Introduction
From the onset of the commissioning process and the conveyance of the brief, to the developing visual process of concepts, to the resulting final outcomes and subsequent archiving, digital applications are in evidence.
The convergence of digital technologies combining traditional approaches has opened up new opportunities for the activity and practice of exciting image-making within illustration. This hybridisation of digital and analogue techniques provides an aesthetic which many contemporary illustrators recognise the potential of, and exploit, to maximize their creativity and versatility.
Crucially too, digital applications enable work to be viewed to a global audience within an increasing range of digital contexts and platforms, such as web-based portfolios, e-books and blogs.
Therefore, it is essential that an understanding, knowledge and proficiency of digital applications and technologies is gained and maintained within your profile as an illustrator to effect currency.
This unit focuses upon providing you with these necessary skills within pixel and vector based software within supporting workshops, which will enhance your developing skills further alongside the current accredited ABC Course.
Brief
Welcome to the second decade of the 21st century! But, how will we remember the first one, often referred to as ‘The Noughties?’
Invariably, at the turning of a decade, the media is filled with a lot of retrospection about the developments and happenings over the past ten years, and recollections of seminal moments in time. In the UK, the 1960’s for example, were identified with the era of free love, women’s lib, the pill, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to name but a few occurrences. By comparison, the ‘70’s were typified by social unrest, three-day weeks and Glam Rock, whilst the ‘80’s epitamised an age of self-interest and greed. Conversely, the1990’s denoted a growing awareness and regard for the planet and green issues, but what of ‘The Noughties?’ How might the first decade of the 21st century be perceived?
Within the forthcoming week, you are required to undertake research and enquiry relating to the question,
‘What seminal advances, occurrences, and developments occurred in ‘The Noughties?’
Your enquiry should be explored world-wide relating to any of the following chosen areas, although it is suggested that you select one domain to focus on within the time-frame of the unit -
Political
Environmental
Medical
Scientific
Cultural
Technological
In turn, on Monday 1 February, you are asked to talk about and justify your research findings, which you consider to typify the last decade within group debate with fellow students and staff, which will be examined and challenged, as necessary. Discussion group lists will be given out on the day, and it is the role of the group to decide whether or not the advances, developments and occurrences are sufficiently thought-provoking and representative of the decade. Consequently, you will need to quantify and provide an argument for your selection of research findings within the domain that you have opted to work within.
Here are a few web-links to get you started -
Requirements
Having undertaken the above activity, you are asked to produce a series of six images related to and in visual development arising from your research ideas. Four of these images should ultimately be chosen for your final submission and presented as finished artwork. Think carefully and be discerning about your selection process – self-evaluation is an important aspect of being an illustrator.
The series of images could be made up of montage approaches, incorporate text, utilise semiotics or be dependent on different colour-ways, however, all the images must work together as a set or series.
Demonstrate your understanding, knowledge and skills gained from previous units, i.e. mark-making, printmaking, composition, area of focus and other visual strategies, which need to be evident within your work, but which must be processed and finished using digital media.
Equally, provide evidence that you understand the difference between pixel and vector based graphics and to consider this when developing your interpretation to the brief.
You can work in any media and format but it is strongly recommended that your format and scale is consistent throughout the series. Your work must be saved as a 300dpi jpeg whose longest dimension is no more than 16cms.
Ultimately, your work needs to be presented digitally, and so a file will be set up within the Workshop enabling you to drop your four final outcomes into it. Ensure that your work can be opened up, as failure to do so at the assessment critique will be deemed a non-submission, as all outcomes within this activity will be viewed on screen.
All research findings, idea generation, subsequent visual development, sketchbook work and the other two remaining images will be considered as supporting works.
Written Report
As part of your research, you are required to write 500 words outlining your
understanding of pixel and vector based graphics applications and its
relevance to contemporary illustration practice.
To substantiate your understanding of the two applications, Photoshop and Illustrator, research the practice of illustrators who are exemplars of good practice of these two techniques and compare and contrast their approaches. Provide visual examples to quantify your findings and to help explain your opinion. Please ensure that you attribute and provide a bibliography to support your written report.
A session about this assessment requirement is scheduled for Monday 15 February at 1.30 pm, which will also highlight how you are going to be assessed.
Take a look at the following exemplars of good practice…
Shonagh Rae
Andy Potts
Tim Marrs
Lucy Vigrass
Alex Williamson
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