Summative evaluation

Thinking that I had an understanding of what was necessary to further my practice, headstrong, I started working on multiple competition briefs, creating uninspired, safe work. I thought that by following this path, I would become a better designer, and have professional looking works to be featured within my portfolio. With nothing going to plan, I had to re shape my proposal, focusing more on projects that would challenge and advance me as an illustrator, whilst resulting in striking, portfolio worthy illustrations tailored to me. This revelation caused me to consider what was important as an illustrator/ creative.

Because of the rocky start to 603, knowledge was imparted as to what should be important to me as a practitioner. Being that there is no such thing as a set way to work as an illustrator, it’s crucial that I continually challenge myself to be better and introduce/ build upon new skills. Alongside this, I had to consider what was most important to me, using my craft as a means of expression, or as a way to make an income. Focusing on my work as a means of expression instantly resulted in better work, and a healthier output. The ability to send the Japan work to those that I met on my travels was also immensely gratifying. I’m not so concerned about becoming a big illustrator thanks to this, feeling contempt with the idea of getting a day job whilst creating personal work alongside it.

This may not have to be a concern thanks to my time working on the TV show. Things are hopeful from those that I worked with, maintaining contact and sharing information with me. Even if this doesn’t come to fruition, I still have the experience on my CV, meaning I could get further work showcasing it. I was especially fortunate with the placement, having the opportunity to try almost every different area of the art department. Each required specific skillsets, finding myself most effective when working on storyboards. Being quick and having an understanding of composition with camera movement thanks to a love of cinema and comic creation undoubtedly impacted this.

Returning to the module itself, this brief was the first time I got to grips with time management, this time being a necessity to complete both of the zines. Being strict with how long I could take for each image made for an effective process, and was surely the reason I was able to complete two zines. Some illustrations surprised with unexpected challenges, taking more time. This wasn’t too drastic of an issue, with spare time being considered and included for such occasions. I must continue to work in this manner if I am to maintain a healthy output, factoring in research and downtime to ensure I don’t return to a rut or burn out.

I worked on a variety of briefs, from the small, quick turnaround competition briefs for So young and Playstation, to the bigger brief for penguin and the much larger zine projects. I reflect on the earlier briefs negatively, seeing many problems and shortcomings from the work, but when considered as a whole, they were all essential in impacting my practice, changing how I approach process and my mindset on what is important to me as a creative.

As a result I tailor made the zine projects to better my skill set as an illustrator, and challenge my way of working and thinking. These have greatly impacted the way I approach image making, resulting in far more interesting imagery, with an understanding that there is  still room to improve, and to never settle from here on out. Most importantly the project has resulted in work for the end of year show, and can be used as portfolio pieces.

Over the course of 603, I have continued to follow the goal of making my own comics, but now alongside this, as a possible reliable source of income, there is the opportunity to become an in house storyboard artist. Two different roles that I feel work perfectly with one and other.