visual communication: end of module evaluation

1.  What skills have you developed through this brief and how effectively do you think you have applied them? ·       The first brief was the first time I had properly considered animation beyond simple two frame two layer movements. I learnt a lot about the animation process by independent means, which itself is a good skill to have as it meant I did not have to rely on others so much. I think it was effective, as I produced some fairly technically successful animations (though they could have been smoother!). I had dismissed animation in the past, but I very much enjoyed this and would like to work with GIFs more, and can see how they are relevant to contemporary illustration practice. ·       This module was also the first time I have used vectors. As a skill I can see how it can be applied and should be used, even if it is not the most enjoyable process. I think the results could have been more effective, as I feel it looks a little dictated by the software whilst it should really just be a tool.

2. What approaches to/methods of image making have you developed and how have they informed your concept development process?

·       Working with vectors has continued my shape driven approach to image making, and has made me consider simplicity and the digitally made. Before I thought something looking ‘digital’ was a flaw, and that allowing the image making to be dictated by the software (or media) was a bad move. I still think that in some aspects, but being controlled by the limits of the software made me think in new ways, in the same way that being controlled by a brief is I suppose. ·       The task in ‘I See Faces’ made me approach character design in a less literal way, and as a result created more innovative designs and work. Creating so many characters in quite a limited amount of time pushed my approach to storytelling and helped improve my ideas generation process. And so I think being forced to do things quickly can help!

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

·       Although I struggled somewhat with time regarding the “Persons of Note” brief, I found strength in it for “I See Faces” and “Greetings From” tasks. I do believe I worked hard in these, and really did find that putting in extra hours resulted in better work, particularly in terms of crafting. ·       I feel I am able to create groups of work that work well as a series. Curating consistencies in style, tone of voice and media have been beneficial in making series of work that, well, look like a series. As many projects involve a body of work rather than a one off piece, I think this is a good skill to have. Whilst consistency is good within one project, I think I need to be careful not to be too consistent across different ones, especially at such a time when I should be experimental and evolving!

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

·       I don’t think I made the most of the time given in regards to the Persons of Note project. I managed my time in that I was able to complete the project in good time, but I feel that I cut corners to do so. I will address this in the future by being more aware of potential lazy ideas and avoiding them! ·       I found that in a few of my projects that I created ideas that maybe weren’t recognisable or understood by the viewer. Whilst it is good to think of fresh, new ideas, there’s no point in them if the viewer does not understand and so dismisses them! For future projects if in doubt I will consult other people on their views or ideas of how the work works. This wouldn’t necessarily be in a formal setting, and shouldn’t take long as work really should be immediate, in one way at least.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
·       Particularly in regards to the “Persons of Note” project I found myself cutting corners, and so next time I will be more aware of doing so and avoid it! I can’t hope to grow as an artist if I am lazy, so I hope to be able to develop more and get better! ·       I am aware of my lack of experimenting, but also in voice as well as methods used. I want to really think about what I want to say in future projects. By thinking about it, and using it, I will be able to discover what I want to do as a practitioner. ·       I did not spend a great deal of time testing media methods for any of these projects and I do think this will have impacted on the results! So if I was to do this again, or for any project really, I need to stop cutting corners on this aspect. By testing media thoroughly I expect to create more effective and refine results. ·       As mentioned earlier, in the future I will be more considerate of ideas and the audience that the illustration is intended for. The point of (most if not all) illustrations is to be consumed by a viewer, and if the viewer gets an emotive response from a piece, usually because they understand it, then the piece will be successful. ·       Even though I found quick idea generation to be helpful in the first brief I still found myself wasting time being preoccupied with ideas in the other projects, particularly the second. Ideas are very important, and as said should be considered, but thinking too much with words and no enough with image making held me back I think. I find I can actually generate more ideas more quickly by drawing, so I will do this more in the future.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance				x
Punctuality					x
Motivation			x
Commitment				x
Quantity of work produced		x
Quality of work produced			x
Contribution to the group		x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self-evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.