Self Reflection

This project helped me understand just how many steps it takes to create even simple works like zines. The process of planning, sketching, illustrating, fixing text, editing, and then printing and binding drove me insane at some points because I didn’t realize how much thought goes into this. It was still very entertaining despite the hard work. 

I’m glad I didn’t choose a frustrating topic or one that would bring my mood down. I believe my content is uplifting and positive to draw. However, I wish I had used a less realistic approach for the art style. Sketching everything out was a rigorous process, and the only reason I finished on time was because my friends acted as chaperones and made sure I sat with them to complete it. Next time, I'll keep in mind to use a more simplified and abstract art style instead of something you'd find in graphic novels. 

I really hope the message I was trying to convey came through properly in the zine. My goal was to create something that would help girls and women reminisce about their childhoods, evoking fond memories and a sense of nostalgia. At the same time, I wanted to address the concerns and anxieties associated with entering womanhood, offering reassurance and encouragement. By reflecting on the innocence and simplicity of childhood, I aimed to provide a contrast to the often daunting aspects of growing up. I hoped to create a sense of continuity, showing that the strength and joy from our younger years can carry us through the challenges of adulthood.

I actually managed my time well for this task, which is something I'm not usually good at. Even though this project overlapped with my optional module, I managed to sketch and edit everything in time, leaving a few days to spare for printing. I underestimated the difficulty of the printing stage, so perhaps I should've allocated more time for that. Additionally, I didn't know how to bind a book, so I had to ask around for help. 

Since the symposium, I've printed and bound two more copies of the book myself, which I'm keeping as gifts for my family.

At the beginning, I wasn't sure what to make of this task. It felt too open, and the guidelines weren't strict enough. I've always struggled with projects that lack strict rules because I usually don't know where to start, and it all seems too overwhelming. I often feel like I don't know myself well enough to just start brainstorming ideas when someone says to draw anything I want.

The albums provided a structured yet flexible approach that allowed me to express myself creatively while also narrowing down my interests. This method helped me delve deeper into self-reflection and channel my emotions into art in a way I had never done before. I gained a profound understanding of the lyrics, uncovering layers of meaning that resonated with my personal experiences. This process revealed why I was so attached to those two particular songs, shedding light on my emotional connection to the music. All these revelations were instrumental in shaping and informing the creation of my final piece for the brief, allowing me to infuse it with a depth of meaning and personal insight that I hadn't achieved in previous projects. 

The questions and tasks we had to answer definitely opened my mind and helped me break free from black-and-white thinking. It was during this part of the project that I started conceptualizing a final piece. The eye-opening tasks we were made to do played a significant role in this shift. These activities pushed me to explore different perspectives and ideas, ultimately inspiring the direction of my final work. They encouraged me to think more deeply and creatively, laying the groundwork for the piece I eventually created.

I love how my canvas turned out and immediately hung it up on my wall. I knew I wanted to return to traditional painting for the final piece since I hadn't done it in a while. Additionally, I didn't want it to be just a canvas; I wanted to build more around it and create something that told a deeper story. I aimed for a soft yet raw, haunting look in the piece. I think I managed to convey that through the girl's relaxed body, juxtaposed with her injuries and the wounded dog beside her. The contrast between the serene posture and the evident pain was meant to evoke a sense of vulnerability and resilience, capturing a moment of quiet strength amidst adversity. This project has been a significant step in exploring my ability to blend narrative and emotion into my art.

I absolutely disliked working on the live brief. Not because of the brief itself; I was actually very excited about Anorak. It was just a difficult two weeks when the brief had launched. The NHS was late with my prescription, so I was unmedicated during it. This makes it hard for me to stay motivated and actually think of ideas. Most days were spent lying in bed, ignoring my work, and the rest I struggled to start putting pen to paper. Ultimately, I had to come up with something in the last two days of the project when I'd gotten my prescription again. I'm somewhat satisfied with what I'd drawn considering the time frame, but obviously, I look at it as a wasted opportunity where I could've done much more. So far, I'm blaming it on unfortunate circumstances and trying to move on.

I'm also not used to children's art styles and concepts. I usually stick to anatomy, realism, and hatching as part of my techniques, so this was a huge shift for me. I had to reteach myself designing, colors, and composition. It's something I still want to improve on in the next few years.

Despite the initial apprehension about collaborating, I actually had a great time with this brief. It might be because I was partnered up with my friends, and we typically work together seamlessly. We can get projects done quickly but also have fun along the way, sharing jokes and stories as we brainstorm ideas. It's even more surprising that I enjoyed the project since I'm not particularly fond of history. However, being in a group made it easier since I didn't have to do any of the research, which is what I usually find tedious. Instead, I could focus on aspects that I'm more comfortable with, like brainstorming concepts and contributing to the creative process.

Moreover, working on this brief provided me with a new perspective on history. While I still may not be a history enthusiast, I gained a deeper appreciation for how historical events and themes can be creatively interpreted and presented. This collaborative experience also taught me valuable lessons in teamwork and communication, as we navigated through different ideas and opinions to create a cohesive final product. Overall, it was a refreshing experience that challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and work collaboratively in a way that I hadn't before.

I do wish we had started earlier and delved deeper into books, movies, and articles together. It would have been beneficial to research more about the topic and ensure our concepts were more accurate. Our initial ideas were somewhat vague and centered around common trivia about air raid shelters. In hindsight, I also wish we had focused more on one idea rather than spreading our efforts across three.

Now that the three of us have decided to continue the animations through into the summer internship, we've been tasked with covering all three of our ideas. However, this presents a significant challenge considering we only have three people in the group, with one member being away for most of the summer and myself also being part of the summer internship. Additionally, we need to explore various styles of animation to use for each idea since we hadn't created mock-up animations for the presentation.

Moving forward, I believe it will be crucial for us to streamline our efforts, prioritize our tasks effectively, and communicate closely to ensure we can successfully execute all three ideas within the constraints of our resources and timelines.

I found the optional module to be the most enjoyable part of the course. I have a keen interest in storyboarding, and I believe I might specialize in it later on. Prior to joining NTU and pursuing illustration, I had initially intended to pursue filmmaking and media. It's always been a passion of mine, but due to my limited experience in areas beyond basic editing, screenplay writing, and acting, I opted to continue with art and design instead. However, storyboarding presents the perfect fusion of both fields and feels like the right path for me to follow. It allows me to combine my love for visual storytelling with my background in art and design, offering a fulfilling and creative outlet that aligns with my interests and aspirations.

The book chosen for storyboarding also intrigued me. I had never delved into Roald Dahl's darker stories before, so it was a refreshing change for me, especially since I had already read most of his children's books. Despite the darker tone, the story had the potential for comedy and satire. There were numerous ways I could develop the storyboard and completely alter the atmosphere of the book. However, for my first official storyboard experience, I decided to stick closely to the original storyline. Drawing inspiration from Kubrick's style and Jordan Peele's camera direction, I aimed to capture the essence of the narrative while adding my own creative flair.

I realized that I may have gone overboard with the actual drawing part of it, making the shots resemble scenes from a graphic novel. Moving forward, I'm focusing on toning down my shading and colors, opting for quicker sketches for future storyboards. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is more, and simplicity can effectively convey the intended message.