Broadly speaking the primary
purpose I see for extended practice is to build a portfolio, which upon
graduation will help me best promote myself to the creative industries that
most interest me. As it stands currently I am interested in 3 main contexts of
illustration: editorial, adult publishing and illustrative products.
My context of practice
project aims to improve the visual aesthetics of my practice, therefore I think
that in this module I should focus on both the content and possible contexts
for my work. The two modules will then hopefully feed into each other to form a
more directed personal and professional practice.
I would like to capitalise
on my ability to think conceptually, and form images based on symbolism or
visual metaphor to tackle complex subjects. Personally I am most interested in
either environmental or social issues. This will guide the texts or articles I
choose to illustrate for either editorial or publishing purposes.
To approach such subject
matter, I will have to do in-depth research so that I can convey the key issues
at hand in an appropriate and considered manner. Editorial and adult publishing
are both highly audience-centric forms of illustration. I would like to use
such briefs to develop my skills in condensing complex subjects into simple and
direct images that will captivate a viewer’s attention.
I would like to produce
images that are well crafted and have a feel of the handmade – personally
favouring the result of print processes such as screen-print, mixed-media
collage or gouache painting. To do this I see it necessary to invest a good
amount of time into producing the final outcomes for each brief; however also
see it important to develop a more systematic and instinctive method of process
that will better suit contexts such as editorial, in which there can often be a very quick turn around.
While I still have access to
college facilities, I would also like to take the opportunity to be more
experimental in my practice – using the print, as well as even the woodwork and
ceramic workshops. As most of my chosen briefs for editorial or publishing will
be very content and research driven, I would like to leave myself some room for
non-cognitive image-making. This could lead to producing some illustrative
products, prints or zines.
To document my progress I
think I will find it most useful to leave my initial ideas,
thumbnailing and practical development within my sketchbook. The blog I see mainly
as a place for key points of reflection and evaluation both during and at the
end of each brief. I also like to use it as a point of reference for
contextual research.
I think the most important
point with this module is to keep it fun and manageable. Doing things that I
enjoy will hopefully lead to a portfolio that reflects my interests, and
therefore generate work after graduation that does the same. For the purpose of
time-management I will prioritise competition-briefs that have more immediate
deadlines, but I also think it will be essential to set regular goals within
personally-led briefs so that there is an element of consistency in the
production of work.
