End of Module Student Evaluation BA (Hons) Illustration Module Code: OUIL504 Illustration 1: Production & Presentation Name: James Moore Student ID: 260353 Please identify where the evidence for each of the learning outcomes is within your submission and how well you feel you have met the learning outcomes. Please also grade yourself in relation to the learning outcomes using terms: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent (Note- This is so that the team have an understanding of how well you feel you have done. It is not an indication of the actual grade you may receive.) Learning Outcome
Evidenced where? Blog, Visual Journal, Roughs, Final Illustrations, Stings, storyboards, development sheets etc. (No more than 75 words)
Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent
5A5: Demonstrate an informed understanding of issues relating to image, media, format and context through the delivery of solutions to identified visual problems. (Knowledge & Understanding - Critical Awareness)
I actively perused issues, experimenting with print and animation methods that I had very little experience with. Thanks to this experimentation, I was able to pinpoint what medium suited what image, which I feel is most apparent with my book outcome. It mixes most print methods, and digital touch ups, trying to merge old and contemporary methods, in an effort to achieve the best of both worlds. The supplied inductions reaoly helped to overcome the issues, giving me an informed understanding of the task at hand. I also took to the challenge of portraying further meaning within my imagery, in an attempt to say more than just make a aesthetically pleasing image.
Very good
5A6: Understand the potential and limitations of a range of processes, technologies and techniques involved in the development and production of work for print and screen based delivery. (Knowledge & Understanding Research)
I tried as many print processes as were to my Very good disposal for the projects, mainly developing an understanding as to how I can mix the different outcomes, finding how they may compliment each other. This is also shown in my journal and blog, through my developmental roughs, considering how the medium would effect the outcome. This is especially true when I had to consider two colour limitations, having to find ways around the limitation, such as using halftones to shade, or play with print process to gin a differing outcome and look to the imagery.
5B4: Analyse and critically evaluate primary/secondary source material to inform the development and contextualisation of ideas, concepts and products through individual responses to set briefs. (Cognitive Skills - Problem Analysis, Problem Solving)
I did a lot of research in to the personal life of Orwell, and his books, allowing me to really understand the man, and the world around him at that time. Evidenced on my blog this resulted in work that truly links to the author, portraying his ideals and personality. I discovered a love for the work he created, causing me to truly want to succeed in the project, and do his work justice.
Very good
5C4: Select, manipulate and apply appropriate media, processes and technologies in the development, production and presentation of ideas, concepts and products. (Practical Skills - Practical and Conceptual Development)
By combining both analogue and digital methods, I was able to really play with my ideas and imagery. In turn it ensured that my concepts could be achieved and brought to life, thanks to working as hard as I could on the project, and being willing to experiment in my own time.
Very good
5C5: Identify, evaluate and apply practical/technical processes, materials and media in order to produce technically competent and conceptually appropriate outcomes. (Practical Skills - Visual Quality and Technical Competence)
I believe that I have created outcomes that are to the best of my abilities, work that is to a high standard. My mixture of print methods, and use of analogue in general, has increased greatly thanks to these tasks, and has benefited my work. The imagery doesn’t quite look as flat anymore, and has a new depth. This has in turn, benefitted my general output, seeing a clear improvement between each outcome.
Excellent
5D4: Demonstrate the ability to communicate the development and resolution of ideas through appropriate visual and written presentation of work. (Key Transferable Skills Presentation and Evaluation)
Thanks to the writings of Orwell, and the deep seeded messages he gives, I was inspired to make more than imagery. I in turn made work that said something, and was more than just imagery. Final presentation of my work also shows progress and a growth of my professionalism. I also noted all thoughts on my process as clear as possible within my blog posts, in order to really communicate my ideas.
Very good
Summative Evaluation (See Evaluation Guidance on next page for more information) You are required to write a 750 word Summative Evaluation of this module. Please type up your Summative Evaluation in the box below. Make a PDF of the document, print out a copy to submit with your portfolio of work and post the PDF as your final post on your OUIL504 blog. Starting the module, I had very little experience with print and animation. It was somewhat daunting but exciting at the same time. Knowing that there was such a large amount of time for the project, there was the promise of really getting to know the new methods, and improve upon them. Two of the biggest changes/ transformative moments that came because of the module, would be the use of mono type, its very surprising just how many applications I found for it, and getting to grips with animation, I know for a fact I have a long way to go, but have garnered a real interest in working with it again. Both these process’ I have embraced, and plan to use and improve upon. Using analogue methods is something I knew I needed to incorporate more of in to my work, too often I hide behind a digital (photoshop) safety net, resulting in flat looking work. I truly believe that I have become far more comfortable using analogue methods now, reaping the benefits of applying it to my outcomes. This all came from practice and research, trying the mediums out and when things went wrong, finding out why, so I could address the problem and work upon it.
After effects has been a very interesting aspect of the process, having me wondering where it may take my work in the future, excited by the possibilities. I never considered just how much the program could do for my work, how it can spruce up even the simplest of animations. Its always fun to see my artwork move, but never has been as simple as with After effects, I just needed to learn the basics of the program and have some care and patience with the movements of the work. Again this was also a time of learning when contemporary and traditional practices have their uses, trying to balance the movements within after effects, combined with frame by frame animation in order to ger a stronger outcome. This draws quite a few parallels with the process of my book brief, mixing new and old methods. Again came the reminder of the importance of roughing ideas, be it sketched editorials, book narratives or thumbnail storyboards, there is a clear residual effect on the outcomes, they are stronger for it. Noting as many ideas as possible really helps to differentiate between what is a good and what is a bad idea. Even if there Is an idea that has potential to be something special, there is always the opportunity to use it at a later date. This just means it is crucial to get the idea down. This was prominent with my editorial roughs, later becoming the ideas used on my book, or the work with type, not necessarily generating anything right for the task at hand, but leaving me with backlog to refer to in future times of need. It’s been a blast to get to grips with all these new methods; I haven’t quite felt such satisfaction from a module since starting the course. This comes from a mixture of risks and challenges that paid off, skills learnt that I can now apply to, and improve my work, and outcomes that I would absolutely be proud to show within my portfolio. Thanks to the time allowed for the module, I was able to work on and truly understand the new methods, exploring the possibilities of the mediums and finding as yet untapped potential from them. Researching the authors, truly brought a new element to my work, causing me to be more considerate about the themes of my imagery, what stories I can tell thanks to my image making. Having so many opportunities to gather feedback, such as crits, allowed me to make more informed decisions within my work, and understand just how my work makes people feel. This is very beneficial as I need to understand what generates what emotions in imagery, how to get the right response from the target audience and gain their interest in my work. I see a large opportunity for improvement on my skills with after effects, making animations that have more consistency, and have a better handle of timing within the project. I am proud of what I have achieved at my current level as a relative newcomer to after effects, but see a clear chance and potential for improvement. Another weakness within the project was screen printing, I got so caught up in the other mediums, that I neglected to use the method enough, there are clear sections of the book that would have benefitted with a screen printed touch. My colour choice, whilst I don’t regret it, didn’t allow me to experiment and play with the overlay aspect of printing, which is a real shame and something that absolutely needs work on. I feel there has been a clear progression with my work, Its clear from looking at and comparing the quality of the outcomes. This is absolutely a bi product of broadening my horizons with my medium usage. My work is going in an exciting direction, and I am eager to follow it, to see where it will take me.