Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Friday, 3 June 2011
Evaluation
The Final Major project has been a steady learning curve for me and has pushed myself to develop a design practice in unexpected ways.
At the beginning of the module, it felt like a slow start, I felt perhaps unsure of my work and how to approach the briefs, but soon after refining my contextual research and picking up the pace of my design practice I started to become more focused and enjoy it.
I think my strengths became apparent upon answering the Mogwai brief, exploring and experimenting with the possibilities of Photoshop, which I developed on and used to a confidant level in all the other briefs. Producing a piece of work that I liked boosted my motivation and confidence in my design practice. I think it was this that coursed my professionalism and standard of work produced to improve a grate deal after, such as in the ISTD and Adult book covers briefs.
To show that my design practice and illustration style can be versatile. I chose to answer a variety of different briefs for different target audiences, but all tied together with a focus on portraying an image and narrative. The briefs i chose to do this where; book cover design for two different target audiences, promotional/branding for a band, poster promotion for a film, Image as type that developed into product design. These allowed me to create a selection of designs and outcomes, very different in style and method but still illustration based and I am happy with some of the outcomes I have created. I feel throughout this FMP I have allowed myself to develop my own personal ways of working with illustration and accept using different stylistic approaches for different briefs to produce the most suitable outcomes.
Looking back at my work and seeing how I have progressed has given me confidence and the drive to do more and better work. I feel I now have a series of pieces and outcomes that will add towards my portfolio, displaying me as an illustrator/designer, but an applied illustrator who can work to many different types of briefs in a manner of different styles and techniques.
Unfortunately the outcome of the design context publication I feel does not reflect how much I have gained from researching and speaking to other designers. By reading and learning about their design practice I think has improved my skills and knowledge of the industry which is starting to reflect in my own work. Particularly in the penguin book cover brief.
Blogging regularly has helped keep myself organized and see the progression of my work I have been consistent particularly with the design context.
My biggest weakness was the lack of decision making about the design directions of each brief up until April. It was time pressure that coursed me to finally pick and stick to design solutions for each brief. Although type layout and photography are not my main strengths I am very aware they are needed to be a graphic designer as I have used them in every brief. I am using them more and in doing so I feel more confidant, particularly with photography, which I have come to find can create new possibilities in my work.
Looking back this module has helped me see my strengths and highlight what areas I still need to improve. It has helped me become more confident in my design skills, which I'm happier with now since my lack of confidence in my design practice I feel has held me back.
I feel I have pushed my designs and worked well towards the end of this module, and the course and finally feel more confident in my design abilities and how my design practice may be applied in a commercial industry.
At the beginning of the module, it felt like a slow start, I felt perhaps unsure of my work and how to approach the briefs, but soon after refining my contextual research and picking up the pace of my design practice I started to become more focused and enjoy it.
I think my strengths became apparent upon answering the Mogwai brief, exploring and experimenting with the possibilities of Photoshop, which I developed on and used to a confidant level in all the other briefs. Producing a piece of work that I liked boosted my motivation and confidence in my design practice. I think it was this that coursed my professionalism and standard of work produced to improve a grate deal after, such as in the ISTD and Adult book covers briefs.
To show that my design practice and illustration style can be versatile. I chose to answer a variety of different briefs for different target audiences, but all tied together with a focus on portraying an image and narrative. The briefs i chose to do this where; book cover design for two different target audiences, promotional/branding for a band, poster promotion for a film, Image as type that developed into product design. These allowed me to create a selection of designs and outcomes, very different in style and method but still illustration based and I am happy with some of the outcomes I have created. I feel throughout this FMP I have allowed myself to develop my own personal ways of working with illustration and accept using different stylistic approaches for different briefs to produce the most suitable outcomes.
Looking back at my work and seeing how I have progressed has given me confidence and the drive to do more and better work. I feel I now have a series of pieces and outcomes that will add towards my portfolio, displaying me as an illustrator/designer, but an applied illustrator who can work to many different types of briefs in a manner of different styles and techniques.
Unfortunately the outcome of the design context publication I feel does not reflect how much I have gained from researching and speaking to other designers. By reading and learning about their design practice I think has improved my skills and knowledge of the industry which is starting to reflect in my own work. Particularly in the penguin book cover brief.
Blogging regularly has helped keep myself organized and see the progression of my work I have been consistent particularly with the design context.
My biggest weakness was the lack of decision making about the design directions of each brief up until April. It was time pressure that coursed me to finally pick and stick to design solutions for each brief. Although type layout and photography are not my main strengths I am very aware they are needed to be a graphic designer as I have used them in every brief. I am using them more and in doing so I feel more confidant, particularly with photography, which I have come to find can create new possibilities in my work.
Looking back this module has helped me see my strengths and highlight what areas I still need to improve. It has helped me become more confident in my design skills, which I'm happier with now since my lack of confidence in my design practice I feel has held me back.
I feel I have pushed my designs and worked well towards the end of this module, and the course and finally feel more confident in my design abilities and how my design practice may be applied in a commercial industry.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Website
Almost completed the website, but due to service restrictions I haven't been able to design it how I wanted, such as including a logo or branding. Just a very basic set up.
However the site does show some of my work and holds my contact details which is the main thing. I also think is quite easy to navigate through which is a plus too.
Link www.pearlsinger.com
However the site does show some of my work and holds my contact details which is the main thing. I also think is quite easy to navigate through which is a plus too.
Link www.pearlsinger.com
Monday, 30 May 2011
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Q and A
Hi Pearl
Sorry that took longer than I expected. As you guessed I ended up being pretty busy with work.
Below are the answers, hope they help, sorry if they are incoherent rubbish.
1. How would you describe yourself in three words?
I wouldn’t know how to describe myself other than short, dark, Welsh.
That sounds really boring.
2. How would you describe your work in three words?
Nostalgic, digital, fantastical
3. As a designer what do you specialize in?
Storyboarding and character design for advertising, animation and publishing.
4. Where does your inspiration come from? who/what are you inspired by?
Memories of being blown away by things as a child! I think I’m trying to recapture that ‘sensofwundah’.
Movie posters (work by people like Bob Peak and Tommy Jung ), Book covers.
Commercial artists of the past J. C Leyendecker, Haddon Sundblom, Dean Cornwell. Artists whose work itself tries to capture this lost past – Steve Rude, Alec Severin, Gary Gianni.
Asking ‘What if?’ Usually this means what if I take two incongruous subjects or styles and meld them. What if we took this usually high brow subject and rendered it in a pulpy low brow way? What if we take this Saturday morning kids TV cartoon character and render it as if it was a subject of Reubens.
But also just musing on ‘What if’ scenarios like What if Rome had never fallen, or What if modern technology suddenly landed in the ancient world, I find leads to some interesting often surreal imagery.
5. What agencies have you worked for in the past?
Leo Burnett, Tro, Roughcut TV.
6. Is there anything you would suggest I do to really get my foot in the doorway to becoming a graphic designer/ illustrator?
Probably asking the wrong person with this one as my foot is pretty numb from being jammed somewhere between the door and the lintel for so long. I wouldn’t say I’ve really progressed very far into the hallway yet, but I’ve had a peek and it looks quite nice.
I suppose perseverance is key, and not being afraid to ask to be let in, in the first place.
If you do get a break then the best bit of advice I’ve ever been given is “Just don’t be an arsehole”. I think the point the person was trying to make was that most of the time it doesn’t really matter how good you are at what you do but how well you treat people (the client). If the client had a pleasant experience dealing with you they are likely to want to deal with you again.
7. In what context is your work mainly used for?
It’s normally not used as an end in itself, but in communicating or selling an idea to someone else. Visuallising for others I suppose. Storyboarding for instance sells the vision of a director to possible financers or communicates it to crew members. The visuals I create for marketing clients help them communicate their ideas to their clients.
Recently I’ve been asked to do more traditional illustration work for publishing, but this has been fairly rare until now.
8. Finally are there any quotes you live by?
Not really. Sorry.
I took a look at your work, and its great, very cool, especially liking the wolf t shirt. I don't think you should have any worries about getting ahead in design and illustration.
Hope your final year is a triumph!
All the best
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