Final Presentation

OUIL502 End of Module Evaluation

Level 5 was certainly a step up from last year and although it was more challenging, I enjoyed this past 9 months so much more. I have really seen myself grow as an illustrator and produce work that I am proud of. PPP was a module that I struggled with in level 4 and I’m saddened to admit that I feel the same this year. As I found it a challenge to manage the workload, it was easy to forget about PPP and prioritize other module above it. I regret now not applying myself more to this module as I could have gotten so much more out of it.

This module taught me a lot about the business side of being an illustrator. Although it’s not the most exciting part of the course, I was interested to learn and knew it would be beneficial. Studio Brief 2-Life’s a Pitch, allowed my group and I learn the logistics that go in to setting up our own business venture, which we then pitched to the rest of the group. The brief forced me to do something that I hate, which was presenting. I’m a shy person and get very nervous at the prospect of standing up in front of people. I do worry that this came across during our pitch, however as a group we did well and received some positive feedback. My presentation skills is something that I must improve on and I know I will only get better at it the more presentations I do.

This year I have seen an improvement in my research skills and I think that comes across in the quality of work I have produced. As part of my research I have contacted illustrators and asked them questions help inform my practice. This is something I felt to be very productive and will continue to make contacts through the summer and in to level 6.

One of my biggest strengths lies within the quality and professionalism of my promotional pack. I wanted to produce something simple and well put together and decided to only produce the essentials. I also added stickers to my pack as I made some for Cop and thought they worked really well. I am happy with the final outcome and I like the simplicity of the design. I think the pack as a whole reflects who I am and the kind of work that I produce, which I think is the most important thing. I don’t like things t be overly complicated and what rather have something neat, simple and professional. My only regret is that the printed design on the folder could be a bit more exciting and if I had applied myself more I could have designed something better. Nevertheless I’m still pleased with what I have produced and the quality at which they were photographed.

I’ve always been put off creating on online presence on sites such as facebook ad instagram because I was worried that I wouldn’t receive many followers/likes. This module showed me how important it is to get my work out there so I create so I knew I should let being embarrassed stop me. I wish to establish myself further as a professional illustrator now, by getting myself noticed and hopefully work on commissions while I’m still studying.

Studio Brief 1 - a creative strategy, is what I struggled on most last year and unfortunately done so this year too. The brief asks me to collect, categorise and reflect on a body of investigative research and gather creative references. A should have made regular posts to your blog that demonstrate an increasingly individual/independent exploration of Illustration. Although throughout the year I’ve found a number of contextual references that have informed my practice, I have not reflected on this enough on my PPP blog. I find it difficult to talk about what it is I like about what I’ve found and critically evaluate someone’s work.

Going in to level 5 I’ve noticed a big improvement in my confidence. Although a step up from level 4, this year I’ve produced a lot of work that I’m proud of and I’ve enjoyed it so much more. This year I’m celebrating my successes and capitalizing on them. I hope to see my confidence grow more in level 6 as I achieve even more professional work.

Overall, my work for PPP has been good but I feel it could have been better. During level 6 I need to apply myself to PPP more and start seeing myself as a professional. I neglected my blog too much this year so to blog little and often is a target of mine for next year.

During the summer and through to level 6 I’m going to expand and improve my online presence and promotion pack. I want to get more involved with the creative community by taking part in events like Thoughtbubble. I’ve begun talking to professionals and I will continue to do so during the summer and next year. I also hope to get some industry experience or shadow some professionals.

Finished Promo Pack

Here's my final promo pack! I wanted a simple, well constructed design and I think I've achieved this. I think when I improve it, I will using a different pattern and colours and now I see it all put together, I don't think pink is really my colour and doesn't really say 'me'. Blue is my favourite colour so maybe blue next time! I really didn't want to do something overly complicated as that isn't me and I wanted to be able to put it together easily. I like the way my pieces of work and my business card slots it nicely.

I had a photography student help me with the photos and they look great!

Badges

I made some badges as part of my promo pack based on a selection of my work. They worked well for my CoP so I think I'd use the idea again. They look fine and it was a good idea, however the print quality isn't that great so I'm a bit disappoint with the overall final.

I got some work experience!!

I got a reply from Spinning Clock! They can't do it right now but they said they'll try sort something out for in about a month which is perfect for me as I can't do it now anyway! I need t let them know when I'm available! I'm exciting!! He said I had a great portfolio as well. YAY.

RSPB Reply!

Ok so the email isn't actually that exciting but the guy way positive about my work and has given me the emails of the people who I should talk to! Going to email them now!

Final Creative CV

Here is my creative CV that will slot in to my promo pack. Although I think the deign looks good, it was very rushed so I feel I could have done something better. I couldn't think of an idea that would make my CV interesting so I chose to make it quite graphic based and play with the text and layout which I like. However, I do regret not making it based on a similar design to the rest of my creative presence (my hand written name) as it would have tied it together better. This is something that I definitely improve on at a later stage or possible during the summer break.

Contacting Wildlife Organisations

When I handed in my CoP, it was suggested that I email some organisations such as the RSPB so I have! I put together some presentation boards as well that I sent with the email. I spent a long time trying to work out what I was going to say as I wasn't to come across as professional. I'm going to find some more organisations to email put these are a few that I've emailed so far:

RSPB

The Wildlife Trust

The National Trust

Natural England

Applied Illustration Project Report

Applying for Work Experience

The other day I spoke to freelance filmmaker Dave Watts who after only quadrating a couple of years ago is doing quite well. He said they key to his success was that he made contacts and did work experience while still at university. These contacts still ask for work now. He recommended that I speak to the Spinning Clock where he worked and ask if I could shadow some of the illustrators and designers. He said to mention him as it would help me get a possible reply. 

I've sent them an email! Fingers crossed! 

Personal Wrap Arounds

I printed some wrap arounds to go round my work with my hand written name on it matching me promo work. It makes everything a bit more professional and adds some personal identity. 

Tumblr

I've started a Tumblr and I have no idea what I'm doing! I'm finding it a bit confusing to navigate but hopefully I will get my head around it.

Applied Illustration Development

I was so please with what I produced for me Applied illustration module. There was however so much more I could have done with it and ran out of time. During the summer I want to take it further and make other stationary products from the illustrations. This includes 'to do lists', 'shopping lists' and 'recipe' cards!

(Rifle Paper Co)

CARDS!!- I also want to make cards and look in to selling that at small businesses.

Stickers

I made some stickers of bits of my favourite pieces of work to go inside my promo pack! They look good but wish I'd made some of my logo/hand written name.

Society6

I made a Society6 account a few months ago but wasn't happy enough with any of my work to put it up. Since doing the 'Applied Illustration' module I have produced some work that I feel is suitable to put up. I'm still getting used to it so I need to upload some more work but it's exciting!

Pattern

This year I've seen that I've been very interested in pattern. This is showed in my CoP, responsive and Applied illustration modules. I've been using pinterest much more to gather ideas:

Follow Rebecca's board pattern on Pinterest.


I really like quite complicated patterns where there's a little of imagery present. I've found that making a repeat pattern is so fun and easy to do that I just want to make loads! I really see my practice going in to product and packaging so I would love to make gift wraps and patterns to sell.

Printing Promo Pack

I really liked the repeat pattern that I had inside my Cop folder, however I didn't want it to look like I was being lazy by using it again as it would look almost exactly the same. Instead I took a repeat pattern I made for gift wrap for 505 and made it lighter. I took the pink from the design to be printed on to the other side. Because of the extra bit I'm adding to the bottom I have to get it printed at A2 but I will be cutting it to an A5 format so it's smaller than my Cop.

I've made some wrap arounds with my hand written name to match my business cards to go

 around my promo pack.

Another Commission

During the summer I have been asked to produce some illustrations for The Gatehouse Tea Rooms. They're building a new information centre and my illustrations will go on signs around the centre and the rest of the property. I'm getting paid too! We haven't discussed money but will when I've finished uni for summer. I've been asked to produce the illustrations in the same style that I did my Cop and Applied Illustration work in. Exciting!

Texture

Since producing my CoP and now my work for OUIL505 I've become obsessed with creating subtle textures digitally and using block shapes. I've gathered some inspiration on pinterest. This way of working is so different to how I worked last year but I love it! Not that I don't like my lose line work too! Can I be an illustrator that works in lots of different ways??


Follow Rebecca's board texture on Pinterest.

Cards!

I was told about Fabrication in The Light in Leeds and was told that they sell home made cards for people. I've been tempted to start making some of my own cards and see if any small businesses around Leeds and Nottingham would be interested in selling them. I want to keep busy during the summer so I'm going to start then! Worth a try right?

Applying for Work Experience

I was recommended that I email Leanne Mcbrien at Letterbox Lane as she runs a small card business. I'd be interested in shadowing businesses big and small to see what they do. I'd find it interesting to see how she runs her business as a freelancer. 

Business Card Development

I found my first idea for my business card a little boring and wanted to do something a bit more fun and interesting. I had a talk with John and he said I could do anything. He suggested I think about how I could play on my name which I found interesting, so I had a go...

Rebecca Hollings...worth talking to.

I thought this was a clever idea! It plays on my name and also tells the person I give it to that I'm worth talking to and working with. Sadly it didn't leave much room for me to put some kind of illustration on it but I like it.

George Butler

George Butler is a reportage illustrator. Last year in level 4 I was particularly drawn to the works of reportage illustrators. Butler travels the world drawing and I think that's amazing! I love his loose, fluid line work. His drawings are produced using in pen, ink and watercolour. I really love the honesty of his illustrations. A lot of moments are captured by photographers now and I find it refreshing to see illustrations instead. I feel as through he sat and took everything in and captured it in his drawings.