I'm good! But knackered at the same time as this month has literally been full speed ahead! I've noticed that as each month goes by I am becoming more and more enthusiastic about the work I am doing, as well as feeling great in myself :)
What am I proud of?
I'm super proud of the work I have produced for responsive, which did end up being sort of crammed into a shorter space of time than I had anticipated, yet I was so pleased with the outcomes I have produced so far. I definitely think that this has been my favourite module so far in second year, partly because having the feeling of our work being submitted to compete with other illustrators feels so much more valuable in comparison to last year with us just posting on a blog (that wasn't a passive aggressive dig by the way). It also feels like I have made a lot of progress, as I am trying out new things that I haven't done before, like illustrating within a book jacket format; previously I would have been quite worried about the whole process about it having to be too 'perfect', but having the pressure of the deadline forced me to throw myself in at the deep end and just go for it, which has been successful!
My favourite pieces of work that I have produced definitely have to be my book covers. Admittedly I rushed the two adult covers as I spent WAY too much time on Emil and the Detectives, but I think this really paid off. I used an interesting approach to the brief by illustrating an evidence board, with the use of bright and eye-catching colours that will potentially attract children's attention.
I also think the concepts are pretty strong with A Clockwork Orange and How to be a Woman, although they are much more simplistic and more open to interpretation.
I'm super proud of the work I have produced for responsive, which did end up being sort of crammed into a shorter space of time than I had anticipated, yet I was so pleased with the outcomes I have produced so far. I definitely think that this has been my favourite module so far in second year, partly because having the feeling of our work being submitted to compete with other illustrators feels so much more valuable in comparison to last year with us just posting on a blog (that wasn't a passive aggressive dig by the way). It also feels like I have made a lot of progress, as I am trying out new things that I haven't done before, like illustrating within a book jacket format; previously I would have been quite worried about the whole process about it having to be too 'perfect', but having the pressure of the deadline forced me to throw myself in at the deep end and just go for it, which has been successful!
My favourite pieces of work that I have produced definitely have to be my book covers. Admittedly I rushed the two adult covers as I spent WAY too much time on Emil and the Detectives, but I think this really paid off. I used an interesting approach to the brief by illustrating an evidence board, with the use of bright and eye-catching colours that will potentially attract children's attention.
I also think the concepts are pretty strong with A Clockwork Orange and How to be a Woman, although they are much more simplistic and more open to interpretation.
What am I struggling with?
The two things that are stressing me out quite a bit at the minute are PPP and 505. I know a lot of people are in the same boat with 505, having had to prioritise responsive with all of the deadlines being around the same time, but also I feel like I've been going around in circles a bit with it. Luckily in the most recent crit, I gained some really good guidance about where I should take the project. One of my group members suggested that I make a self care pack instead of a workshop pack, which makes a lot more sense and would be a lot less complicated than trying to write a whole workshop plan! Therefore I could focus on the illustrative aspects in more detail rather than worrying about whether what I would be teaching would fit into the curriculum or not.
Having to do a module on creative presence in PPP is so difficult. I have no idea how I want to present myself via business cards and other professional documents, and I always get really flustered when I have to talk about my own practice and what my interests are. It doesn't help either that I've only just got back on my feet from feeling like a zombie for ages, so a lot of my focus has been on helping myself to feel better, therefore I have no idea what I'm really interested in which is SO annoying/frustrating. Although I have to remember that this is only the second year I've been fully focused on illustration, and I am STILL learning, so things don't have to be perfect. The fact that the creative CV, business card etc are documents in progress, means that they can develop as I develop my practice. So I think the best thing for me would be to start fairly simple and gradually build on the content and aesthetic in correlation with my creative practice in general.
Other relevant things to mention
I feel a bit better about COP now (finally!) having had some really helpful essay feedback from Richard and peer reviews about my ~lack of~ practical work. I hands down admit that I haven't prioritised COP as much as I should have, but now that I have clearer sense of direction as to where the project could take me, I feel a lot more enthusiastic and productive about it.
As well, I'm really chuffed at how well our responsive collaborative project went! Rowan, Tom, Amber and I worked really well together on our 'Eden' gender neutral cosmetics project, and the outcomes look really professional. It's been so interesting working with graphic designers and viewing the similar and different ways that they work to us. I do feel really luckily that our group got on so well, and that we worked hard but were laid back and realistic about the work we could produce. It's always pretty difficult to collaborate with other creatives, especially when you have big characters with big ideas in your group, or people that you just don't get on with no matter how hard you try, but as the four of us were really driven, and pretty much on the same wave-length, we succeeded!
One final thing; I'm actually starting to feel excited about my future career as an illustrator as opposed to absolutely dreading it! The AOI talk was SUCH a huge confidence boost, and eliminated my negative preconceptions about finishing UNI and having to go back and live with my Mum in my depressing home-town and drawing pictures in my tiny box bedroom. Because that might not happen! And if it does, then it isn't the end of the world because you have to start somewhere, and besides, 'you shape your own career'; so knowing that going back home and being trapped in a town swarming with small minded chavs and pregnant teenagers is the last thing I want to do, I will work harder in order to open up more options for myself.
I wrote a blog post about my teaching experiences, but this has also really boosted my confidence; I never thought I'd be able to teach a whole class of six year olds by myself, or even go down to London and take part in a course by myself either. The fact that I'm becoming more confident in myself, saying yes to opportunities that I am given is both reflecting in my both my mindset and my work which is so much of an improvement! As well, I'm not limiting myself as much with things, thinking that I am not good enough with the fear of being rejected. For example, I applied for a summer job teaching art workshops for the national citizens service, but was unsuccessful due to lack of experience with working with vulnerable people. Normally I would have taken this completely to heart and thought that I'd never have the confidence to apply again because I wouldn't want to be rejected for a second time. But I just kind of gave myself a pat on the back for putting myself out there, and that I could try again another time. IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD AND THERE ARE PLENTY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE KINDS OF EXPERIENCES.
The two things that are stressing me out quite a bit at the minute are PPP and 505. I know a lot of people are in the same boat with 505, having had to prioritise responsive with all of the deadlines being around the same time, but also I feel like I've been going around in circles a bit with it. Luckily in the most recent crit, I gained some really good guidance about where I should take the project. One of my group members suggested that I make a self care pack instead of a workshop pack, which makes a lot more sense and would be a lot less complicated than trying to write a whole workshop plan! Therefore I could focus on the illustrative aspects in more detail rather than worrying about whether what I would be teaching would fit into the curriculum or not.
Having to do a module on creative presence in PPP is so difficult. I have no idea how I want to present myself via business cards and other professional documents, and I always get really flustered when I have to talk about my own practice and what my interests are. It doesn't help either that I've only just got back on my feet from feeling like a zombie for ages, so a lot of my focus has been on helping myself to feel better, therefore I have no idea what I'm really interested in which is SO annoying/frustrating. Although I have to remember that this is only the second year I've been fully focused on illustration, and I am STILL learning, so things don't have to be perfect. The fact that the creative CV, business card etc are documents in progress, means that they can develop as I develop my practice. So I think the best thing for me would be to start fairly simple and gradually build on the content and aesthetic in correlation with my creative practice in general.
Other relevant things to mention
I feel a bit better about COP now (finally!) having had some really helpful essay feedback from Richard and peer reviews about my ~lack of~ practical work. I hands down admit that I haven't prioritised COP as much as I should have, but now that I have clearer sense of direction as to where the project could take me, I feel a lot more enthusiastic and productive about it.
As well, I'm really chuffed at how well our responsive collaborative project went! Rowan, Tom, Amber and I worked really well together on our 'Eden' gender neutral cosmetics project, and the outcomes look really professional. It's been so interesting working with graphic designers and viewing the similar and different ways that they work to us. I do feel really luckily that our group got on so well, and that we worked hard but were laid back and realistic about the work we could produce. It's always pretty difficult to collaborate with other creatives, especially when you have big characters with big ideas in your group, or people that you just don't get on with no matter how hard you try, but as the four of us were really driven, and pretty much on the same wave-length, we succeeded!
One final thing; I'm actually starting to feel excited about my future career as an illustrator as opposed to absolutely dreading it! The AOI talk was SUCH a huge confidence boost, and eliminated my negative preconceptions about finishing UNI and having to go back and live with my Mum in my depressing home-town and drawing pictures in my tiny box bedroom. Because that might not happen! And if it does, then it isn't the end of the world because you have to start somewhere, and besides, 'you shape your own career'; so knowing that going back home and being trapped in a town swarming with small minded chavs and pregnant teenagers is the last thing I want to do, I will work harder in order to open up more options for myself.
I wrote a blog post about my teaching experiences, but this has also really boosted my confidence; I never thought I'd be able to teach a whole class of six year olds by myself, or even go down to London and take part in a course by myself either. The fact that I'm becoming more confident in myself, saying yes to opportunities that I am given is both reflecting in my both my mindset and my work which is so much of an improvement! As well, I'm not limiting myself as much with things, thinking that I am not good enough with the fear of being rejected. For example, I applied for a summer job teaching art workshops for the national citizens service, but was unsuccessful due to lack of experience with working with vulnerable people. Normally I would have taken this completely to heart and thought that I'd never have the confidence to apply again because I wouldn't want to be rejected for a second time. But I just kind of gave myself a pat on the back for putting myself out there, and that I could try again another time. IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD AND THERE ARE PLENTY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE KINDS OF EXPERIENCES.
Upcoming Events/Opportunities/Deadlines
- I really wanted to take part in the ELCAF and Anorak workshops that are coming up soon, but unfortunately will not be able to attend them! But I will keep thinking and exploring of workshop proposals I could submit in the future so I could try again next year.
- I'M GOING TO NEW YORK ON FRIDAY!!!!! So going to do lots of drawing, taking pictures and gallery visiting as well as being a cheesy British tourist.
- 2x designs for Crispin Orthotics brief Deadline 01.04.16
- Designs for the plus net wall mural following up from the Peter Barber workshop Deadline 10.04.16
- RESPONSIVE DEADLINE 14.04.16
- COP DEADLINE 28.04.16
Plan of Action
Due to visiting New York, and also having to go on a training course for a summer job (I got a job on a summer camp wooo!) I actually don't have as much time as I anticipated. However, I'm going to work super hard in the time that I have left for Easter break, and I'm even going to take work with me to America *cries*.
Due to visiting New York, and also having to go on a training course for a summer job (I got a job on a summer camp wooo!) I actually don't have as much time as I anticipated. However, I'm going to work super hard in the time that I have left for Easter break, and I'm even going to take work with me to America *cries*.
- Keep being positive, and keep taking opportunities!
- Work really hard to complete my work to the best of my ability
- Also think about my individual practice, and building on my own interests again (as they have really suffered in the last few months) for example music and dancing, and I'd like to watch more films e.g. cult films and artistic films as well as reading more books because I feel really un-cultured
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