Assignment 1: Illustration 1- Key Steps in Illustration- Tutor Feedback and Reflection

• The history of Illustration: The first exercise explored how illustration has evolved over the last 50 years by identifying and exploring the differences between a range of traditional and contemporary illustrators. You have a very strong approach to discussion which is intelligently written and provides a broad comparison of each artist.

• You are making connections and clear observations as you reflect and produce variations in the style of Hodgkinson. Try changing the tone on the left to a darker blue, perhaps add in some flecks of blue to the right also.

  I went back to my original design and tested with a few different tones of blue. I have updated the blog post (at the bottom of the page) with the results and further discussion/response.

• For Minton you have captured the expression and hurt in the posture and action of the character,. Aim to show more tests here, you might try out a range of mark making or hatching experiments with ink and water before bringing this into a final illustration.

• What shows is that you have the capability to express mood and atmosphere using specific colour and content.

  I went back to my original plan and tested using a varied range of mark making/experimental techniques

• For your evaluation; discuss what knowledge you have gained, what did you find difficult or straight forward? What do you think your strengths are here and how might you work towards improving any weakness. Has this spurred on any new ideas or avenues for investigation with materials?

  I added my evaluative response and have kept these key questions in mind moving forwards.

• The getting the gist exercise asked you to condense some chosen text into keywords and then have a go at illustrating them. You already have an organised approach to briefs where you are breaking down and categorizing information. Spend time exploring typical design aspects of editorial Illustration. Add in some examples of Illustrators who work in editorial, discuss their personal approaches to format, colour, design and content. Consider how the image might interact with the text.

  I researched into 3 designers looking and comparing their editorial work which I found interesting/feel inspired by their work, in particular Chris Burnett. Further discussion/response is at the bottom of the page linked.

• You are considerate to evoking an understanding of feeling through the colour and textures you collate. Reworking and editing imagery results in clearer communication. There is strength in composition, wide open space emphasizing yearning for discovery, the small figures heightening out insignificance to the wider universe.

• Consider how this image will sit alongside font and whether some aspects may interact with the font. Add in a discussion on what you think is successful/ unsuccessful about your design in your evaluation. How has it met aspects of the brief and conveyed the image you wanted? A good way of testing your design is to mock it back into an article - This will help you evaluate its success as an image that sits next to text. Then use your research of other editorial images to compare and contrast against your own design.

  This was a massive reminder to always consider context of not just the design itself but of the form it will be used for. I discussed/responded further here.

• Assignment 1: To begin this Assignment, add in research into greeting card design, make a list of typical elements used and consider the intention of card design. Consider the format and layout before approaching a design, how might you to use the front, middle and back in order to communicate further.

• I can clearly see your inspiration and an instinctive response with mark making. It would be useful to slow right down here, give yourself more options. Produce many thumbnail drawings which consider how a design might flow from one area to another, test more interests from your list. Spend time experimenting with materials, instead of using found images, try drawing your own.

• This has potential but needs more time to develop fully.

• Action Points: Delve into exploring more materials, get out of your comfort zone. With found imagery; instead of using a figure: make your own figure out of many parts. Be more daring and experimental. Try combining more drawing with collage: Look at Saul Steinberg, Sara Fanelli

• Paul Wearing: textures, symbols and shapes.

• Add specific research in, which ties to the brief, for every exercise and Assignment. This will help shape your own experiments.

• Start a sketchbook alongside your main OCA book where you draw every day. This might be 30 second drawings on the way to work, or longer drawings where you focus for a dedicated amount of time. Draw family and friends to push your figure drawing, places; your home or garden for example. Add to this as the course progresses and let it naturally feed back into your OCA work. Draw from memory, observation and imagination.

• Add in more detailed evaluations in order to discuss your progress.

  I went back to my Assignment and continued to develop it. I designed a new final image and responded further here at the bottom of the page. I also researched the above artists and have included the images/the inspiration drawn from them in following tasks.