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.

ITAP Lecture- Week 2

An understanding and knowledge of ‘an audience’ can enhance and focus the communication.

References: shelleyillustration.com

Audience is an integral part of an illustrators and designers work and success. In order to gain more success and trust from their chosen audience, they need to explore and really understand the needs of the audience. Experiment, get into the mindset of what it is they are looking for, as well as what is current, and your own style to “freshen” and “revitalise” an idea.

An example of this is illustrator John Shelley, who does children’s illustration most famously, and also character designs.  He prefers to produce hand rendered work, using pen and ink rather than digital which he tries to avoid. 

As well as this, his aim is to keep his images strong and memorable, which is vital to maintain attention and interest from a younger audience. Shelley’s work is detailed and full of character, as he liked to look at children’s novels and fantasy, which would suggest that a more “innocent and gentle” approach is being used for children . His detailed work is very complex in some ways that is original.

Most definitely the audience can specify what your style is suitable and what is appropriate, which is why John Shelley’s work really has the children at the forefront of the ideas and final outcome.

The notion of ‘inspiration’ derives from constant inquiry, based on research,

observation, recording and experimentation.

references: shaundoyle.co.uk, illustrophile.com

When an illustrator has an idea, they need something to help push it forward, and this can be in the form of experimenting with colour, texture, and media. But an important aspect is that of inspiration, and this could be from fellow illustrators and designers, as well as collecting items to use, for example flyers, leaflets, and other media.

Practically every illustrator applies some form of inspiration is used in their work, as it is a good way to improve and define their skills.

Through research, I have discovered illustrator Shaun Doyle, who creates hand drawings and computer work combined to create very textured work that’s very effective, which is broad and can be applied to all different areas of design.

I emailed Shaun Doyle to gain more information on his work and thought process, and gratefully he replied, saying;
“1. Experiences/events I hear about in which I think there is a great in image in there somewhere.
2. Vintage decorative type - I just think it’s great. Especially the type used on 1920's-50s products, food cans etc. I also love the textures created when the products have aged.
3. A little bit of music - not necessarily anything in particular but what I have playing at the time may affect the way in which an image develops.”

From actually hearing something from a real professional illustrator, it confirms that almost anything can create inspiration for an illustrator or designer, from all different walks of life, which enables us to see and understand their thoughts and passions in life.  

Critical commentary

Critical commentary- ITAP lecture week 1

Two of the five key principles;

Notions of originality

References- listicles.thelmagazine.com,
Gordon-ramsay.gemzies.com, griseldaonline.it, downwrite.net, amazon.com, greatmodernpictures.com, blogs.sundaymecury.net.

People using others ideas making it their own, but is the person that we first saw the idea from, was it original then?? Maybe not. A large number of contemporary artists today have ideas that have been originated from someone else but making it to your own style and personality, are that classed as originality? That comes down to everyone's personal opinion.

The basic jist of this is that in more obvious visual terms, you cannot be completely original. However, the meaning and context of the image is always different, and this aspect really makes each art piece varied.



Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper"

Concentrating on "The Last Supper" painting, such an iconic artwork was done famously by Leonardo Da Vinci. Incredibly detailed, with many stories and relations in different areas for this artwork, it has really captures the time and the style in which this was designed. Throughout hundreds of years, there have been many many versions of the last supper being created.   



Andy Warhol



Media and celebrities have involved themselves in this "last supper" style. This is to, in some ways modernise, bring it up to date with everybody, and especially the younger generations, who some may not know about this era of time. However, it could be construed in some ways that they are mocking.

People like Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol (picture right), have incorporated brand names to modernise this very traditional image. As well as this, there is significance to each brand mentioned. For example, the Dove logo symbolises the Holy Spirit, and the other brands represent the other holy symbols.

And even Gordon Ramsay has used influences from the painting, (below) with himself being "haloed by a flying brie". Inventive.

Gordon Ramsay TV promotion



Below is the underwater last supper from photographer Howard Schatz, whose composition and style has brought a very modern and futuristic element to the concept.


Howard Schatz





All of these images bring a new and interesting dimension, and wouldn't have been as effective without the "original" idea of Da Vinci. 









Critical Commentary for ITAP lecture- week 1

Bricolage and its use in contemporary culture

References- Wikipedia, loveandthrift.com, firewhenreadypottery.com, chgs.umn.edu, current.com, chrisdignam.com, kenflett.com.

When I first heard the word bricolage, I instantly thought of collage, and now I have researched and understood the meaning, it fits together well with my initial reaction.

It is something that can be just combined together to create a random artwork in terms of its materials, but the meaning and thought process behind it is what makes it more significant and important to the piece.

Bricolage is a discipline use in the arts to create and construct a piece of work from materials that are at an easy access to you. It originates from the French to “tinker, fiddle”, with the more extended meaning of “to make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are at hand (regardless of their original purpose) “

It’s another version of recycling in a way really.

Clara Vuletich is from love and thrift, who have done a bricolage project with some fellow designers and creative minds. 


Clara Vuletich's work



With a project like this, you feel a sense of community and partnership, people coming together, combining all their passion and skills to create a definite original article.

A particular artist that uses bricolage as their main focus for creative their work is Ken Flett, whose work initially starts off with photographs- adding a personal element, and also treasured and interesting items he has kept for a sole purpose in creating his very expressive pieces.


Ken Flett




Ken Flett




Referring to a earlier point, in regards to its purpose in contemporary culture, the issue of recycling, climate change, being more “green” and “eco-friendly” are at the forefront of our society, and bricolage is showing us that although it is not necessarily solving this serious issue, it is creating a fun alternative, and in a way showing a different attitude towards recycling and reusing.