My proposed Subjects/Themes:
Digital vs Analogue Media
Is society bored of the digital age?
Does the use of digital media effect the development of a "style"?
How important is having a "style", as an illustrator in todays society?
Does the use of digital media devalue illustrative work?
How can an artist stand out in a world of digital capable creatives?
The end of illustration?
Why are students in the creative arts currently so intrigued by old technologies?
"The invention of Photoshop is far more threatening than any technological advance in the history of Illustration."
"The alchemy of the analogue is more unpredictable, and therefore more alluring."
Feedback:
Your proposal is still quite broad and needs further investigation to narrow it down. There does seem to be some emerging key areas.
- My first key point is that you have mentioned ‘style’ a number of times, this is an important factor in your argument but needs to be kept distinctly within the remit of the question about the technological developments in production and distribution impact on Illustration. Be careful not to wander into the Aesthetics and style question.
- I think the two quotes you have singled out are interesting points to investigate or challenge. Is Photoshop truly destructive to illustration and is the allure of the analogue not a kind of elitism? Technological developments are accepted, celebrated and spurned over and over also new tech can become old tech quickly (consider printmaking – the alchemy of the analogue).
- What does it mean for the Illustrator today and where they position themselves?
- There are value and authenticity judgements being made on these practices and products, related to trends and developments or reactions against them. How much do these judgements really affect their reception by the general public for instance?
- There is certainly some useful texts within your proposal. You do need to really consider what angle you are tackling and also consider the practical side, how could this be investigated practically?
- Try to isolate examples, case studies, relevant illustrators, key texts / theorists.
From my feedback it is clear that I need a deeper focus on what I want to achieve, which is currently baffling me. I find the idea of elitism quite frustrating and old fashioned which is encouraging me to push my research in that area. The invention of digital processes like Photoshop, have created a clear divide in the creative community, as highlighted by the "Made You Look" documentary, and I need to look into existing attitudes towards this - If you can spend as much time on a digital piece(or longer) than a physical piece of artwork, why is it devalued? Is it a problem with the aesthetic of the work? or is that based on the context?
Action Plan - "Is photoshop truly destructive to illustration?"
- where do illustrators position themselves today? how do people interact with their work? what is their purpose? what makes a successful illustrator? how can you measure the success of an illustrator today?
- are there alot of digital illustrators today(statistics?), is their work contemporary? how is their work interpreted? what contexts do their work exist in?
- history of illustration, old professionals compared to current practitioners. how has technology advanced their work? has it pushed them to try more analogue methods in rebellion? Trends?
- different contexts of illustration? for commercial use? gallery based(unsure of term to describe this)?
- Is photoshop destructive to illustration? pros and cons of photoshop/digital work. Is "illustration" a term that is widely associated with craft and analogue media? is digital media perceived as a quick, easy shortcut in comparison to analogue techniques that take years to master?
- Is it easier to pick up digital skills than analogue? if so why don't more practitioners do it?
- Is it easier to pick up digital skills than analogue? if so why don't more practitioners do it?
