End of Module Evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation

BA(hons) Illustration

Module Code: OUIL406 Visual Communication

Name: Abigail Woolley

Student ID: aw258410

Please identify where the evidence for each of the learning outcomes is within your submission and how well you feel you have met the learning outcomes. Please also grade yourself in relation to the learning outcomes using terms:

> poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent (Note- This is so that the team have an understanding of how well you feel you have done. It is not an indication of the actual grade you may receive)

Learning Outcome	Evidenced where? Blog, Sketchbook, Roughs Final Illustrations, development sheets etc.  (No more than 75 words)	Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent
4A7 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between visual language, visual communication and problem solving in the development of appropriate solutions to defined problems.	Blog, sketchbook, roughs, final illustrations	Good
4B6 Demonstrate a critical awareness of individual intentions in the production and contextualisation of work related to appropriate creative practices in illustration.	Blog, sketchbooks, roughs, final illustrations	Good
4C8 Identify, evaluate and select appropriate practical and conceptual approaches to the development of visual solutions to set problems.	Blog, sketchbooks, roughs	Good
4C9 Demonstrate the ability to incorporate visual skills and sensitivity to appropriate media in the development of a body of individually identified responses to set briefs.	Blog, sketchbooks, final illustrations	Good
4D6 Effectively manage time and resources in order to document, present and evaluate a self-determined body of work in response to set briefs.	Blog, sketchbooks	satisfactory

Evaluation (See guidance below for more information)

You are required to write a 500 word evaluation of this module.

I’ve learnt a lot during this module. I’d never made a gif before and while I could have been happier with how they turned out, I really enjoyed making them and it’s something I want to pursue after this module, particularly the hand drawn gif. I think that during this module, I also learnt how to simplify my work down so it’s more effective at visually communicating something. In particular, I’m pleased with my sticker outcome. I didn’t want to use text in my finished design because I felt that if an illustration is to be effective in encouraging someone to perform an act of kindness, it shouldn’t need text. I spent a lot of time experimenting with different outcomes and I think the finished design works quite well because it’s simple. I also learnt a lot about using vectors and Illustrator through this project. I think that my practice was best during the Persons of Note project. I made an effort to blog alongside my work with this project and as a result I think that my work was more considered and refined well because I was writing down my thoughts and reflections as I went along. Blogging at the same time also helped me with time management because it helped me figure out what I needed to do next. My image making has changed a lot through this module because all my outcomes were mediums I don’t usually work with. For example, making a 3D gif, using Illustrator for the sticker and collage for the final project. I think that out of all my work for this module, the gifs were the least successful because I was struggling to visualise how the illustration would end up looking when it was animated. However, I found it an exciting and challenging method to image making and it’s something I want to work on. I really enjoyed using Illustrator for the sticker project but I think it’s something I would only use for certain illustrations, like more graphic, bold images. For the final project, I used collage which is something I never really enjoyed before. However, I think it worked well for this project because for the outcome I wanted, it was the best method of image making I could use to achieve it. I think that if I had more time I would’ve screenprinted the final poster because I lost some of the bright fluorescent colours when I scanned it but ultimately I’m happy with how it turned out. I was influenced by Dr Me and their unique approach to collage for the final project, and that’s something that helped me experiment and work in a way that I’m not used to during this module. I was also influenced by the way John Cage composed his pieces and trying to replicate this in my work really helped me to try out new ways of working that I wouldn’t usually. I’ve learnt a lot through this module such as different approaches to image making, and simplifying down work to make it more effective. I think the main thing I have learnt from this module that has made the most difference is time management and using my blog to help me reflect on my work. These are all valuable things that I’m going to take into future modules.

Persons of Note: Final poster design

For the final design, the idea I had to begin with was that I was going to create a 12 note row grid of numbers and then cut up my monoprint and rearrange using the corresponding numbers. I did a couple of testers for this and I thought it looked okay but could've been a more exciting image. I really love the collages by Dr Me where they cut shapes up and rearrange them to make a more abstract but exciting image and this is something I wanted to try and replicate in my work.



These are some examples of the types of pieces I was really inspired by. In particular I think the circle one in the centre is really exciting, and I love how it abstracts the image entirely and makes the collage effect the key element in the piece.

This is what I decided to do with my final poster design. I did a few testers, such as cutting circles out of one design and shifting them slightly, and then some others where I cut circles out of two monoprints and then swapped each alternating circle with the other monoprint.



Ultimately I was really happy with all of these designs, but I think the designs where I have used parts from two different monoprints in one are the most effective. I love the colours in the green ones, but I think the blue ones would work better in a set with my stamps and postcards so I've decided to use the mostly blue design for my poster.



I'm a bit frustrated I didn't get to use any methods of chance in creating my finished design since that was my idea all along, but ultimately I'm really pleased with all my outcomes and I think they still reflect the way John Cage worked.

The hexagrams that make up the monoprints reflect a key part of his method of composition so this aspect of the pieces I've made works well I think. Also, during the crit on Monday when we had to write words to describe other peoples work I got some words written about mine that I think apply well and show that I've answered this brief pretty well. I got a few such as robotic, emotionless etc. and I think that while this wasn't specifically what I was going for with this, John Cage tried to remove all emotion and preferences from his work which I think is shown in the "emotionless" feeling in my pieces.

Persons of Note: monoprints and final designs

I really wanted to use the I Ching to create my monoprints by allocating different numbers different actions, but when it actually came around to trying to do this I just found it too difficult because there would be so much to take into account if I wanted to create monoprints using this method. I'm a bit disappointed by this since it would have best represented the way John Cage composes, and it would also reflect his own artwork.

However, I'm really pleased with the monoprints I ended up with. Instead of my original idea, instead I just randomly generated a lot of I Ching hexagrams and cut these out into stencils. The results are quite abstract and it's not totally clear at first glance that they're hexagrams but I'm really happy with them, particularly the colours. I think the fluorescent orangey/yellow colour works well with the blue.

 

These are my favourite three, and the three monoprints I'm going to use for my postcards. I like that it isn't really clear what is being represented, because I wanted my final outcome to be quite subjective.

For the stamps, I've decided to use sections of the above monoprints. I thought about cutting them up and rearranging the shapes like I experimented with in my sketchbook but I think that would be too much detail for something so small. These are the final stamp designs.

Persons of Note: tissue paper tests

After using the I Ching to create a series of numbers, I've realised how time consuming the process is. To get one hexagram, I have to flip 3 coins 6 times and then find the corresponding number. If I want to do this for every single action in creating the image it could take me a long time so I think I need to maybe limit the number of actions that could occur or find a faster way of generating numbers.

I tried out the I Ching on some tissue paper tests before I moved to monoprinting but I'm finding the process quite frustrating. Coming up with the I Ching numbers is really time consuming, and then allocating the numbers to certain actions is challenging because it's difficult to do this for every single aspect. For example, where do I put the shape? How big do I make it? When do I stop making a piece and decide that it's finished? And in terms of monoprinting, when do I put new ink on the roller and how do I decide whether to change the colour or not?



I think that maybe I should abandon the I Ching as a method of coming up with numbers. I might use a 20 sided dice instead because the process is faster and I still get a number result that I can correspond with an action. I think the best thing to do now is create a flow chart of questions and possible outcomes and see if this helps me figure out all the questions I'm asking. I also don't think tissue paper is the best thing to use to test this out so maybe I'll just go straight to monoprinting once I've figured out the flowchart. Monoprinting is quite a quick process so I can always do a testing session and then do another monoprinting session for the final ones I want to use.

End of module evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation

BA(hons) Illustration

Module Code: Visual language OUIL404 Visual Language

Name: Abigail Woolley

Student ID: aw258410

Please identify where the evidence for each of the learning outcomes is within your submission and how well you feel you have met the learning outcomes. Please also grade yourself in relation to the learning outcomes using terms:

> poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent (Note- This is so that the team have an understanding of how well you feel you have done. It is not an indication of the actual grade you may receive)

Learning Outcome	Evidenced where? Blog, Sketchbook, Roughs Final Illustrations, development sheets etc.  (No more than 75 words)	Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent
4A5 Demonstrate an awareness of visual literacy and visual language in relation to drawing, image making and the visual investigation of ideas.	Blog, sketchbook	Satisfactory
4B4 Identify and evaluate appropriate principles, processes and media in relation to set problems and individual creative concerns.	Blog, sketchbook	satisfactory
4C5 Develop and present a body of work that demonstrates an ability to practically investigate and apply identified visual principles through visual research.	Blog, sketchbook	satisfactory
4D4 Effectively communicate informed opinions and critical awareness through appropriate methods of documentation, reflection and self-evaluation.	blog	satisfactory

Evaluation (See guidance below for more information)

You are required to write a 500 word evaluation of this module.

Overall I feel like I have learnt a lot from this module but I haven’t produced a lot of work that I’m proud of or shown this learning through my work. I feel like what I have learnt from this module I have ended up applying to other modules more so than this one. I think I might have struggled to properly engage or get into this module because it’s been spread out over such a long period of time, unlike the other modules which I have found easier to engage with. I think line quality might be the most important thing that I’ve learnt from visual language. I barely use fine liners now and instead use an ink brush pen most of the time because the variety in line quality is so much more varied and expressive. Another useful aspect of this module for me was the photoshop workshops which taught me a lot more about how to best use the program. Overall I can’t really think of any outcomes that I am proud of from this module. However, the sessions where we looked at other artists work and analysed how they’ve used certain techniques in their work were really interesting for me. Although this learning isn’t reflected in my work, the discussions in class and listening to other people’s opinions on the result of these techniques taught me a lot about the importance of the mechanics of image-making. I think my main problem with this module was probably time management. I struggled to get into the habit of being on top of blogging and work since it’s something I tended to only think about on Tuesdays, the rest of the week I would generally just be working on whatever other module we had going on at that time. I think that time management is a problem I’ve overcome with my more recent modules but I don’ think I dealt with it within this one. Also, I think that because a lot of the tasks were quite small, weekly ones that I didn’t put as much effort in as I should have done. Visual language has taught me a lot about the basics of drawing and image making that I didn’t know before starting this degree, and I think that now when I look at illustrations I have a much deeper understanding of the development and choices an artist has made when making their image. My new understanding of the importance of line quality and composition and all the different elements that make up an image will be applied in all future modules, including the one I’m working on at the moment. I think one of the most significant things I’ve learnt from this module is just how varied illustrations can be and that there isn’t one “correct” way to make a good illustration.

Evaluation Guidance

This should be a reflective summary of your experience across the module

-       Overall, how well do you feel you have engaged with this module?

-       What learning took place? What was useful to you?

Be specific. New skills? New methods? New processes or approaches? Specific tasks or workshop days? How has breaking down the mechanics of image-making affected your practice?

-       What went well and why? What did you enjoy? What were you happy with as an outcome?

Be critical and analytical. Why did you enjoy it? Identify particular sessions or ways of working?

This could be ideas, solutions to problems, studentship or research. How well did you use the studio? Where did you invest the most energy? When did you feel positive and motivated?

-       What could you have done better?

What were the problems you faced? Were there some tasks that were more challenging than others? Did you overcome that challenge? This could be in reference to studentship, organization, blogging or studio practice.

-       Contextual research.

How have you used the analysis of other artists, peers or other creative practitioners to inform your own approach? What are the principles, ideas and approaches you have identified as relevant to you?

-       How can you apply what you have learnt here for future modules and projects?

Application and future thinking. Things you would do differently next time? What useful methods, processes and ideas will you take forward into the next module?

You may also want to consider:

Self-questioning: How did your thoughts and opinions change as you progressed through the module?

Feedback: What other people (tutors and peers) thought of work and how you responded to that feedback?

Research: Did you use contextual research to inform your ideas, ways of thinking or understanding of the challenges set. This may include further research of your subject matter, slides from the presentations or use of the library.