Visual Language evaluation

1.       Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice?

Throughout this module have development many different practices. The skills I have learnt and developed have been applied to not just my visual language module but also my other modules. This module has forced me to work with media that I wouldn’t usual choose, such as collage and camera. When started a brief I’ve learnt that there’s a lot more to consider that I used to. Not only the shape, texture and line, but also the composition. I now think about how my illustrations can have a strong composition, colour and line of sight. These are things that I have always considered in the past but now that I know the importance of thumb-nailing, it’s become a lot more important. By considering the frame, composition, line of sight and depth it can change o dictate the effect of an illustration. I applied what I learnt to my visual communications brief when designing my city postcards.

As well as this, this module has made me think more about the medium I use an why I use them. Different tools can create different textures, or even moods. For example, black ink would work well to create a feeling of sadness.

2.       Which principles/ theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?

I think the principles I have found most valuable during this module is the idea of shape, composition, depth and line of sight. I’ve been employing this by doing extensive thumbnails or different compositions before choosing a favourite. This is now something I naturally do for any project I am given. During this course I have been given different set frames to work with so thumb nailing and composition is important to think about.

As well as this I enjoyed looking in t the use of line quality, particularly thickness of line. In the past I’ve used fineliners which are very thin. Not only has been line quality become quite lose and fluid but I’ve learnt that going back in to the drawing with a thicker line and applying it to just a few areas and bring out the image and tone. I’ve employed this in to the work in my other modules such as visual narrative. Also, I took what I’d learnt from the use of shape and collage in to visual narrative by making textured strawberries out of simple shapes.

3.       What strengths can you identify within your Visual Language submission you capitalise on these?

I think my strengths lie in my exploration of line and the quality and value I got from using different types and sizes of pens. Although what I made was very simple, I think my work looking in to shape was successful. By simplifying it I made something that I found quite hard to actually show a lot of information. For example: the shapes of the girl in the pool. I’d of liked to look further in to colour because I enjoyed the last task and I’m really happy with what I came up with.

4.       What areas for development can you identify within your Visual Language submission and how will you address these in the future?

I think I need to develop on my use of medium and move on from just using fineliners. I’ve started playing with a brush pen which I don’t feel like I have as much control when using it but it has a lovely loose effect. I was stubborn and stuck to what I knew in case what I produced didn’t look good. However visual language was all about playing ad learning with how to make images. I will address this by simply having fun with different mediums, by telling myself that I’m not allowed to use a fineliner.  I also struggled with the shape and texture tasks. I’ve never really considerate these in the past and isn’t my usually way of drawing. The best way to address this is to practice and it’ll become a natural thing to consider.

5.       In what way has this module informed how you deconstruct and analyse artwork (whether your own or that of contemporary practitioners)?

Since starting this module I now know there is a lot to consider before making an image. I now appreciate what goes in to making an illustration and can see this in other illustrators work. I now see that people don’t just make pretty pictures but a well-considered illustration that took time and planning. I had never noticed how certain compositions work, for example line of sight but now without even think about it, I’m analysing artwork and putting what I’ve learnt in to my own work.

                                                                        

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.