This year’s focus has been applied illustration, products and packaging, making connections to societal issues. I wanted to focus on drawing objects and motifs rather than scenes - this came as a realisation after year 2 during my submission for the YCN Alice in Wonderland brief, so helped with the direction for my final year.
My work has a lot of direction now and I have come to see that education and eco values have played a strong part in my direction, making me realise I want to work on material with an educational and informative purpose.
My work is primarily digital, and process is initialised via extensive hand drawn work in my sketch books. During this year I have come to realise that my sketchbook work is a vital part of the process that I don’t omit just because the end result is digital. This part of the process is where I can experiment and gather inspiration regarding colour, object scale, placement as well as how they work with other objects and use of line. I have focused on using Photoshop this year as it is my package of choice; I used Illustrator during my first year at Leeds College of Art but it felt too restrictive, due to my lack of knowledge about its functions. Now I can use Photoshop effectively I can appreciate why Illustrator is important to use on a commercial scale, so I now aim to use the package again to develop a strong skill set in its use.
Exploring shape, colour and texture has always been important, however trying to create more texture in my digital work has been an area I have been keen to develop. Working with flat images and making them have depth and dimension via the use of digital processes such as the dissolve tool has been effective. I have revisited existing images and enhanced them digitally, looking at an image straight on and seeing instant depth that isn’t achieved by the objects placement, but by shading and overlaid textures. Pattern is also now used more in my practice, it fits well with the merchandise element of my work and is a way to apply my motifs in one place, giving them purpose, turning an image or collection of images in to a design using pattern, placement and repeat.
I know now that I can produce work for editorials after seeing what other food illustrators have produced. I now no longer restrict myself with belief that my work isn’t conceptual, however food and lifestyle magazines require simple motif, so because of this I have found that there is a place alongside the work of others for my work.
During my third year I have developed my collaborative skills, although I still know I prefer to work independently. However after engaging with the Royal Opera House photo-booth project with Aggie, I know I have the skills to work effectively with others. I usually prefer to work alone as I am self-reliant, but with good communication and an honest, open approach to my work, I feel good results were achieved. The project work was clearly divided, ideas were generated together using each other’s known strengths, clear and defined roles were allocated and the timescale was adhered to via the use of regular face to face and online meetings. The project worked as our work ethos gelled and we complimented each other artistically and in terms of our approach to study, I have a strong work ethic and work hard, never wanting to let others, or myself, down.
Building confidence has been a prominent skill to develop this year. Getting out there and conducting face-to-face research was daunting but I can see the value of doing that, so it has helped me focus, I won’t shy away from it now or turn work down as it had an element of contact
Contacting other practitioners for advice, was initially another daunting task as I was put off in case I was ignored, and would take it personally, however I don’t feel this anymore. People have been willing to give time and look over my work to provide useful feedback so I am less apprehensive about making an initial contact enquiry.
Developing a strong online presence and promotional pack has taken a lot of thought as I understand the importance of how I am perceived by others through this media and how it is important tool for me to use to communicate and get people to engage with me. I am happy with my the website I have produced for myself and the selection of work I have showcased. I now that it's something that I can update and change regularly depending on my work and tone of voice. I believe it to be a more professional way to showcase my work compared to Instagram.
I have come to realise that I need to believe in myself more and stop comparing myself to others so much. The PPP module has been integral in helping me develop my work and developing myself in terms of seeing myself as, and becoming professional. Embarking on commissioned work has increased my awareness of how the sector works and what options are open to me, giving me some experience of what it is I am hoping to do. This includes working as a commercial illustrator for a client, meeting deadlines, adhering to their specifications and so on. I have recently had my food waste project shortlisted for RSA (interview & presentation in London 9 May) which again should reassure me of my ability in a commercial sphere. My whole approach and practice has changed over the last three years, guided and shaped by my experiences on the course, I feel that when I leave LCA I will be leaving as an accomplished illustrator.
