ITAP Lecture- Week 9

Production for Visual Communicators

A Brief History of Production

References- rembrandtpainting.net, jobarry.co.uk, my own work.

From the start of artwork being produced, many traditional materials and techniques were created to make different textures and effects, many who have continued to be used today. For example, etching is a very traditional technique that has been used for centuries to produce very detailed and beautiful artwork.

His work is full of character and keeps to the technique he has used to its full potential.

Specifically with this piece below, it is full of detail and various degrees of tone.

A more modern etcher I have found is Jo Barry, who created etchings in the  1970’s onwards.

Her work is visually stunning, and a slight move forward in time and the appearance of her work compared to Rembrandts, as colour is added as another element, that creates atmosphere in her pieces.

In terms of my own work produced this term, focussing on my animation project, I produced some puppets that were hand rendered.

I have hand rendered these puppets, and made them so they can move to create a stop motion animation, so it is incorporating the physical drawing process with the modern input of computer software, which work together well.

So it is not just about the thinking process, it is experimenting, trying out techniques, good and bad, to see what works.

The Design Workflow

References- my own work.

Concerning my workflow and the processes I go through, I have used my animation project as an example, as it was the longest in terms of time out of the projects I have done at university, as well as this particular project having many different elements to my workflow.

I have created a workflow specific to my animation project which is shown below;

Project brief introduced

Project layout preparation/storyboard creations

Making and production of puppets and props

Filming of the animation, using stop motion and green screen.

Creation of paintings used as a stop motion as added extra scenes to the animation

Editing and arrangement of the animation on Final Cut Pro

Finishing touches and display of the final animation

This shows each stage I went through to produce the final outcome. In addittion to this, there were certain times where processes took longer, had to be repeated, etc in order to reach the final outcome.

Following on from this, although there were parts of the process that took longer than expected, the workflow used shows the  organisational aspect of the project, as well as the more time consuming parts of the project, i.e. the making of the puppets, as well as the filming.

 However, by applying the workflow to every project I produce, it will enable me to keep focussed on every stage of the project, and also keep track to the final outcome.

One example of a traditional etcher is Rembrandt, who was around in the 1600’s creating paintings and also etchings.

ITAP Lecture- Week 8

Photography Used in Context

References- nytimes.com, thetravelphotographer.blogspot.com, newsgrist,typepad.com.

One particular image can be used in a number of different contexts, to also portray various meanings. By involving a story into the equation, it changes the use and purpose of the photograph.

Photographer Tyler Hicks has hiss specialist subject as newspaper photography.  



He depicts very profounding images of devasations and tradgedies that have occured across the world. The photographs he has captured are situated in Indonesia, India, etc. Hicks has been able to be at the heart of many major events, to display desperation and poverty.

Every image can tell a story, by the media from newspapers and the internet, it can bring forward to our minds and thoughts of how other peoples’ lives are lead, good and bad. But specifically, some photographers try to portray a sense of need and awareness.

These images shown really show their lives, how they lead them in their current situation, with the tragic events happening around them. It really makes the audience realise how they live their life, and apprecaite what they have, and this results in very powerful and moving photography created here.

Photography used to Influence and Create Emotion

 References- herion-barnados.org.uk, mdiadoodle.blogspot.com, fubiz.net

There are various forms of media, for example newspapers, poster campaigns, charities, promotion etc that are all created to play on our emotions and opinions on issues.  For example children’s charities really use this emotional tool very well to their advantage.

These types of photographs and imagery have one sole purpose- to shock us and be made aware of the context of the photograph.

 The photos shown below are for the NSPCC charity for children. The first image has the baby as the main subject, holding a syringe and a wire in a grungy environment, setting the scene of what some kind of squalor children live in our society. 

The following poster takes a different approach to the issue of child abuse. A keyboard is shown, which is part of our lifestyle, with internet, computers etc, so people can instantly relate to this image. With the manipulation of the word “help” in the keyboard, it is suggesting it is simple and you are one step away from contacting the charity for help.

With these posters, they are very powerful and heart rendering to the audience, with the composition playing a big part as well. This photo below is the whole of the poster, the main subject and it is quite an influential image, as it is reaching out to th peopl of Britain from another country, showing us that we musn't forget those vunerable children across the world.

In conclusion to this, in order to capture the audiences’ attention, you need to make a big impact visually, as this is more accessible and quick to absorb the information, so as a result of this, will persuade the reader to make an informed decision on the issue at hand.

ITAP Lecture- Week 7

Development of Creative Thought and Structure in Illustration and Graphic Art.

Overcoming Mindset- Relaxing your Habitual Thinking Patterns

References; Illustration now!, artnet.com, altpick.com,

When you are given a brief, there is an instant setup in many practitioners’ minds that is a set routine- with a stringent way and method of approaching a brief. This could also be known as habitual thinking, which is what we are familiar with, what feels safe and “correct”, what we have been taught, which can lead to predictable results, so by experimenting with your work ,it can lead to more fresh and new ideas emerging.

To break this down, there are three steps;

 1. Think about rules to break, 2. Challenge and change the rules- is there a motive, reason behind it? 3. Be playful and free with your work, don’t be convectional.

These steps may alter the way in which we process and develop our work.

Below are some examples in which illustrators and designers have twisted and adapted tan image into their own style and humour to create individuality.  

Artist Gary Baseman is a good example of this, as  his style of drawing is quite soft and childlike, but the context of his work can be suggested to be ominous, but at the same portrays humour.

The key to this is, from referring to Baseman’s work, use your own imagination and thoughts, and this is where your individuality and originality will emerge, resulting in very unique and sometimes accidental style artwork that may work successfully.  

Managing a Creative Environment

References;city-arts.org.uk, alberta.inetgiant.ca, in-kamiya.jp, easeysartists.com

Being a practitioner is not just being a creative thinker, although this is a major part of the working process. It is also influences around you in terms of the world around us, personal interests, culture and many other things. And it also comes in the form of where the practitioner works, the atmosphere and environment, to create their pieces.

In addition to this, many artists collect materials, and other items that they are interested in or think it would benefit them in their work.

I have found some examples that indicate how different and varied each individual practitioner is in terms of their workspace and preference on how they work.

With this particular studio space I have found, it is a large empty conversion building, and with the work the practitioner is using, it is very fitting as it is large scale pieces of work.

Concerning the following image, it is quite a small special area, but the walls are adorned with patterns and art work as good inspiration in your direct view.

This artist is literally surrounded by their work, and they are immersed in the work they are doing, that suggests passion and the constant turnover of work that is being developed here.

With this studio, there are a lot of technical equipment and storage space. There is no real sense of character or personality compared to the previous studios shown, as no work is displayed. It shows how focussed the practitioner is to completing the tasks set.

Concerning studio space, it depends on budget and preference as well, what suits you and is fitting to you. Whether you want to be organised and store your work away, or display it all over your work space to inspire your following art pieces.

ITAP lecture- week 6

Itap Lecture- Week 6

Production and Outcomes- Influences and Reactions

Interpretation

References- 1st-art-gallery.com, letsreadgreek.com, chilloutpoint.com,

Interpretation is how designers apply meaning within a message and use influences around them and around the world, so everyone can relate to it in one aspect or another.  One example I have found is focussing on the well known Aesop’s Fables, which the stories have remained unchanged for years.

The first images I have chosen were produced in 1912, so this suggests to us that at this time, limited variety of materials was a common occurrence. Only black ink has been used here, as well as it being very detailed. This was the norm and was before abstract and other eras developed.

Moving on from this, I have also found a website that has displayed and that shows an alternative element to show the quite traditional Aesop’s Fables in a more modern and comical way. It uses photographs, and some form of manipulation software to compose the image together. This is in contrast to the previous images I looked that, in terms of progression of technology and style and taste.  It brings the sometimes mundane stories to life and back into the 21^st century.

There are also many books that illustrate these well known fables for children, in which a cartoon style approach has been applied.

With each different type of interptretation seen above, the audience, and the time or era in which it was produced all affect their appearance, and style.

Delivery

References- culture24.org.uk, news.bbc.co.uk, jennirope.com, yespleaseblog.blogspot.com

The delivery of a piece or series of work can be crucial to promoting a designers work to the public eye and prospective clients. Especially for young and new designers in the business, it is a stepping stone to putting their work out there. And also by choosing different media, it is bringing a fresh look out onto the work. This could be in the form of textiles, shop windows, as well as designing for well known brands, like supermarkets or banks.

I have found a couple of designers who have used shop windows as a canvas for their art. Matt Mellor, who entered a local competition, in which artists design and create artwork for empty shop windows in York.  He also has a blog showing all his latest works, which almost every designer has in this modern society to communicate their work to everyone around the world, and locally. A Blog is essential for future clients and so on, but another form of media should be used to ensure maximum publicity to deliver you work to the people.

Napa illustration is a company who help up and coming illustrators to showcase their work, as well as working together with fellow art minded people. This can be delivered in the form of galleries, posters, and shops windows, in which I have focussed on. They have simply used marker pens on the windows to create their artwork, which is very effective and has a charming hand rendered quality.

ITAP lecture-Week 5

Story Development- 3 Act Structure

References; blog.muradqureshi.com, aceshowbiz.com, indiewire.com, sheknows.com

With all films and moving image pieces, there is a basic guide to the order of a moving image piece, which is;

Beginning:Middle:End, or Establish:Crisis:Resolve.

However people adapt and change these structures to suit the context of the film, as well as their style of working.

The example I have chosen is the film “Slumdog Millionaire”, in which I have considered each of the following elements which contribute to the films triumph.

The protagonist in this film is Jamal Malik, who is the main character, who is being questioned by police into attempted cheating in a TV quiz show. He is the one person we follow throughout the story of the film taking us back in time to how certain points in his life affected his life now.

The equilibrium and pace of the film becomes quite steady, but then an event, pinnacle to the story occurs that affects the rest of the film, and this focuses on the part where his mother is killed unlawfully, leaving him to fend for himself and his siblings on the streets, where they encounter drugs, running from the law, amongst other things. This could be classed as a “domino effect”, so as a result of this one event, it disrupts the remaining film and its characters within it.

Additionally, there is an “outer story”, so there are smaller stories happening alongside the main story, so this can result in the protagonist noticing some changes, and these often include an emotional element, which is his romance with Lakita, whom they have known each other since children, and as  she becomes a "damsel in distress" with a violent husband, he rescues her, strengthening their love.

In addition to this, “flashbacks” are featured in this film, with the main character as a child living in the slums of Mumbai, which in turn relates and helps us understand the story, and how the character got to where he is at the point of the film. So this type of structure works very well.

Story Development: The Heroes Journey

References; markreadsharrypotter.buzznet.com, mtv.com, themovieplanet.wordpress.com, forums.superheroetype.com

 In many films, the main character usually undergoes an adventure or task, which is the bulk of the story’s plot.

In this case, I am looking at the Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire and the protagonist is Harry potter, a young wizard. Concerning the mono myth, the main story of the film, which is featured and continued throughout the Potter franchise, is the aim to destroy Voldermort and to find out the truth about the loss of his parents. The first stage, “departure” is continued throughout the film, as Harry is on a task to fight his demons. 

The second stage is “initiation”, which involves meeting with the enemy, so he can become a “champion” in a sense, so his competition he enters from the Goblet of Fire, that entails 3 difficult and risky tasks to win the "challenge cup",unwillingly, is quite a major part of the film, helping him to fight his ultimate enemy, (below).

The third stage is “return” that entails lots of action and adventure, a “race to the finish” with hopefully a happy and successful ending, which in this case is Harry winning the competition, and also his fight against Voldermort.

 This particular principle is key to many films, predominantly adventure and action films. It also entices the audience to follow and become involved with the characters, resulting in a thriving film.

ITAP lecture week 4- Reflective Visual Journal

Draw. Work by hand

References: Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art Of Designers, Illustrators And Creatives by Richard Brereton

RVJ- It is a core element in a designers work and development in order to improve and progress. The RVJ is where the ideas and thoughts of the creator are displayed. Perfection is not an issue, the less perfect the better in some ways, as it gives you more room to express and develop.

Also visual thinking is applied here, specifically to hand rendered work. It is all about the hand and paper, the relationship between them and how their work is translated onto the paper. There is an allowance to take risks, and using a variety of materials.

From the book mentioned above, I found a quote stating “sketches are like embryos...as soon as they have been realized; they are born and start to live”.

A few examples I have collected from this book are from artist Carole Agaesse- ink drawings in her sketchbooks are simple and sometimes abstract. She felt that keeping a sketchbook was a natural process to take in order to record her ideas. As well we this, they are a personal item too, used in her everyday life. (below)

Artist Pep Carrio (below) uses more collage and collected items, which he plays around with and manipulates to his style of working. He uses it more like a diary, each day creating a new image from his experiences form the day he has had.  

So drawing is a vital tool for all designers and creators, with hand rendered work capturing more of the artist personality and individuality.

Utilise your creative brain

References: wetcanvas.com, arts.guardian.co.uk/page/0,,869624,00.html,

We all have 2 different brains, and there’s quite a contrast between them- it’s our responsibility and choice of what we use and how we use it. The right side of the brain is playful, innocent and free, no worries about risk or mistakes. Left side of the brain is more organised, where you select, edit; there is more of a though process occurring here.

You can only use one side of your brain at a time- so in a way it creates a balance between work and play. In a way it is best to have both rather than one, that way we would be constantly working or scatty and not focused enough.

Spontaneity and focus are applied as a creator. We draw, then evaluate, ask questions and suggestions. All artists’ drawings, although they can be quite random, they may have an underlying theme or intention, as all of our thoughts lead to something we intend to create.

In terms of artists, David Hockney has created very observant drawings of the public and things around him and are to help him with his drawing skills, not necessarily a set piece of work. Playful and quite a loose style applied and free, the sketches are expressive and full of character.

Henrik Delehag (below), uses a pen is his main material, and also his work is precise and exact and prefers to work in black and white, with a lot of detail incorporated into it.

Depending on the artist, the playful and organised sides of our brain are kept well apart. For others, they can merge together to produce thriving pieces of work.

ITAP lecture week 3

Design Processes

Legibility

References: redmum.ie, isgreaterthan.net

 Legibility is a key factor in visual art, as it can determine whether it can bring a strong message across to the audience.  Font and lettering need to be clear, as well as the use of caps lock, size colour, text over image and defined enough paragraphs or blocks of writing need to be considered in your work. Web pages advertisements, newspapers for example have to think about these factors.  It also depends on its audience and purpose, whether it’s informative or for entertainment.  

One of the examples I’ve collected is a cover of the Daily Mail newspaper, which is very clear in its font and bold. And since it is a reading material for the general public, this is essential to its success. The image is also a main focal point, and also considering the context of the front cover, the image will reinforce the quite poignant and emotional message. This is as well as sparking the reader’s opinions and debates on this issue. It is successful, which it needs to be to fit its purpose.

Another example I have collected is a poster, in which from first glance is the colour palette chosen, that draws you in. There is an image included which is retro type style with the contrast of the bold font and linear, and all the words are interlinked, that in graphical terms, is effective, however, it is difficult to read although the colour combination is good. But maybe the main aim of this piece is the visual aspect, not necessarily the legible area.

This applies to visual communication by realising who you are targeting your work at, as this will determine how your approach will be to create the best piece of work for that audience.   

Visual hierarchy

References: Toxel.com, http://designsitesup.com/images/promotional_ads___best_advertisements/best_printed_ads_-_effective_magazine___newspaper_ads/gunssouthafrica.jpg, frillr.com.

When you look at a newspaper, what do you see first? Is that what the editor wanted you to see first? Where do you put the key info? Many things to consider are line, colour type, composition and scale. Even shops and supermarkets are using this theory to make sales.

This image I have researched is a magazine cover from Vibe magazine, which contains information on urban music, fashion and gadgets. The first parts of the magazine I noticed first was the title- big black bold lettering, as well as the images of the celebrity featured in the magazine to focus on the main item. A lot of texts in various colours are used here also; they are a balance to the grey and plain background.  The format is very central, so there is more emphasis on the image.

This next image is hard hitting, for a campaign against wearing a seatbelt. The person featured in the image is being manipulated and created into a crash dummy, which is quite disturbing, but very effective in its result. Of course the image is most important, as it makes the whole piece effective and successful.  The lettering, seen quite small, but big enough to read is black, an obvious choice of contrast against the white background, and it is striking and clear to read.  

This applies to visual communication by knowing and understanding what is most essential to the certain piece of work, and also how to catch the audiences’ eye.