This module has been lot different from the previous modules we’ve done so far - and I think this has been both a good and a bad thing. The chance to essentially choose what it is we wanted to explore, in a commercial context has been really exciting, and enlightening too - I’ve definitely found out more about my own practice in a professional context than I have in any of the modules we’ve done to date.
A notable change i’ve noticed from this module is that i’ve taken a decided step out of the comfort of relaying myself as a ‘character based illustrator’. My initial intentions for this project were for it to be a character design brief - though as time has evolved its become more and more separated from the industries who typically utilise formal character design, which I think has benefitted me a lot more.
I’ve begun to explore ways my illustration can be used in other formats - for education, informative purposes - and even using narratives to break down difficult-to-digest concepts, as opposed to restricting it simply to the realms of comics & kids books. I’ve fallen back in love with science, and statistics, and I think the more successful parts of this project have simply being where i’ve been taking information and interpreting it in a visual, easy to understand manner.
My relationship with sketchbooks has changed a lot - before, I would revel in the immediacy of them, and my final work would never be as good as my development work. However - the introduction of the visual journal has helped me separate visual exploration, and visual development, and this has allowed me to continue my research almost well up to the wick, whilst still allowing me to plan my time and resources effectively to make the most of developing my work.
My practice in general is now developing a real synergy between development and refinement - and i’ve learned a lot more about how I work, as opposed to stressing out about how different my practice is compared to other people’s. I’ve begun working in a way that still retains my signature tone of voice, whilst still looking clean, refined and professional - something that I used to struggle with balance-wise previously.
Another significant development is in how i’ve begun to look at how what I do can work outside of a strict illustration discipline. The ‘company’ image i’ve created, Lightbulb, has genuine footing as something that could be actually founded - looking more into the world of workshops and teaching as opposed to just illustration. I’ve previously worried that this wouldn’t make me ‘enough’ of a practitioner - but this module, as well as the others we have done this year have shown that the skills we have can be used in all kinds of ways, and that often it tends to benefit from you not trying to pigeonhole yourself too greatly.
I’ve taken bigger risks this module than I have previously - and recognised where parts of my proposal weren’t going to work as well as intended. Completely changing my proposed final outcome isn’t something i’ve ever done before - but i definitely think that it has benefited me, and the project as a result. It generally feels more like it has come directly from me, as opposed to me trying to squeeze my work into another way of working.
I didn’t have the time I initially thought I was going to - given the work we had from other modules running simultaneously to it, but I do think that i’ve managed it a lot better - better than any of the previous modules I maybe have this year. Time management and organisation has always been my worst enemy - but by not stubbornly sticking to my original plan, this has allowed me to plan and organise things a lot better, to suit the time scale I actually had to work on.
Whilst I think if I had my end-proposal at the beginning, my project could have been even better - I don’t think I could have gotten to the point that I have done without that struggle I had at the start. The end result has left me with something that - although could be explored a lot further, is competent, looks refined & professional, and has the potential to work in the real world - which was not only what we were asked to make, but also a huge improvement for me given the place I was in when I first joined the course. I hope to perhaps continue exploring this further down the line as I go into level 6.
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