Creative heroes and Villains' outcome

Final piece for Introduction to graphic Arts module.

Analysing Practice: Critical Evaluation

Critical Evaluation

Emerging aims 

My early ideas for the project were quite broad. They were themes around time, space (environments), narratives and people.  Over the course of time, I narrowed it down to pattern and repetition. I got this idea because throughout Perec’s narrative there are reoccurring things that he mentions. In particularly, the pigeons and the buses and where they are going. Later, I established that the message I wanted to communicate was a comment about the everyday and routines.  Similarly one of the themes in the book were the everyday and making the mundane extraordinary.  Although there are some things that repeat from each day,  no two moments happen exactly the same.

Research 

I did some research on conceptualising pattern. I thought it was important to understand what patterns mean psychologically and what effect it has on the viewer. Alan Fletcher in “The Art of looking sideways” describes pattern as a single element that is repeated. This is illustrated with a series of pictures of 1 shape being used tessellated to form different patterns but by using only that 1 shape.  (See page 8)

“Patterns introduce a degree of control into this chaotic world” – Alan Fletcher

In addition to this, patterns are associated with order and safety because patterns repeat the same and are therefore predictable. (It is easy to see what comes next) I feel this helps reinforce the message with what I am trying to communicate in my final outcome. The ideas of “safety and order” help reinforce that routines are a good thing because the things we do everyday is like a “safety net”, it’s non-threatening, repetitive and predictable. Similarly to how patterns repeat themselves and are all the same.

Methodology 

I started drawing out different elements based on the things Perec mentions in the first chapter. My intentions were to talk about the space with illustrations. I put them into a composition whilst paying attention to visual depth; I made the things that I thought were significant stand out, and the little details to add interest. When I filled in the piece with two colors, I noticed what stroke me were the positive and negative shapes of the bird.  I thought it was interesting blending positive and negative shapes into each other because it created a different shape altogether.

I took this further by putting silhouettes into the negative space so that there were shapes within the shapes. For example there is traffic background in the shapes of the people, there are building contours in the shape of the bird and there are shapes of trees in the shapes of a group of pigeons. After this, I focused on positive and negative shapes of birds because I felt they have a strong aesthetically pleasing shape. There is something about birds that are graceful, how they fly and how mankind was fascinated with being able to fly.

I noticed that the drawings that I did at this point was like screen printing because I’m working in flat layers of colors.

And I saw some interesting pattern designs done with layers in the book called “The Fundamentals of illustration” by Lawrence Zeegan Crush. The artist cut into layers of card that show through to create an image. Similarly, I looked into a artist called Henri Mattisee that also used a similar approach by making a collage out of colored cut shapes. What I found this technique appealing was the fact that you can see and feel the texture of the shapes where the negative shapes have been cut. You could almost feel the craftsmanship in the making of it. The handmade aspect of it made it feel special or aesthetic in a way.


I decided to incorporate this into my own work and therefore cut out the different shapes I had in my previous drawing. (shapes of cars, birds, people, buildings etc) I tried out different compositions such as spacious, arranged in subject matter or just random. The color of the paper made a difference to the mood of the piece. For example, the red stood out the most and demands a lot of attention whereas the blue is more passive and relaxing.

With feedback from my lecturer and peers, they encouraged me to explore this further by repeating the same shape over and over again and think about: What is pattern? What would happen if you changed the scale? What negative shapes does it produce?

This led me on to produce cut stencils of my own with a scalpel like the ones I saw in “The fundamentals of Illustration.” Firstly, I noticed the color choice was important. When I used the primary colors, it made the mood feel inviting, happy or friendly. In contrast when I used darker reds and greys it made it feel more immediate as if the birds were flying towards you. In terms of pattern, the birds repeated did create some nice positive and negative shapes.

I also tried to incorporate shapes within shapes; basically a bird with a pattern of birds within it. This shows a sense of “repeat, repeat, repeat”, again and again which is essentially what pattern usually does. I felt this worked well except it would be better if the scale of the birds were smaller because they look too big to be repeating.

Effectiveness of the work produced

I think my end outcome was successful but to an extent. I think the way I’m using pattern to comment on the everyday and routines works well. The repetition in the patterns represents the repetitiveness of daily routine. I think I have used color well, the warm neutral colors help communicate that routine is a positive thing.

I feel that my work relates to the brief well because I’ve tried to incorporate similar themes into my work.  The main idea that I had explored were patterns but I feel if I had more time I could have explored this further. I’ve identified patterns as something being all the same, the next step would be to break those conventions and see what happens when you break that pattern. For example, on a routine basis we might have a tea everyday, but not every cup of tea is the same. Sometimes it’s perfect, other times there is spillage, or too much milk etc.  If I started to show some variation within pattern then this could make it more visually interesting and it would be pushing the boundaries of “What is pattern?”.

However, I feel pleased that I have tried a few mediums. Such as photography, drawing, hand cut stencils and going digital (Photoshop). Each one has a different purpose and are good for different things. For example, I found the stencils were good for moving around different elements to decide on composition, scale or the effect of color. Whereas the photography was good for telling a narrative: how objects tell you about the people who inhabit the space. On the other hand drawing is not necessarily good for realism but it can interpret a feel of a place with different mark making. If I had more time, I could have took this a bit further by using the laser cutters or doing some printmaking. It really would have been something I would be interested in doing.


I had a few relevant research material such as “the art of looking sideways”, “the fundamentals of illustration”, Henri Matisse’s work etc. I could have expanded this further by looking at the history of pattern and more designers work and how they use pattern.


In a sense, it has been an interesting journey, one that is worth carrying on pursuing in my own time. The beauty of it was that I didn’t know where this was going to lead me, when I started this project I didn’t think of pattern and repetition straight away. But by experimenting with different ideas and approaches, it led me onto this idea and I began to notice what I was really interested in. There were some new skills I learnt on the way, such as using a craft knife (without injuring myself). And a different way of thinking about things such as: challenging ideas, breaking conventions to see what would happen and to do broader research in the future to gain an awareness of the context that I am working in.

Implementation: Final outcomes

I made this pattern design on Photoshop

The reason I used Orange was because I want to give a feeling of comfort and warmth because I want to communicate that routines are good thing.

However, the orange seemed to stand out too much, so I chose a less saturated color. I went for a muted orange-brown, I feel this works better because it looks more neutral.

These are the final designs, this is just 1 tile. They could repeat indefinitely. I’ve alternated the colors to make it look more interesting. The hand cut imperfection to these shapes are good in a way because it shows that not every toast is same. If I had more time, I would have carried this idea further. “Same but different”

I felt the patterns I made were good but I was thinking back to when I created the bird within a bird cutout. I thought I could incorporate this idea into these patterns. Within the toast, there are patterns of toasts. And within the cup of tea, there are more cups of tea and vice versa.

The final output would be posters standing alongside each other. They work as a series because of the coherent color scheme that unifies them together. The 3 objects suggest routine because these are objects associated with waking up and eating breakfast or tea.

50 Things rough draft

Work in progress

Analysing Practice: Final piece designs

Analysing practice: for my final piece I'm going to make a series of patterns of everyday things to communicate the idea of routines and repetition. These are my hand cut designs at the moment, what do you think?

The reason I used Orange was because I want to give a feeling of comfort and warmth because I want to communicate that routines are good thing.

Analysing Practice: Patterns and shape 2

I tried patterns with different colors, the more muted and less bright colors change the mood of the peice. It feels more direct as if the birds are flying towards you. This stencil consist of 4 layers. I think I'm going to stick to this or 3 layers just so that I don't overcomplicate things.

I've also experimented with objects being within objects (to show repeatition.) In this peice the same bird is within the bird. I feel the contrast works well, but the birds need to be smaller.

I've also begun to see the interesting shapes between the birds. These look strong visually aswell.

Analysing Practice: Patterns and shape

This was my first attempts at using card to make shapes. I was trying out different ways of arranging objects. Such as, arranging ny subject matter, making it look busy, spacious, or making it random etc.

I got feedback from my lecturer and he advised to repeat the same shape and explore what happens to the pattern: the negative shapes around it, what would happen if you changed the scale? Just playing around with basically: what is pattern?

So I handcut out out some stencils:

I feel they wrok quite well. The Primary colors suggest a normality and the everyday and it also stands out quite well. Personally I feel the positive shapes (bottom picture) are stronger than the cutout shapes. Color is something I can use to communicate with.

Analysing Practice: Paper and card

I was quite interested in Henri Matisse's work, he was a French painter but because of his Arthietus he can no long paint. Instead, he cuts out shapes and creates collages with them. There is a sense of repeatition in his work similarly.

This technique is particularly useful for experimenting
- with different COMPOSTION
- with different TONE / COLOR
- basica elements of scale

Also, I've been reading 'The Fundamentals of Illustration' and this peice caught my eye. The artist was working with layers. The flat design looked like screen printing.

I will aim to experiment with pattern and shape in this style.

Pattern Research: Spia

From company Spia

Patterns featuring siloetthes of buildings in different colors.

A piece of work I had done that I draw similarity to.

Pattern Research: Leena Kisonen

Leena Kisonen on http://www.leenakisonen.com

She is a llistrator and design or makes patterns for a variety of clients.

Colorful, 2D design print for a bag. Use of shape, negative and positive.

Rectangle composition, positive and negative shapes.

Pattern research: Sarah Watts

Sarah Watts on wattsalot

In this piece she adds pattern into positive shapes of woodland animals. They are decorative and are to be printed on cushions, bags and aprons. 

UWE Superheroes and Villian's Research

Mark Farrows work

Nagi Noda's work

I've looked at different designers, ones that appealed to me are Mark Farrow and Nagi Noda. I decided what I like about them is: character, being innovative, visual aesthetic, being clear, clean design etc.

I've identified that these are the sort of rules I make for myself when I design a piece of work. When I make work I want to similarly make it stand out, look clear, have an interesting take on it.

UWE Analysing Practice drawings (pattern)

These drawings fit around the theme of positive/negative, dark and light, pattern.

UWE Analysing Practice designs drawings

I've been making illustrations based upon the first chapter of the book. Firstly, I drew all the different objects he mentions (see left) and then I put it into a composition. (see right) I've tried to create visual depth by having some elements big to stand out (and show importance) while having more detailed smaller elements that add interest. What I think worked particularly well was the positive/negative elements in the bottom right hand corner.

This is my more successful design. I've gone a bit further and put siloehette details into the positive shapes. For example, there are churches in the bird and cars in the people. I used black to create a greater contrast. I am interested in taking this further by playing around with pattern and positive and negative shapes.

UWE Analysing Practice Photo series

Today I have been taking photos of an object or a place that tells you something about the people who inhabit it. I am trying to tell a story.

I took pictures of things that people may not necessarily notice or stop to think about. 

A sucessful shot, the flat color’s are suitable. On a sunny day, the long shadows of the gate would be distracting.

The gate is shaped like a union jack, it has a certain significance to it. Its isolated and a anonymous subject. The only minor problem is that you’ve shot it slightly wonky, so maybe you can rotate it.

This piece works well with the picture of the gate. They are both like sculptures and 3D. This one tells a bit more of a human story. The windows on the top could be slightly distracting.

This piece works with the gate and the boxes. Put them together and it there is a theme going on. This shot tells a human story, a social interaction.

How did this road sign end up in the bushes? This is painted not a road sign. This fits into the theme.

50 Things list

My finalised 50 things have been established. I have categorised them by subject matter.

• RED: Entertainment
• PURPLE: Appearance
• BLUE: Food and Cuisine 
• GREEN: Hobbies
• ORANGE: Travel 
• CRIMSON: Personality and Facts

50 things development

Structure

This part needs a lot of work still, planning to do something a bit more complex than a spider diagram

I've come up with some illustration designs:

UWE: 50 Things ideas

Some rough sketches of ideas: