It's the end of the module! I am not going to go into too many details here about how I am feeling generally, as I am going to be writing a reflections post about the module as a whole. So, for now, let's focus on just this section.
I am pleased that my tutor has been happy with the module. I'm not exactly how I am feeling, I certainly don't feel the same way towards this section than I did at the end of section four. I have really enjoyed the opportunities that this module has given me to respond to interesting briefs. I really enjoyed thinking about how I can turn what I make into things that can generate revenue.
At this stage of my learning and career, it's easy to think that you can't go out and make money from what you do, that you somehow need to be 'finished' in order to do so. I really enjoyed all that went into making the phone case and pattern, and I think with some more sketchbook experimentation I could come up with some fun, interesting and cool ideas for pattern design.
I am frustrated (and this is a trend going through this module) that I have tended to jump to digital methods over traditional options. It's becoming a bit of a crutch, and I also think that my impatience has a big influence on those choices - I want to get ideas and colour down as quickly as I can, and the easiest way to do that is through digital means.
I feel, however, that I am missing out on the opportunity to make happy accidents. For example, I could have done colour visuals for the editorial illustration exercise through some paint, print and collage. It definitely would have taken longer, but the opportunity for learning mistakes is great taking that direction.
I'm surprised that my tutor thinks that my hand rendering of type is as well-developed as she believes it to be. Type has always been interesting to me, but my hand-rendering has always tended to be a small set of tried-and-tested renders that I have taught myself whilst creating sketchnotes and graphic recordings.
When pushed to just concentrate on creating lots of variation, I surprised myself with what I could create, and I especially enjoyed mushing myself to think outside of the box - one of my favourite experiments was using wool to create a word, a wonderful phenomime!
I am also pleased by the variation in stylistic choices I have been able to make this time, I really enjoyed replicating a Victoriana effect for the cookie packaging, and it really made me want to do more inking! That, combined with being able to create a sequential illustration for the pamphlet has really re-energised my desire to do more graphic literature - fiction and non-fiction alike!
I was frustrated with myself when I had completed, (and received feedback for) assignment five. I felt like I had taken a less-brave path, and kept to a digital safety zone. The image suffers for that. Done is better than perfect, but I think I lost some of the energy I had when imagining the emergent image. I got so focused on getting it done and not mucking up, that I constrained myself to the point of it being, well, boring!
I have resolved to address this ahead of my assessment and will be taking in all of my tutor's feedback as I tackle the re-render.
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