16 17 ouil505 end of module evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation BA (Hons) Illustration Module Code: OUIL505 Illustration 2: Applied Illustration Name: James Moore Student ID: 260353 Learning Outcome

Evidenced where?

Blog, Visual Journal, Roughs, Final Illustrations, Stings, storyboards, development sheets etc. (No more than 75 words)

5A7: Demonstrate an informed understanding of issues relating to media, communication, audience and context through the delivery of solutions to brief led problems or clearly identified creative concerns.

(Knowledge & Understanding - Critical Awareness)

Primary and secondary research was carried out, firstly from visiting comic stores, taking in the surroundings and talking to the storeowners to understand how they see the industry. Outside of this I did extensive research on existing practitioners, as a blueprint for the stylistic route of my work, and also with the sad ghost club, an understanding of appropriate applications for my project. This can all be found on the blog.

5A8: Understand the potential and limitations of technologies and processes used in the production of illustration for 2d, 3d and/or 4d distribution. (Knowledge & Understanding Research)

Shown on the blog, I found through trial that digital was the most efficient process for this module, and gave outcomes that closely resemble the use of real watercolour as a medium. My failing in this aspect was not understanding how watercolour works naturally, meaning I couldn’t properly replicate the medium. My use of mock ups as a continuation of the side illustrations shows that the work can be used for distribution.

5B5: Analyse and critically evaluate the impact of social, cultural, technological and/or ethical concerns on the development of solutions to problems relevant to individual creative concerns.

Cognitive Skills - Problem Analysis, Problem Solving)

The blog shows all process and reflections during the project, how research affected my imagery and why I chose the applications I did. My sketchbook heavily shows my problem solving process, taking quite some time on one of the character designs, thinking it through until it was to a standard I liked.

5C6: Explore and apply a range of appropriate practical and conceptual approaches to self-determined ideas, concepts, solutions/proposals in response to own identified intentions and relevant practices. (Practical Skills Practical and Conceptual Development)

Roughing layout and characters in my sketchbook was the most essential aspect of developing my ideas. Every event that focused or changed the course of the project is documented on the blog, showcasing both sketchbook progression, and digital process.

Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent

Very good

Very good

Very good

Very good

5C7: Produce technically competent and conceptually appropriate outcomes to identified problems through the selection and application of visual skills. (Practical Skills - Visual Quality and Technical Competence)

The final comic, its cover and two additional illustrations showcase my technical ability. This follows through to the presentation boards and project report. Through the blog I talk about my strengths and shortcomings when applying digital watercolours to my work.

5D5: Demonstrate the ability My time was managed well, ensuring that I freed up to plan and carry out a period more than enough time to produce a full comic, of increasingly self-directed evidenced on the blog. study through the appropriate use of workshop areas, studio activities and project management skills.

(Key Transferable Skills Presentation and Evaluation)

Very good

Very good

Summative Evaluation (See Evaluation Guidance on next page for more information) I was eager to start this project, creating something that was almost entirely self-directed, and hopefully through taking a personal perspective to the work, I would be able to reach others. I’ve taken a lot from this module, the importance of tone of work when considering a demographic, how you can use digital as a medium and have it replicate the physical counterparts, and how you can further work through application of illustration. This is thanks to explicitly considering who and how you will sell your work, in other words, appropriate context of the work. I’m continuing to hone my skill of storytelling for this project, finally creating a work that I think engages and communicates with the reader. There are many considerations made for this process, composition of scenes, guiding the eye over the panels for a smoother reading experience, utilizing, for lack of a better term, camera angle to suggest an emotion to a scene. For this project, I found it difficult getting to grips with the faux watercolour medium, understanding that it was my lack of knowledge on the original medium being the shortcoming. The various inductions also added to the array of skills to my disposal, whilst they weren’t utilized for the project, I’m glad I now understand and can do the various processes.

It was easier to stay engaged for this project, having a personal project instilled a drive to complete the project, managing my time for completion of outcomes much better than on previous projects. Although Im satisfied with the outcomes, Id didn’t really dawn on me till the final few days how important the documentation of the process and research is for this brief, leaving strong outcomes, and a under developed blog that doesn’t quite apply the right amount of detail in to the project process. That being said, research played a key role in the approach of the project, helping to find my chosen style, and understanding how it is appropriate. Through my research, I feel the comic may reach somewhat of an untapped audience in the current market, comics dealing with difficult subject matter, aimed at a young audience. All other comics I found following these themes seemed to be aimed at a range of late teen to adult. I’m really happy with how the research affected my work. Be it the existing illustrators, or research of comic stores and application from other companies.

Working from my own writing was a really exciting process too, having an outcome that is entirely my own creation is a nice feeling. There were no restrictions thanks to this, meaning the project could take any route I felt necessary, and could look however I felt necessary. It also makes the process that more rewarding when

others respond to the project positively, encouraging a confidence in my skill as a storyteller.

The application of illustrations element feels under developed for me, I have a range that I feel are appropriate to my project, but I cant help to feel that there is possibly more that could benefit from this process, more interesting applications out there that I failed to consider. Another lacking element, that I continuously mention, is my understanding of real watercolour. Whilst I still stand by my decision to work digitally, I should have created more watercolour visual investigations within the sketchbook, having a play with the medium, learning Its process. The scale and timeframe taken for the comic certainly interfered with this exploration, in future I need to ensure more of a balance between process and outcome.

I’m becoming more and more confident with illustration used as a story telling device, grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to hone the skill within this module. Having to consider the application of the work really instills a drive to understand where my work can sit in the real world. I will maintain this mindset for future modules.