Rough feedback

Today we had a 'speed dating' crit, which meant I was able to talk to a few different people about my ideas for my visual outcome, as well as see what direction they were heading in.

I was worried about this crit, as due to my heavy workload for the last module, I didn't have much visual roughs for this session, which I feel was reflected in the feedback I got.

I found it extremely helpful to bounce ideas off individuals, and throughout the three people I spoke to, my idea definitely evolved a lot.

What was discussed/raised:

- Prefer the more abstract ideas work to show process and resolution of ideas rather than singular ideas
- Prefer the more shape driven, pattern based ideas, as they feel more 'me'
- Could I use process imagery to show personal? E.g. repetition of drawing puppy
- Like the humour of the suffix 'er' to create a profession out of trivial tasks which make up my personal life
- Idea of using screenprint would work well, as this is a big reflection of my emerging practice
- Are there ways I could make my written diagram visual?
- Maybe ideas are too domesticated, need to let my hair down more with this project- I'm organised and precise, but that's not all that makes me- what makes me fun!!!

What I will do on reflection:

- I think the comments on what makes me me more than just my practice are really important. My personal life has a huge impact on the way I create work and I want to put this into my final poster
- Rough more! How can I show aspects of my personal life in a still abstract way?
- What are the FUN things about me? I always want to put more humour and light-heartedness into my work- how does this manifest itself?
- Work towards a final design for digital printing on Wednesday
- Continue work on slideshow presentation

After this I briefly spoke to Jamie, and through discussing my ideas, I decided I would use the selected parts (such as repetition, line etc) to show what is important in my life (puppy owner, cup of tea maker etc) in a visual layout of my practice and life

We also were asked to say 'what our work was about', which is something I'd never really put into words before, but after discussing it with a peer I began to realise what I want to work towards:
I like to design illustrations which work to illustrate a point, story or idea, perhaps within editorial illustrations or book illustrations.

I also found these illustrators really inspirational, the last two I looked at during OUIL406, but think they are relevant here too.

Ian Whadcock:

His work was shown to us during the briefing, and I just love the crisp balance of colour and negative space, and how striking his compositions can be. I feel like this dynamic work is really something which I would like to aim towards more in my practice, at least for the moment whilst I investigate what illustration is to me.

I also really like the simple three colours used, which is something I would like to explore more in my prints, expanding on what I worked on with OUIL401.

Marcus Walters:

I previously looked at Walters work, and I think the messy cut shapes were really inspirational to me whilst developing roughs, as I found his simple, tentative decisions on component placement made his work feel like it was telling a story, whilst not being too obvious what it is, which is really something I want my illustrated self poster to do.

I also think the addition of small lines next to the larger shapes helps to somehow create a more handmade feel, whilst still giving more order to the work, which is something that really strikes me as a 'me' trait.