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.