites now as an alternative to images in some e-magazines. These being better or worse than how they are shown in physical magazines isn't relevant, whats relevant is how they are being implemented into technology.
Today we see the art work of Picasso in galleries and are amazed at the presence of the piece next to us, to think his hand once touched that canvas, it has an aura. But seeing the same image online isn't really the same, but how would someone being born into this new technological world perceive this? Would they miss this out, and only see the 'new' (which to them is the 'current') as being worthwhile? The playing field isn't just leveling, it's also changing. New vocabulary is being added to visual language, but I feel that different ages will see this in different ways, some will see it as an addition, and good thing, and others will take it as a change, when a way of working is being implemented, another way of working is being sunk.
My own work will probably take a toll at this, I work as I want to work, I create images I like and cast it from my own heart, but I can still do the same thing using new technology, or adapting new techniques. I would really like to learn how to make gifs and any new advancement, as a new way of working is another challenge to overcome and maybe it will help me to find a new way of working that I can really enjoy.
"Illustration" to me means to produce art from the heart, this means making designs that I want to make, that I want people to see, not necessarily like. To me, changing or making a new word for illustration would be irrelevant, because it would still be the same thing. I may work on a computer sometimes, but I'm still illustrating, I'm still using my soul as the inspiration for my work, regardless of whatever subjective word is used, so what's the difference?
AOI would also have to change it's name.
- Michael Salu, Artistic Director of Granta Magazine
2012 Varoom
This is a very interesting and provocative quote. Technology is constantly upgrading, and has evolved how art is both created and perceived, is this a good or bad thing? Like a lot of things, there are pros and cons, take the new 'gifs' for example, a way of creating illustrations to be in two or three fast moving images, to create a 'moving' image, these are seen on websites now as an alternative to images in some e-magazines. These being better or worse than how they are shown in physical magazines isn't relevant, whats relevant is how they are being implemented into technology.
Today we see the art work of Picasso in galleries and are amazed at the presence of the piece next to us, to think his hand once touched that canvas, it has an aura. But seeing the same image online isn't really the same, but how would someone being born into this new technological world perceive this? Would they miss this out, and only see the 'new' (which to them is the 'current') as being worthwhile? The playing field isn't just leveling, it's also changing. New vocabulary is being added to visual language, but I feel that different ages will see this in different ways, some will see it as an addition, and good thing, and others will take it as a change, when a way of working is being implemented, another way of working is being sunk.
My own work will probably take a toll at this, I work as I want to work, I create images I like and cast it from my own heart, but I can still do the same thing using new technology, or adapting new techniques. I would really like to learn how to make gifs and any new advancement, as a new way of working is another challenge to overcome and maybe it will help me to find a new way of working that I can really enjoy.
"Illustration" to me means to produce art from the heart, this means making designs that I want to make, that I want people to see, not necessarily like. To me, changing or making a new word for illustration would be irrelevant, because it would still be the same thing. I may work on a computer sometimes, but I'm still illustrating, I'm still using my soul as the inspiration for my work, regardless of whatever subjective word is used, so what's the difference?
AOI would also have to change it's name.
Ric Frankland / Dwelle Lecture
Ric Frankland is an architect based in Manchester and hosted a lecture about himself and his company, Dwelle. Dwelle is a company that creates interesting and energy efficient buildings. The advantages of these "Dwelle.ings" are that they are small, sustainable, and fairly quick to set up. They also have a zero carbon status.
Although Ric was talking about architecture, his current struggles and exciting opportunities and successes, I think it was good to take from it that he was just a man that had a large dream of making 'sheds for living', and even though that business may have seemed like a long shot, he got on with it and after 9 months of working from home, he went out and made a successful business from it. Even though he says he has made little money and profit, he has still appeared in magazines, tv home shows and has shown his work in many exciting events, such as Grand Designs Live.
It is clear that just building up your dreams isn't enough to make them real, you have to get out there and try! The buildings look really intricate and homely for a small building, and people pay for sessions with Ric and his small team to learn all about the 'Sheds for Living', a lot can be learned from his journey. I found him and his story very interesting, and I do find the creative process of design to be fulfilling to my creativity.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Hopes Fears and Oppertunities
At the start of the year, I set some Hopes, Fears, and hopeful opportunities. Firstly, for my hopes, I wanted to create work that I (note the bold 'I') both enjoy making and am proud of, and I feel I have gradually felt the freedom of being able to achieve this, as in previous years I have felt that I have restricted myself while searching for how I want to work. During the last two projects I do feel that I am creating work that I want to make, and not necessarily something that someone else would like to see, I am gaining confidence in myself to make what I want to make!
Fears are always present, but I feel I have gained an immunity to criticism, I have always been worried about what someone really thinks of my work, and have always doubted myself when receiving compliments for my art, and think about what the person may actually be thinking. It's unhealthy to think in this way because if you ask someone for what they think, they will generally tell you what they think, when you ask someone for visual feedback, it's a very honest subject but just an opinion.
I feel that illustration is about finding your heart, and this should be reflected in a person's work. At the end of the day, you ask for someone's opinion, and you get their opinion, but that's all it is, and another person will give you another opinion. One human's opinion shouldn't be the only tie when making art, it's about what the artist has to offer (unless ofcourse, the work is for someone, but even then they want a piece of you, not themselves)
For the next semester I need to get involved in a few opportunities as I have in previous years, there's no better way to learn about yourself than to explore the art world, see how people work, get involved with them, see how things are on the inside. I loved working with Lord Whitney last year, it shows that on the inside they were just like me, there's no reason why I can't be as successful as they are. It was also nice to see how casual they are, they aren't 24/7 workaholics (well, only until the deadline date) but you can be both professional and casual at the same time, being yourself.
I hope to spend time with other artists in the next semester, maybe get some experience to see how different artists apply their methods, and how they cope with stresses and just generally what they're like!
Fears are always present, but I feel I have gained an immunity to criticism, I have always been worried about what someone really thinks of my work, and have always doubted myself when receiving compliments for my art, and think about what the person may actually be thinking. It's unhealthy to think in this way because if you ask someone for what they think, they will generally tell you what they think, when you ask someone for visual feedback, it's a very honest subject but just an opinion.
I feel that illustration is about finding your heart, and this should be reflected in a person's work. At the end of the day, you ask for someone's opinion, and you get their opinion, but that's all it is, and another person will give you another opinion. One human's opinion shouldn't be the only tie when making art, it's about what the artist has to offer (unless ofcourse, the work is for someone, but even then they want a piece of you, not themselves)
For the next semester I need to get involved in a few opportunities as I have in previous years, there's no better way to learn about yourself than to explore the art world, see how people work, get involved with them, see how things are on the inside. I loved working with Lord Whitney last year, it shows that on the inside they were just like me, there's no reason why I can't be as successful as they are. It was also nice to see how casual they are, they aren't 24/7 workaholics (well, only until the deadline date) but you can be both professional and casual at the same time, being yourself.
I hope to spend time with other artists in the next semester, maybe get some experience to see how different artists apply their methods, and how they cope with stresses and just generally what they're like!
Monday, 16 December 2013
Website Scouting
I am currently looking at various websites as an idea of how to invent my work online. I have looked at a good range of illustrator's websites. Most illustrators websites are very eye catching yet simple, from my observations, I have come to the conclusion that illustration websites aim to have the following qualities:
1. Easily navigate through work - There's nothing worse than looking through a website and not being able to find what you need, confusing titles, colours that make you want to leave, loading videos that make people want to press the X at the top right corner of the screen (or left if you use a Mac) or close tab or whatever.
2. Website should have a 'feel' that relates to the artist - All of the websites I have seen have an atmosphere that gets you into the mood of the person's work, if that art work could have a home, what would it look like? This is the basis for the website, it should point towards the work itself.
3. Look Professional - "talkin lik dis makes ur webi luk shitm8" Making everything look nice and tidy and professional just makes YOU look more professional. Let the design compliment your work and it should all fit together.
I have looked at Lord Whitney's website (http://lordwhitney.co.uk/) It has a nice intricate design with some of the props they have made as a background. One notable thing they have done with the home page is made it say different welcomes and have different lighting effects depending on the time of day. Such as "Good Evening" and "Good Morning". The actual website has a distinctive layout, with a simple to use black bar across the top which contains options to view the work, news and contact information.
The website really gives a feeling of being in the Lord Whitney home and just what they are about, it has an interesting timeline of each of their work events. The website doesn't just compliment their work, it contains the aura of it, it directly relates to the them.
I have also looked at David Shrigley's website (http://www.davidshrigley.com/) He has a nice white-text on black background theme with a very illustrative typeface, there are many options on the right, the only main difference and flaw with his website is that the link you choose usually leads to a boring white webpage with blue links to view work. It would be nice to see the same theme going throughout. Saying this, the website still does it's primary functions, allows the viewing of work and provides contact details.
David Firth is an animator that makes illustrative cartoons, he has a website called Fat-Pie (http://www.fat-pie.com/) His website hosts all of his different series on the left. There are also links for FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), images, contact details as well as links to his blogs and social networking pages. His website does look fairly narrow and basic, but it does it's job. Unfortunately, Firth seems to be quite lazy and only updates it about once every few months, but just like a blog, it shows his latest posts and additions at the very top.
His website design doesn't seem to adopt any particular style, it's just basic blue with white and black text. Probably because it's more of a showcase blog than a proper professional artists' website.
I have looked at an artist called Lauren Brading (http://www.offthepagedesign.com/), she has a very simple website (I think it was probably made in Wix, a simple website building host), the website looks fairly bland, but is complimented by that nice lovely AOI logo under her name! I personally prefer to look at her work on the AOI website itself, just because her website just looks a bit too small and basic.
I think having looked at some of these websites, people try to do as best they can for as cheaply as they can (Free website makers seem to have limited options, whereas if you build it yourself from scratch, the world is your oyster. I wouldn't say any of these sites are particularly 'bad', some are just better than others. They all serve a websites purpose, but they're illustrators, a website is such a good opportunity to get your style across!
1. Easily navigate through work - There's nothing worse than looking through a website and not being able to find what you need, confusing titles, colours that make you want to leave, loading videos that make people want to press the X at the top right corner of the screen (or left if you use a Mac) or close tab or whatever.
2. Website should have a 'feel' that relates to the artist - All of the websites I have seen have an atmosphere that gets you into the mood of the person's work, if that art work could have a home, what would it look like? This is the basis for the website, it should point towards the work itself.
3. Look Professional - "talkin lik dis makes ur webi luk shitm8" Making everything look nice and tidy and professional just makes YOU look more professional. Let the design compliment your work and it should all fit together.
I have looked at Lord Whitney's website (http://lordwhitney.co.uk/) It has a nice intricate design with some of the props they have made as a background. One notable thing they have done with the home page is made it say different welcomes and have different lighting effects depending on the time of day. Such as "Good Evening" and "Good Morning". The actual website has a distinctive layout, with a simple to use black bar across the top which contains options to view the work, news and contact information.
The website really gives a feeling of being in the Lord Whitney home and just what they are about, it has an interesting timeline of each of their work events. The website doesn't just compliment their work, it contains the aura of it, it directly relates to the them.
I have also looked at David Shrigley's website (http://www.davidshrigley.com/) He has a nice white-text on black background theme with a very illustrative typeface, there are many options on the right, the only main difference and flaw with his website is that the link you choose usually leads to a boring white webpage with blue links to view work. It would be nice to see the same theme going throughout. Saying this, the website still does it's primary functions, allows the viewing of work and provides contact details.
David Firth is an animator that makes illustrative cartoons, he has a website called Fat-Pie (http://www.fat-pie.com/) His website hosts all of his different series on the left. There are also links for FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), images, contact details as well as links to his blogs and social networking pages. His website does look fairly narrow and basic, but it does it's job. Unfortunately, Firth seems to be quite lazy and only updates it about once every few months, but just like a blog, it shows his latest posts and additions at the very top.
His website design doesn't seem to adopt any particular style, it's just basic blue with white and black text. Probably because it's more of a showcase blog than a proper professional artists' website.
I have looked at an artist called Lauren Brading (http://www.offthepagedesign.com/), she has a very simple website (I think it was probably made in Wix, a simple website building host), the website looks fairly bland, but is complimented by that nice lovely AOI logo under her name! I personally prefer to look at her work on the AOI website itself, just because her website just looks a bit too small and basic.
I think having looked at some of these websites, people try to do as best they can for as cheaply as they can (Free website makers seem to have limited options, whereas if you build it yourself from scratch, the world is your oyster. I wouldn't say any of these sites are particularly 'bad', some are just better than others. They all serve a websites purpose, but they're illustrators, a website is such a good opportunity to get your style across!
Business Cards
I have made some business cards for myself. just to see what they will look like when I come to make some official ones after Christmas. I think they look decent, they have a very 'shapey' feel to them, and a warm illustrative emotion. Will just have to see what they look like when they arrive...
I have worked with the skyline imagery from the current project to make the cards, I thought this was a nice idea as the skyline works well with all the illuminated lights, it is quite eye catching.
Front:
Back:
I wasn't 100% sure exactly where the cutting will take place, so I may lose a little of the design, but here's to testing.
I have worked with the skyline imagery from the current project to make the cards, I thought this was a nice idea as the skyline works well with all the illuminated lights, it is quite eye catching.
Front:
I wasn't 100% sure exactly where the cutting will take place, so I may lose a little of the design, but here's to testing.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Little Brown Book - Mockups
After a few weeks of designing, I have 'beta' versions of the book covers.
Looking at these from far away, I want to get rid of the bikes in the background, it was used to show that the book is about bikes, and was a way of synergising consistency between them all, but it looks too much like a watermark of some sort.
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