COP2: End Of Module Evaluation

Daniel Gilmartin

255740

OUIL501

Context Of Practice 2

Summative Evaluation

I found this years COP module to be once again really challenging, but more in terms of maintaining interest and momentum throughout the majority of the year.  I found all of the lectures this year really inspirational and felt a lot` more engaged with the topics. I gained my initial inspiration for my essay in the COP lecture about Identity and found the idea of cultural appropriation and the humour and irony that it often entails to be a really interesting topic, with loads of influential theorists. 

Prior to this, I really struggled with deciding on a theme for my essay. I began assessing my essay ideas against how much I'd enjoy responding to them visually, which I now appreciate was a mistake, and understand the importance of research and concepts driving my work. I feel that I chose my essay question quite late on in the year compared to everyone else, purely because of my lack of confidence in choosing a subject to stick with, which, at the time, made the seminars and study tasks really difficult to engage with. They helped me to develop more of an understanding of how to explore my theme visually however. Unfortunately, like last year I really struggled with the concept of speculative drawing, and found myself overthinking everything I was trying to draw - I feel that in the end it helped me slightly, and found that I gained alot more inspiration from talking to people, and discussions in seminars. This module has really made me think about identifying my genuine interests and passions, which is a definitely something I need to work on before third year.  

Once I had finally chosen a topic I felt passionately about, I found the research aspect really interesting, and started gathering and engaging with a variety of sources, which really helped to shape and drive my essay. I gained alot of insight in where to find sources and found some of the more unusual ones, for example youtube documentaries, alot more helpful. I also utilised the module resources in order to better my essay writing practice, which I feel definitely had a positive impact. In light of my essay, I'm quite confident that I was able to write a well rounded research paper, exploring numerous aspects relating to my theme. I feel that the initial study tasks really helped me get back into the swing of academic writing, and I'm also pleased that I was able to exercise my Harvard referencing skills again. 

Last year, the practical side of my COP submission was criticised for being too surface level, having not immersed myself enough into my chosen subject, which I completely agreed with. In light of that, my main focus this year was on choosing an aspect of my research and steering it away from my essay and developing it. When making the practical work, I had a huge concern that the subject matter was too closely related to my essay, which regrettably resulted in my practical and written work not achieving synthesis. I produced a lot of ideas for my practical work, which I feel I didn't explore thoroughly enough, mainly due to time management, which was a huge weakness in this module. I feel that my final practical work is effective in some ways, in terms of making images and communicating elements of my research. 

Overall this module has highlighted a few areas that I need to work on before I start my level 6 and my dissertation, including being decisive and sticking to something, and making your work interesting through researching it more. Also in terms of my practical presentation skills, I think there is a lot of room for improvement. I need to take a much more professional attitude to the way I ‘round off’ a project, including paying a lot more attention detail. Once again, time management was also a key factor which really tripped me up at certain times.

In order to prepare for level 6 and my dissertation, I really need to keep the momentum going that I’ve built up, and start thinking about research for my dissertation in a much more professional manner. I am now fully aware of how to use the Library resources, and I intend to make full use of them to benefit my ideas. I also would like to keep a sketchbook with me whenever I am researching, so I can keep the constant synthesised flow of information and images.

COP2: Part 2 - Final Book

COP2: Essay + Bibliography

COP3: Proposal Issuu

COP2: Final Book

This is my final outcome for COP2 Part 2, and the visual response to my chosen subject of Atmospherics, Psychogeography and Consumer Environments. I'm quite pleased with how my book turned out, and think that the images look really nice in print. I think that the use of the complimentary blue colour really payed off and makes my images quite striking, which Is interesting as it's quite a dull book. I'm glad that I made the decision to keep the sky a natural blue colour aswell, as I feel it illustrates the concept of the world being painted more effectively.

When naming the book, I wanted to reference the idea of colour palettes/swatch names, as if someone has chosen to see the Earth in a different shade - hinting that this could be part of a series of books in which the earth is painted different colours. 

When making the images, which I really enjoyed, I found using only different variations of one colour to be really challenging, in terms of making some aspects more defined than others. Although I feel my images are really effective, I think they could've been presented alot better. I also think that the physical design of the book is very disappointing, considering the amount of time I took thinking about and experimenting with different styles. However, due to time management and a quickly approaching deadline I chose what I was able to do. There are various weaknesses present within the book that I feel make it look quite unprofessional, including offset pages, and various texture marks on the white borders. Making this book has brought to light alot of issues, especially in printing, that I will be cautious about next time. 

Overall, I think my book reflects my concept quite well and that I have achieved atmosphere and an appealing textural quality in my images. 

COP2: Book Images Development

Idea + Concept

As explained previously, my intention for the book is to display various consumer environments around the world, that use colour as a key persuasive element. I want to explore all the environments that I have analysed in my essay, aswell as adding a few additional images to help complete the book.

Roughs

When drawing the roughs, I used alot of reference material, mostly found online. I didn't want to just copy the images directly though, and wanted to have my own personal twist, playing with perspective, shape and texture. Also colour had a massive impact on my drawings. 

Planning

There wasn't an awful amount of planning that went into my book, however I did struggle with choosing which order to put my content in. As the majority of places that I analysed are in America, I wanted to try and break them up, so that the book flowed easier. 

COP2: Final Book Idea

After numerous ideas and functions for my book, I decided that to demonstrate my understanding of my research, I would like to revert back to my initial idea of changing the colour/aesthetic of certain environments. Although I am concerned it is closely related to my essay, I am conscious that the deadline is quickly approaching and I haven't been successful in finding a better alternative. 

I intend to make a book that explores the aesthetics of a consumer environment. Colour plays a huge role in the decisions we make whilst consuming, and generates a spectrum of emotions. I intend to explore what would happen if these colours weren't present.  My book will be called "If the world was painted brown" and will contain a set of images of consumer environments that look intensely dull, making the viewer question their day to day lives and the consumer choices that they make. 

I have chosen the colour brown because research suggests that it embodies the opposite of excitement. It is believed by many to be dull and boring, which in the setting of consumer environment, completely challenges the idea of colour being used. 

I am intending to use the colour 'Raw umber' in my images, as it is a mixture between grey and brown - the dullest most natural colour. I really like how pretentious the name of the colour sounds, and is something that I would like to explore to perhaps add an element of humour to my book. 

COP2: Part 2 - Struggle

My thoughts so far

Book ideas 
- 10 facts about the psychology of shopping
- how not to overshop
- colour theory of products / shapes of products (different shapes)
- pop up architecture?
- Interactive book?
- Marketing methods
- Book to take into a shop with you
- Future / APP?
- making fun of commercial packaging?
- Build your own shop
- Atmospherics of a book translated into image?

I'm really struggling to find a way to reflect my concept through the content of my book (not sure if i'm being over critical but I don't want to use any of these ideas). I really want to include an element of manipulating the reader as they view the book, which I have completely exhausted my ideas for. So I felt this was the next logical step; getting all my ideas down on paper. 

"without colour what is a place? Take away the manipulative elements and you're just left with plastic shit"

COP2: Peer Feedback

COP2: COP3 Proposal Research - Study Task 5

Question 4: To what extent do Technological developments in production and distribution impact on Illustration?

My thoughts

I'm really interested in this topic as a starting point for my COP3 module. As a student of illustration, I find myself drawn more and more to the digital side of making pictures. I have always had a certain worry, that although I feel I am technically more capable using digital media, the fact that my work only exists on a scene  is devaluing my efforts. Why is authenticity such a valued element in upcoming contemporary work? Is society bored of the digital age and yearning for an element in artwork that has been carefully considered and hand crafted? Does this give an image more value as opposed to using digital brushes? 

How can you stand out from the masses as a creative, if photoshop is so easy to use?

If you're not making illustration in a surreal/stylized way, why not just use a photograph? 

Kyle T Webster - Pioneer of photoshop brushes that mirror the aesthetic of physical mediums, why get your hands dirty?  

Made You Look documentary - A Film about creativity in the digital age. 
Drew Millward - digital artist, who uses practical methods to produce prints. 

The End Of Illustration? - Illustrator's Partnership

http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00073

- "Digital media, and specifically the PhotoShop extension, has had a profound influence on the way that art directors and designers currently view illustration. Once graphic designers depended on the rendering skills and conceptual acuity of illustrators. Now they can assemble ersatz illustration-collages by themselves."

- "Since finished art can be bought straight from an online catalog as easily as a video tape or fruit basket, young art directors and designers do not develop creative relationships with illustrators."

Normal Rockwell & Wallace Polsom, Ersatz Surrealism

- "Invention of Photoshop is far more threatening than any technological advance in history of illustration." 

- "Illustration evolved from what-you-see-is-what-you-get to conceptual because the issues and themes covered in magazines were becoming more complex, more critical."

- "Conceptual illustration served two purposes: It provided meaning—and commentary— and gave a publication its visual personality."

- "owing to digital media and other design issues, illustration is in a state of flux that could dip or rise"

Article that highlights 

Interview with Kyle T Webster - businessofillustration.com

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like you work almost 100% digital now (with your amazing brushes, of course). What was that transition like? What made you do the complete switch? Do you have a fancy Cintiq?

I have always worked 100% digitally ever since I got my first freelance job in 2003. Back then, I drew in Flash (before its drawing engine was ruined) and colored in Photoshop. I worked on a 4×5 Wacom Graphire tablet for about five years and then bought a used 6×8 Intuos 4. In 2012, I bought a Cintiq 24HD and I love it a little too much. I look forward to going to work just so I can draw on that thing, even if I don’t have any assignments.

Kyle T Webster - Lobby Boy and Digital Brushes Ad

Would the use of digital media effect the development of a "style"? Kyle states that he has always worked digitally, and his work utilises a whole range of stylistic approaches. Does the focus on choice of media, drive the style/content?

How Important is having a "style" as an Illustrator, in today's society?

Kyle T Webster - Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AHaFDRJF3k

Pokes fun at contemporary designers that take themselves too seriously - youtube rap video

https://illustrationage.com/2016/01/22/the-style-problem-for-artists-by-kyle-t-webster/

The Lo-Fi Phenomenon

http://futureplaces.org/essays/the-lo-fi-phenomenon-analogue-versus-digital-in-the-creative-process/

http://darkdesigngraphics.co.uk/inspiration/digital-illustration-vs-traditional-media/

COP2: Colour + Shape Theory

I felt that looking into elements such as shape and colour would be really beneficial to my book, thinking of ways I can respond to them visually. I am also researching it for my essay, so this could be an interesting new direction for my ideas. Colour and shape each have their own psychological effects and each generate a different emotion and interpretation (research suggests). These principals are used alot in logo design and branding, because of how research suggests that consumers base their buying decisions ultimately on how a product looks. 

In terms of colour and how it is used, it is completely subjective to the context it is used within, for example brown can be fashionable in clothing, yet on a cereal box it would be dull. In terms of environments like disneyland where colour is used so heavily, dull colours like grey brown and black would have a completely different effect - would it lose the magic? the environment? ofcourse it would.

Here I explored the idea of focusing on colours and their importance in creating an effective consumer environment, and perhaps subverting them? For example, would disneyland have the same effect if it's architecture was painted with different colours? I looked into certain places (that I have analysed) that use colour to generate excitement and manipulated photographs in photoshop.

Photoshop manipulation, changing the colour

of Disney's castle + Las Vegas' Aesthetic.

- Colour brown considered dull, boring and unexciting by many. 

- Sharp angles are considered aggressive. 

***Possible idea for book*** 

places in different colours?

if the world was painted brown?

subvert the techniques of consumer environments. (Make them look shit)

 Shades of brown

Interpretations of brown: dull, boring, frugal, materialistic, lack of humor, lack of sophistication, predictable, cheap and stingy.

COP2: Book Design

Book Mockups

I wanted to experiment with the function of my book. My intention is to create a book that manipulates you physically or maintains some form of interaction, other than just aesthetic. In a group critique I was given the idea of making a circle book, based on the idea of appealing shapes, which could inform my content a bit more?

The use of a circle would also display an image really interestingly, and the roundess (if displaying a landscape) would give an almost panoramic effect - make the viewer engaged with an environment?

Upon cutting out the circle shape, I was left with a unique looking book that looked like a pair of glasses. I liked the way it almost made you want to hold up the book and look through it, analyse your surroundings - could be a really interesting idea. 

- I feel that these are both interesting ideas, yet when it comes down to making it I don't think that technical factors would allow it to be made easily? it would need to be laser cut in order to achieve perfect circle etc. I don't think these ideas leave much room for actual images either, as the form of the book is almost an image in itself, and I'd like to explore imagery alot more.