Study Task 3- Content

Looking at the content of illustrations, I wanted to explore character within designs, as I feel this is the strongest and most immediate way of adding interesting content to an illustration.

I chose these images because I felt they all had a strong sense of character and action, as even after only a slight glance they already begin to tell a story. I think this process of putting a lot of content into one static image is a very important skill for an illustrator to possess, and is definitely something I would like to develop more throughout the next three years. 

Lizzie Mackey

Mackey uses simple shapes and line to convey a very strong character which evokes a very poignant, charmful character. She also carefully considers the balance of background information with the central position of the bear to ensure that he is firmly in the scene, which gives him some credibility of existence, which makes it easier for the audience to believe in him.

Picomodo

Similarly to Mackey, Picomodo uses simple shape to create a character which is full of charm. He also combines emotion and a secondary object to create a narrative within the frame, which helps to add personality and liveliness to the piece. He also creates a strong contrast between the simple moose shapes and the complicated string tangle, which again highlights the quiet nature of the character.

Tina Suida

This piece by Suida is quite different from the other two, as the interactive yet simple book illustrates an unknown character in a very ordinary situation of getting changed. I like how the soft pick highlights just how rough the figure is, and the fragile line is used to create such a harsh, manly figure. It is this balance, I feel which makes such a strong, connectable character without even showing his face. I also feel that fact that the audience must engage with the book ensures that a relationship is built between the reader and the character.