iTap lecture 9

Production for visual Communicators.

There are many ways that different artists show there work to people and this has changed over time. In the past books where hand written, then printed now we have digital distribution and images. Different people have different work flows and patterns that they follow when they produce there work. Some people have a system where they rework there ideas all the time making and refining a few designs others are more scatter shot producing a lot of work and then picking the best ideas and taking them further. In the current Field of design and art there are some widely recognized experts and pioneers such as johnny hard staff and brody. There work becomes sort of like a Lynch pin for trends that follow and inspire Manny other designers. I consider the following to be some key elements in design that I follow:

Scatter shot - make lots of unrefined and unfinished ideas.

Pick and mix - Chose the ones that stand out and take them a little further.

Like that guy - Look and other peoples work to see what is current and popular.

I like this one - Look at your chosen ideas and pick ONE that you want to push.

On second thought - Part way through developing this idea step back and see where its going if its going nowhere fast go and pick another one.

I got this - Take your idea to some one whose opinion you value and get there critic.

Ok - Now step back from your idea again and see where its going and think about what

other people have said.

Hmmm - ‘Finish’ the idea and show it to people, get there opinions on it.

Tweak - slight adjustments to refine the final.

This, this or this - Use lots of different potential methods and materials to show the finished piece and find the most effective.

No take backs - Show your finished work off to people and revel in your applause!

iTap lecture 8

As a creative we need to constantly be on the look out for interesting things around us. We should be drawing inspiration from all the different things we see that catch our attention, some artists take a camera with them and take snap shots of the street as they walk down it other people take quick sketches of images around them that peek there interest. Some people may even take quick descriptive notes to serve as a reminder later. As artists we also need to consider and remember some of the sensitivities that we touch on we need to be aware that our own work can be potently influential and also potentially upsetting to some people. We try to capture and express our own opinions and believes about the world around us but we have got to remember that other people share it.

Pieces of art work can have very layered meanings and suggest controversial things. Some of the most inspired or hard hitting images and pieces of art work come form using the knowledge and experience of the artist in conjunction with the events around them. The best way to do this is to take note of things that grip you or be bold enough to put forth a powerful argument. The most important thing any artist can learn Is that the images they create arn't just pictures but tell a story and have a weight to them these no point in drawing a picture or taking a photo, you have got to try and show an opinion with it, create an atmosphere or tell a story.

iTap lecture 7

Development of creative thought.

Overcoming mind sets. To become original in our work we need to sometimes break the covental rules of design and thinking. Forcing our selves out side of our comfort zones.There is a simple way to force our selves to get into this habit. Think about what rules you want to break or change in what your doing and then find ways in which to challenge these rules question them why not do this like this or why not put that on there? Be creative in your work and try to brake conventions and preconceptions avoid pre existing assumptions that you may have of the work your about to do. To break the rules you need to know them first. Look at existing methods and attitudes that are prevalent study what has come before and what is currently popular. Over time one should develop attitudes of there which leads to creative thinking.

The creative environment that an artist works in is a reflection of the artist them selves. Personally in messy with scrap paper all over paints and brushes fermenting in days old water and pencils everywhere. However I work in such a why because It makes me comfortable and stimulates my creative process. A important part of a creative space is the junk in it a artistic person should collect all sorts of articles they come across and manage them around ones room so they give a sense of inspiration. Creative space can also be linked to how we organize our RVJs and work, and how we solve problems in them. A noticeable example of this is how we organize our thoughts do you writ a list or make a mind map? ultimately the environment we work in has an impact on our work and our work has an impact on our environment as well.

Production and outcomes.

Delivery. Artists chose from many different platforms to fulfill a particular role. When I go and work I need to consider what would best suite my audience/ design/ message and use an appropriate format to deliver said message. Choosing a format in which to show your work is very important as it can make or brake design. You need to consider who will be looking at your work and what they will be looking for. Dose the chosen method show the work to its fullest and maintain the meaning. Is it different and interesting, unusual or have a interactive side to it. All these things need to be considered carefully when working and correctly choosing how to format work can make a good idea or design into a great one.

Testing. How do artists get feed back on there work? Or gauge an audience reaction to a piece. There are a few ways. Peer to peer assessment is one of them which allows creatives to bounce Ideas between themselves and refine there concepts and methodology. Another is exhibiting work and looking at the audiences reaction to it. This can be done in many ways, like putting on a gallery exhibition. Posting on a blog or website for example. As illustrators and creatives we need to constantly refine and improve our work and ideas and the best way in which to do this is to show then to other people and take on board there criticism. By doing this we can learn about our own work and judge how other people will react to it in the future. In doing this creatives can create a work ethic which allows them to become gradually more independent and confident in there own work, As an artist you should never fear criticism but welcome it, take it on board and apply it to your designs taking them further.

iTap lecture 5

Creating narrative.

All story's have a start a middle and a end. Not always in that order however. These sections of story can be identified by looking at key parts of a given film. A three act structure however cannot exist if there is no main protagonist. The end of act one is the point where the protagonist makes a commitment which push the film onto act 2. In the first act of a given 3 act film the charters are in a state of equilibrium which is the norm. Something disturbers that balance which triggers events that eventually lead to a new balance at the end of act 3. The story's in 3 act movies are usually told in two ways. The outer story and the inner story. Events in the outer story are external, whilst events in the inner story are personal to the main protagonist.

Avatar,

for example is a 3 act film that can be broken down to its parts. Act one is the human base and the lives of the mercenaries. In this part of the film the basic premise is explained and the ideology is put froward

Act 2 occur es when the main protagonist meets a female native, Which also impacts his personal story. This act continues until home tree is destroyed which sets off act 3, with the film finishing on a new equilibrium at the end.

Avatar is also a very good example for a large multi platform release, with a game and a website related to the movie. The game promised (though didn't deliver but I digress) a more in depth look at the world of Pandora, which in the film was crafted very vaguely to create a sense of mystery for a sequel no doubt. This promise of lore and in site to unexplained aspects riled the audience more a boosted the popularity of the film. Other mediums can be used to reinforce, continue or add more depth with any given film.

iTap lecture 4

RVJ

Reflective visual journals. Are the library of your thoughts. You experiment in them mess around with different materials and techniques and expand your visual language through them. RVJs are a essential tool for any artist and allow you to put your thoughts on paper. There are some key things to remember when working in them. Your RVJ has to be drawn, stuck, Pasted, coloured and painted in whenever an idea crosses you. From that initial thought on the paper you can then divulge into different branches and more ideas from it. It RVJs allow an artist to solidify there thoughts and ideas and reflect on them to see which ones they wish to take further. The brain is in two diff rent parts the right and the left one is playful and bold whilst the other quantifies things into what is useful and what is not. To create a successful RVJ one needs to harness these two sides. Letting ideas flow in a sporadic way at first but then looking over them to make something more out of the initial concepts on the paper. Experimenting is sometimes helped in RVJs when one looks at an over arching theme. There needs to be some form of direction in the work so your more calculating side can pick up on the idea and take it forward. Its always important to annotate in RVJs as well, just briefly to clarify your idea for other people or even for you, if you storm on in the work and look back at a idea which is vague you may forget the initial intent or purpose. Great ideas sometimes or even often emerge as an accident, a strange use of a material which gives an unpredicted effect for example. These ideas can be found in RVJs and refined through them.