Visual Skills - Self Evaluation

SELF EVALUATION 

1)Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice

Within this module I mostly used paper cutting (brief 2&3), this is because I have used this technique many times so I know it’s something that I’m used to and very much enjoy doing. I also know that it is a method that, when done well, shows great craftsmanship which adds to the aesthetics of the piece. However, I don’t think I showed my best paper-cutting work in this module, as I chose very simple shapes to cut out opposed to my usual detailed style. But this was mainly due to the lack time. I also discovered COPIC markers in my first brief, which I used in my final outcome. I really liked the way they add a tone of block colour to a line drawing, creating a cartoony style. However, I didn’t look into using these markers in much depth in terms of colour and layering, so I want to see how else I can develop this media in my later work.

2) Which principles/theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?

I found that creating roughs is such a fundamental aspect of generating ideas quickly and efficiently. This is because they can show an idea in a simple sketch and can instantly tell whether it is going to work compositionally and as an aspect in itself without spending ages of time drawing it out. Although I still need to use roughs a lot more in my work, as I didn’t generate enough rough ideas for me to work with to produce a successful outcome. However this has made me realise the importance of them, so for my next module I can use them a lot more. I also saw the importance of drawing within a frame, as it makes you think more about how the composition of the subject/narrative needs to adapt to the given measurements and how it needs to work with it. 

3) What strengths can you identify within your submission and how have you capitalised one these?

My strengths within this module is that I didn’t over complicate a subject so much that it became totally bizarre to the audience. I also think that in some of my briefs it shows good craftsmanship, especially in my latest brief, as this is generally one of my biggest strengths and I didn’t think it was apparent in my first two briefs so homed in on it in my last. This is evident in my check pattern, as each line is straight and equally spaced out. You can also see this in the cutting of my last brief. It makes you realised how much of a difference it makes, as the aesthetics are a lot more successful compared to my first illustrations. 

4) What areas for further development can you identify within your submission and how will you address these in future? 

The area I struggled the most in was when we had to generate ideas, as I really struggle with creating narrative and content to my illustration work, as visual language is my stronger subject. I have learnt how important it is to create as many roughs as possible, even though they might seem  a bit obvious or simple, sometimes simplicity is key when trying to convey a message. I also need to focus more on my craft, as I was quite lazy in my first two briefs as I took the easy option. Although this has made me realise how important it is to put care in my work, as the outcome is always so rewarding. 

5) In what ways has this module introduced you to the BA (Hons) Illustration programme?

This module has introduced me to the world of blogging and how useful it is in terms of reflection and development, as it makes you think twice about the outcome of your work. It’s also made me realise that I can’t be a perfectionist (when doing roughs) as it’s more important to just put down a concept to paper. Also that I will make mistakes and not everything I do is going to be successful, which I think is important to remember.