Just my Type/ Music to my eyes- Week 1

This week I have started a new project. As part of the course, I was required to choose three subjects and go through a series of taster projects; one of which is visual communication in Illustration and Graphic Design. Because there is two areas within visual communication, I am required to do two projects within the three week deadline: 'Music to my eyes' and 'Just my type'.

'Music to my eyes' is the illustration project, which involves producing a CD cover for the song. 'Just quiver a little'. And 'Just my type' is the graphic design project that involves creating a new style of typography for the alphabet. I have made a start on my illustration project and I am focusing on using objects to show the viewer what the song is about and simplify the individual so the viewer doesn't base the song on the individual's appearance. I have also looked at the graphic design project and have decided to use the theme 'manipulation' because it gives me less limitations with what I am able to do; I am able to manipulate materials and images and change their original form. I want to focus on exploring material and manipulating objects into typography. I want my work to have purpose in my work because I think finding your own client is important; it makes it easier to figure out the themes I am using and the messages I am trying to communicate to the viewer. My uncle is the chairman of the Conservative Club, Weston Super Mare, and he has asked me to design a magazine cover. I know that this is not part of the project, however, I intend to create the alphabet especially for the Conservative Club, and then use the font I have created in the magazine.

I think I need to do more research however it has been frustrating this week because doing both projects makes me feel as though I am not doing much work and I have to remember what each project is about, which is also very time consuming.

Next week, I will sketch my ideas in my sketchbook and explore different materials in the middle of the week. I think I should do more research in order to strengthen my work. I will also do further reach into the Conservative Club, so I can gain ideas of their values and background.

I have been in a workshop this week for life drawing, which involved using a stick and ink. I mixed water with ink and used a tissue to dab the outline of the individual, which was effective because I am able to have a vague idea of the shape and position that the individual is in. Once I have made my markings, I used a stick and ink to draw the outline and details of the individual. I like the effect it has because you don’t need to worry about outlining the markings you have made, which makes the drawing look expressive and abstract.

I like my first drawing because I was able to draw in the face; normally my drawings don’t include faces because I don’t have enough time, however, I have decided to focus more on the individual’s features, giving my drawing character and personality. I also like this image because it is proportioned well, which means that my drawing is becoming more accurate and will have a large influence on my work because I plan to draw Clementine (singer) by hand. I dislike it however because it is unfinished, which means I need to work on my time management. I also dislike it because there is no shading or tone within my work, which I had been advised to use in my next drawing.

My next drawing has more tone. After I draw the outline of the individual, I dabbed the drawing with watered-down ink and produced layers of tone. I dislike it however because the ink kept bleeding, which destroys the detail in the drawings; however, I could avoid this by blending those smudges, which will create darker tones as well as preserving the detail. After doing this, I should wait for the ink to dry and draw in the details. I also dislike this drawing because the model has no face, destroying the personality and character that I had in my first image. However, I have managed my time effectively and the extra tones makes the image look authentic and three-dimensional.

This is a new technique which has inspired me to use raw materials in order to gain different textures and markings.