Thursday, 6 September 2012
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Monday, 18 June 2012
Friday, 11 May 2012
Hopes, Fears and Opportunities- part 2
Hopes Fears
and opportunities. Part 2
Reflecting back
to my hopes, fears and opportunities part 1 post from the first semester, I
feel I have improved on many issued raised but I also feel that there is still
room for more improvement. I no longer feel that I should have my future
planned and all knowledge of illustration mastered as things will change and
new opportunities may come my way, so my biggest improvement is that I am less
fearful of finishing my degree, still have some worries but I think that is
normal after being in education all my life I know now that in a few weeks I am
entering the real world and illustration industry, scary stuff.
Hopes.
My initial hope
was to improve on independent problem solving. Each project felt different, I
felt more confident with some projects than others, whether this was how I felt
about the brief or how I felt in general - I sometimes let my emotions reflect
in my work. I now know I its ok to feel different to each project, as long as I
put as much effort in to each then I will always produce a strong and different
outcome and I will feel positively challenged each time. My second hope was
wanting less need for input from tutors, this has also improved as now I
understand my style better, I know the right answers that will compliment my
work and I can move forward with developing and understand what I want to
achieve better, I still take advice from the tutors as they are extremely
helpful and I make the most of them while I have chance.
My other hope was
to progress ideas faster, I find it hard to commit to an idea or theme. I can
waste time experimenting, changing ideas or totally freeze in fear for a few
weeks, feeling that constantly thinking about my idea meant I was still working
on the project but really I wasn’t moving forward and was only creating more
stress, this sometimes lead to spontaneously imagery that worked well but I
cannot risk this for every project, so if I create similar images from an
earlier stage in the project I could produce more and have more time on final
touch ups and editing. I do work better under pressure and usually backwards,
where I like to create ideas from things and textures I already have. I have
also learnt a new way of working where I would select a few textures and elements
I already own and challenge myself to create imagery by only using this
selected range of elements.
Fears.
I originally
feared that my confidence would hold me back from this year’s final push for
work, visits and contacts. I am very pleased to say I didn’t let it! I believe
in my work so much more now, maybe it was because of my contacts in London that
give me a confidence boast, told me I can make it in the industry and I have a
clear and confident style. I did initially hesitate when creating lists of
potential contacts and sending the first email, but I was surprised with the
amount of responses I got as I thought they all would be too busy to reply. I
then got used to this and accepted it as part of being an illustrator. I think
I will find it harder after graduating that I cannot get reassurance that my
work is going well but I think this will encourage me to meet new people in the
industry that can inspire and spear me on.
I also feared for
my time management skills, getting off to a good start with the first semester
as I was setting myself plans and deadlines, this semester I have tried to plan
but this project has drifted in so many directions I thought it was best to go
with the flow and plan a lot of time for being playful, As I hoped I have
worked on multiple projects including 2 competitions and dividing my project
into 3 smaller projects with crafts. I think this worked well for me as I
sometimes felt myself getting stuck on some aspects of the project and needed
to step away and look at it from fresh eyes, as time was short I didn’t waste
time over thinking one project I just moved on to another.
Opportunities.
I initially wrote
‘opportunities- take them all’ and I hoped to make the most of competition
briefs- which I did, the facilities and learn the vinyl cutter- which I don’t
think I did as much as I wanted as my ideas for this project didn’t require
that much aided equipment and the deadlines for the equipment was quick, I
didn’t have time to use the vinyl cutter, I have used it once before and this
sparked an interest to use it more often. I think I can use this time between
now and the end of term for using all facilities for future use, I now also
know that there are other places around Manchester with similar facilities and
workshops if I ever needed it. I also need to find a cheap photocopier, maybe
in a library, to get my photocopied textures and the ones in uni are no longer
free anyway then it wont be much different. I think I should make the most of
the library books available and collect as many textures and multiple copies as
possible before leaving for future use.
For my final
opportunity, I also wanted to have a better knowledge of the InDesign, which I
achieved in the first semester with my zine project and finding out how to
print a book double sided with bleeds and stitch room. I also use InDesign for
my portfolio and PDF portfolio layouts, which has made me realize I need the
InDesign programme for after graduation.
Aims
I wrote a list of aims to be achieved by the end of this semester:
I wrote a list of aims to be achieved by the end of this semester:
Strong
portfolio. I think my
portfolio has come on so much this year, my portfolio is up to date with
current work and as my work has been getting stronger this has aided my
portfolio to become stronger. I received advice positive feedback from all
visits about my portfolio visits, which has helped me.
Website. I have had a website since the start of
the year. www.emma-thorpe.co.uk and
I have worked on improving it a lot over the year, I have made sure it is easy
to navigate, simple design and gives out all the necessary information. I have also worked hard on making sure
it up to date with my current work. Along with my website I have worked on a
lot of promotion stuff, including booklets, postcards, stickers and business
cards.
Future plan
for illustration. I do
have a better understanding of what I want my future to be like from
illustrations but I cant predict what opportunities will come my way and I have
no set job. I think I would like to gain as much experience as possible from
the industry, maybe as intern or part-time shop work at a craft related store.
I feel that my future involves surface design and crafting along side
free-lance work.
Studio Space. I am undecided as of yet if I require a
studio space. I have a room at home that I call my studio and for now that has
everything I need so I am unsure if I want to pay out for a studio space. I
find it hard to carry my stuff home everyday from uni and wish I could keep
them in one place so maybe staying at home is best for me right now. I think if
I did decide to move to a rented space I would like to do it with other designs
so I am surrounded by inspiration.
To be continued…..
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Friday, 4 May 2012
FMP- Fat Cat
As part of my final work I am working with an illustration of a .. 'plump' cat. I started with a very confident shape so now I am not sure how to move him forward.
I decided to use some pattern's from my sketch book and decorate him, this looked good. But I think he needs something else...
I thought he could need some text to accompany him so I looked into some cat poems by T.S Eliot to find some quotes.
"Curious Cat" - The Rum Tum Tugger.
"He can play any trick with a cork or spoon and a bit of fish-paste".
"His manner is vague and aloof, you would think there was nobody shyer- but his voice has been heard on the rood when he was curled by the fire. - Mr.Mistoffelees.
"His manner is vague and aloof, you would think there was nobody shyer- but his voice has been heard on the rood when he was curled by the fire. - Mr.Mistoffelees.
So, I then decided to simplify and have fun with the cat!
Promotion
Another productive day on the promo side, I reworked my logo and then applied it to all social media linked with Emma Thorpe Illustration. I also have had new business cards and postcards printed, hopefully they will be delivered in time for the show.
My business and postcards follow the similar style. Being a bit different with my business card and having portrait ones made.
And version 2:
My postcards will also be double size, more fun!
I am now moving this onto my portfolio and having all pages reprinted with the updated logo, barrels on fun that will be on Thursday!
My logo is changing:
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Big Illustration Party - Ep 8
For today’s class we were asked to listen
to episode 8 of Big Illustration Party, hosted by Kevin Cross and Joshua
Kemble, both specialize in comic book and cartoon illustrations. In all
episodes they post onto their blog http://www.illustrationparty.com/
they talk about their experience, share advice and related stories about how to
be a freelance illustrator.
In Episode 8 they discuss promotion and
networking, they raise and interesting points about how to contact clients. The
discuss the benefits of cold calls, something I would never do myself as I
prefer to email and find cold calling to be pushy and give of an instant
dislike impression. The mention that in some cases it is worth doing, mostly
when illustration an event or gig. Where as emails are less pressure, can be
worded correctly and less intrusive.
They go on to detail how they would create
the right emails for the right people by splitting them into two groups, first
emails ‘blast’ to clients you would like to work for and who you think your
style would benefit, in this email you should briefly and friendly state who
you are and that you would like them to keep you in mind for future work if
they like what they see. Kevin and Joshua both advise against image
attachments, seeing it as another step/link the viewer has to do, which I don’t
know what they mean by this, maybe its as simple as adding a link to you
website or they think its better to design an email with embedded images?
After this first email if you receive a
positive response from someone that would be interested in you work then should
add them to a mailing/favorites/subscribe list where you send them emails as
newsletter with updates, usually every 3 months but nothing less. You should
also include an option at the bottom stating that if the reader would like to
be removed from the mailing list they could just email you the word ‘stop’ etc.
Also, not to keeping email a contact after no response.
They also spoke about sending clients
greetings or as they call them ‘holiday’ cards, which I think is a great and
fun idea, I was advised against them by Rose Lloyd when I met her in the start
of my second year, she had an experience where she spent a lot of time and money
in producing Christmas cards one year then when contacting after she was told
that they receive so many that its not a very original idea and they don’t have
time to respond to many of them, although that is just somebody’s experience I
would still try this. In the broadcast they give ideas to not being so obvious
with card designs- avoid the obvious colours (red and green for Christmas) and
imagery (Santa) as clients will find it refreshing and witty to bring festive
cheer with more thoughtful ideas.
Also, after working with a client you
should always send a thank you email after, just reminding them that you
enjoyed the experience, was fun and good working with you. I think this works
for any contact with others from the industry, after by meetings in London I
regret not sending a thank you email just for the time they had taken to see me
or consider my work.
Kevin and Joshua go on to discuss web and
networking, how valuable are illustration housing websites/industries. I don’t
think they suit everyone so its hard to say whether they will benefit some
people. I do see how if an illustrators website is hard to come across if you
have never heard of their name, but maybe if you haven’t heard of them then
they haven’t put enough effort into self promotional work, but with these
websites there is a charge and finding the right website to house your work may
be hard. Personally I think as a freelance illustrator I will try to stick to
doing everything my way and by myself. With networking becoming so popular and
easy way of meeting new people I think it can only be positive for artists and
designers, in the broadcast they mention how you could meet someone through odd
circumstances through Flickr, Twitter, Instagram and they like to find vintage
ads that they use to inspire their work.
So, during class we discussed some interesting points from the broadcast, I was mostly interested in setting up mailing lists and designing emails for people who want to be updated with my new work, Ian suggested Mail Chimp which I am now signed up to and trying to work out, all I need know is a mailing list who want to hear my news :)
We also talked about the contradiction between some stuff that was said in the broadcast and things we have been told to do my Ian and the rest of the tutors. I think everyone prefers different things as I have hear different advice from all contacts I have had this the industry this year about mail and portfolio's, different things appeal to different people, the same with illustration style. Maybe research somewhere you are really interested in there response first and get a feel for how they like things structured of their website might help into how and email might stand out to them.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Lesley Barnes
Another favourite illustrator of mine that has helped me through this semester and final project is Lesley Barnes.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Graphic Guru
Graphic Guru- Ben Jones.
Today I bumped into my graphic guru, Ben
Jones, in the studio and was able to get his feedback on my work so far and
some advice.
We talked about promotion, I mentioned my
business cards and Ben recommended I also use postcards as promotional work and
mail outs, the detail in my work would benefit from the larger scale and they
are better for people to pin up on notice boards and have as decorative pieces.
He also advised me to keep all my details on front, although it doesn’t sound
that much effort for someone to turn the card over but the details can be
incorporated into the design and if someone does pin it up or keep it on their
desk my details will also face them.
Ben also had a look at my website and
noticed a few new pieces and style change. He really liked me bike poster
‘Coast to Coast’.
I showed him work for my FMP, he mentioned
that I have been worked on a lot of things, which was nice to hear, he really
liked my ‘fat cat’ piece, and suggested it would look good screen printed,
adding quality. I haven’t finished my ‘fat cat’ yet so haven’t thought of
printing processes, I think he needs some text to accompany him.
Monday, 30 April 2012
Animation-Research
For my animation class I have been looking at what type of animation and ideas I want.I have decided on stop motion animation using collage, i will use an aspect of my final major project that I have already produced and make it come to life.
While researching these are some of my favourites:
While researching these are some of my favourites:
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Coast to Coast
I didn't produce the final poster to be submitted as part of the initial competition, I wanted to produce the poster to be part of my portfolio and I liked this brief as it required bike illustrations and text. I didn't include all the required text from the original brief as I felt it would take up to much space and I wanted my figure to be prominent.
The teacher who originally set the brief saw my image and contacted me to say the she wanted to use it and I would rewarded with print credits (for the printers at uni). She also requested that I illustrate a second, female figure to represent her who will also be taking part in a bike ride. I was really happy to hear this and as the bike ride date as been postponed I have time after graduation to complete it.
I love my image, I enjoyed doing it and I like the style, slightly different technique to how I usually do it but I think it suits it well, the only thing I don't feel 100% on it his eyes, but I feel after so many attempts at them they are the best I could do.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Agata Dudek
I came across Polish illustrator, Agata Dudek while on a trip to Poland. I found a book (pictured below) which in English is called ' The Crows of Pearblossom' by Aldous Huxley. The illustrations use lovely textured and collage elements, all positioned perfectly to create fun and wacky scenes.
When I got back from Poland I research Agata Dudek to find she illustrates in such an inspiring style.
(above) I love this guys legs! Agata really plays with her elements and makes them fun without being sinister and scaring children readers.
I could upload all of Agata portfolio as each image is as unique and amazing as the last. I think my favourite illustrator of the year goes to Agata Dudek.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Coast to Coast Brief
Also, during this module I have worked on a poster brief set by a Graphics teacher. A poster is aimed to raise support and awareness for an upcoming bike ride for charity. I liked the idea of illustrating bikes and figures so took it on as part of my FMP.
I found this brief to challenge me at each stage, first was to create a figure shaped like he was riding a bike- not too informed but to my own style. I tried a few sketches, representing different emotions while cycling, the care free stroll, the final sprint and a struggling figure.
For me it is important to
do some research before any brief, for this I wanted to know how to
represent a bike with as little elements as possible, I want to show a
bike with 2 wheels and least lines as possible as I want the figure to
be more important than the bike. I also wanted a way of representing
the figure in the correct posture, I don't want it to look like the bike
and person have just been layered, I want them to flow as one movement.
For
my brief I get the feeling that the people involved are not
professionals and are going to struggle with 140mile cycle. I want to
represent them as being fun people that like a challenge but I don't
want to show that they can cycle with ease, I want to show that they are
pushing themselves for charity.
I took inspiration from:
Blanca Gomez.
Blanca Gomez makes cycling and illustrating look so easy and sleek with hypnotizing wheels.
Blanca Gomez makes cycling and illustrating look so easy and sleek with hypnotizing wheels.
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