In context to the feedback I have received from my tutor, I will reflect and analyse what has worked well and what improvements and action points I can make to proceed going forward.  My tutor asked me a few questions in my feedback that got me thinking.  I will share those, as well as a lightbulb moment I had after reflecting on my feedback.

Assignment 1: Say Hello

What worked well?  

My tutor said that it shows that I have used the exercises to explore ideas, particularly working through what I intend the illustration to visually communicate with limited text. She said it is great to see my workflow evidence of traditional cut paper techniques explored. I merely used digital software to construct and not generate the final illustration.

Action Points or Improvements

My greeting card is in a conventional card format.  My tutor suggested exploring different sizes, formats, concertina cards, pop-ups, production finishes such as di-cutting, embossing and foiling.

Questions that got me thinking

“What was your rationale for the colour palette?”

I include an unfinished piece that shows my first colour palette idea (Figure 1 image on the left).  I wanted to reflect a friendly and happy feel with bright, upbeat colours.  After creating the design, I realised it looks like a very busy Christmas Card, so I changed it to the palette of the image on the right and kept it to approximately two harmonising hues and varied saturation to make it less busy.

“What do you believe mixing digital and conventional techniques adds to your process?”

This was when I had a lightbulb moment.  I don’t think the digital process adds anything to this illustration.  It will probably look much better if I painted the paper, done the paper cuttings and built the image on paper. I can then photograph it and use it digitally if I need to.

Exercise 1: The History of Illustration

What worked well?

According to my tutor’s feedback, I have conducted some great research clearly informing my understanding of the two artists, particularly the use of materials and general creative processes. I demonstrated this well in the exploration of my own two illustrations. She was pleased to see that I am sketching from life and using photographs to plan composition for the illustration.  She encourages me to continue to develop this methodology. 

Questions that got me thinking

Will you continue to mix traditional and digital approaches in illustration? Do you see technology as a machine that loses the craft of making as William Morris preached, or do you consider it a tool the designer has total control over?

Unless I could find a technique that changes my mind, I prefer traditional methods for drawing, painting and printing.  I find that digital brushes, pens and pencils do not compare with traditional mediums.  Figure 3 is an example of using the best digital watercolour brushes I could find and traditional watercolours to compare the two.  In my opinion, there is no comparison. Real watercolours are visually more aesthetic. On the left, I have lost the craft by using a digital medium.

In figure 4, I have converted my lino print background to vectors to see what effect I will get, and although I got exciting shapes, it did lose the craft.  I used this background for my Getting the gist illustration, but as a photograph (high-resolution pixels).

What type of projects would you like to illustrate?

I would love to illustrate greeting cards, shopping bags, gift bags, wrapping paper, packaging and graphic design illustrations. 

Who do you think your style would appeal to, audience?

My style would possibly appeal to the health industry, for instance, herbal tea packaging, confectionery industry, cosmetic packaging and children products and illustrations.

Exercise 2: Getting the gist

What worked well?

According to the feedback, I have done very well distilling texts to extract key points and have recognised my choice of media was visually too hard for the sensitive subject matter.  She also mentioned that I appear to have the confidence to try different materials, processes and techniques.  This is great to see, but I should not be afraid for all to go horribly wrong, happy accidents often produce exciting outcomes to work with.  She said it is exciting to see me exploring the traditional and digital together, moving back and forth between old and new.

Action Points or Improvements

My tutor suggested exploring more idea generation for briefs as “getting the gist”.  Brainstorm the physical body language between the listener and the talker, sketch and photograph a range of poses, consider composition, plan illustration, test styles (as I did here), then iterate the solution.

Questions that got me thinking

Do you believe your visual narrative communicates as intended?  If there was no text, would your illustration speak for itself?

I think if there was no text, it would be difficult to guess what the visual narrative communicates.

What have I learnt, and how do I intend to proceed to Part Two?

• I have realised that the digital processes I have used do not add anything to my illustrations. I want to be more aware of whether digital methods add or take away from the art piece.  I will also be cautious about claiming digital technology as a means of saving time.
• In my next project, I will explore the colour palette in more detail and consider the visual narrative of the colours together with shapes, imagery and composition.
• When doing a project similar to Saying Hello, I will explore more ideas on sizes and formats to communicate the key concept of the message.
• I feel motivated to sketch as much as possible and explore different ideas and materials.  I already have a few ideas. 
• I will explore more idea generations for briefs, such as Getting the Gist, especially the physical body language.  This is an excellent suggestion from my tutor, and I can’t wait to try this. 

Overall I am delighted and encouraged by the feedback and is looking forward to Part Two.