Reflective Writing, DVB 102
This reflection relates to DVB 102’s week 2-8 and all processes and theories learned during this journey.
I’d like to preface this reflection by stating that I quite literally know nothing about anything to do with graphic design. I am an industrial designer, I think in 3D and have only ever used 2D to communicate said 3D information. I’ve only ever drawn on paper before in black and white pen and pencil to any great extent. These drawings rarely ever consisted of any harmonies beyond the communication of a physical shape for a product. As such, everything this semester had to offer was a complete drop into the unknown for myself and was often confusing relating to composition of images.
Beginning with week 2, I’d recently purchased my digital tablet and wanted to try an entire semester exploring new drawing theories alongside a new method of illustration. I have documented objects transitioning through time before. These objects are mostly product’s displaying their features for the benefit of communication to the user/client. I had never done it to truly explore documenting an actual phase change for the sake of recording v information, rather than displaying an unrealised concept. Pencil was a tool I was used to in the flesh, but unfamiliar with on a touchscreen. Acceleration and deceleration with a rougher surface was ingrained in my muscle memory, along with tools like tilting the pencil, weight of the pencil and general spacing of lines in relation to the thickness of the pencil. Accomplishing the same tasks on a totally new medium took some serious adjusting to, with results that showed my newfound ineptitude regarding both this process and medium. I learned that I should not attempt to take my knowledge of paper to the tablet, but re-invent my understanding of the tool.
Week 3’s pen exercises contained some general concepts I had used previously, but not explored in-depth, specifically relating to the recording of a fictional story. As stated earlier I have used recording conceptual information taking place over time in pen before, but this exercise required me to add extra communication features regarding settings, time-line markers and other features not yet used. I decided to recount a story my friend had told me regarding himself drinking for the first time and vomiting only after the second beer. I found myself really enjoying using the cross-hatching method. I found it aesthetically pleasing when used correctly, unfortunately on a tablet I struggled to give it the character it deserved. As a result it pushed me away from using it in future in a tablet drawing unless I could guarantee the lines are parallel. I believe I have a different set of expectations between the quality of finish between pen and tablet.
In week 4 we explored colour theories. I loved this, I knew nothing of colour theory. Previously I just chose “what looked nice” to myself. Understanding the relationships between colours, their values and how they interact was incredible, specifically the relation to RGB and CYMK. I have a fascination and love with colours in image creation, yet never was satisfied with what I could create with what I knew about them. As a result I was always in a long distance relationship. I found myself physically seeing the improvement in my colour use simply by knowing general theory given to us in class. I’m now drastically more confident using split complementary, complementary, triad and square colour combinations and harmonies and enjoying myself drawing now that I understand this. The collage was a challenging endeavour, as I was at a complete loss as to where to begin. After consulting with Adrian regarding my initial draft, he gave me the feedback that “It was too similar to an image composite rather than a collage,” and re-made portions of the poster to reflect this. I applied a number of harmonies revolving around the skin and beer ring. I used split complementary from the skin to develop the background’s colour, the child’s clothing and beer ring to emphasise the beer ring. I trust I truly encapsulated what was required from a collage in the end, but am unsure.
Week 5’s lino printing exercise I also greatly enjoyed. I do wood working as a pastime hobby and am used to quite thick and chunky chisels, so using finer, thinner tools to create a 2D art piece was something I greatly enjoyed. I have a fascination with the history of machines and tools, relishing at the chance to use the Albion press designed by Richard Whittaker Cope in the print room. I enjoyed the inconsistencies and artefacts created during the pressing process so much I created a number of additional lino patterns to print, along with recording the texture of a simple inked piece of paper. I used these to assist in the creation of the two posters used in the final tasks of that week. Developing a different scene by taking the physical into the digital was a fun experience, but quite challenging as the options where nigh-limitless. Due to this I remained quite timid in exploration beyond the colour realm which I greatly enjoyed from week 4’s content. The lino printing itself was pleasurable, but it taught me that image creation is not relegated to the written and drawn graphics made by the hand. After this unit, I intend to explore other methods of image creation and to be more flexible with how I interpret image design.
Week 7’s content was interesting, as is an open brief regarding the development of a self-image. Once again I was stumped by the limitless bounds given to us by digital image editing. I chose a magenta-red as my colour of choice as I quite like deep, complex, rarely displayed colours and a cube as my object as I am a very CAD oriented creator, you almost always start with a square. I re-used some of week 5’s inkings to create an interesting black shade for my self-image. Picking an animal was challenging as I feel no direct relation to any animal and rather to a machine. I chose plans for CNC machines and layered them over my face, using the multiply tool to create an interesting dynamic between existing dark spots. The coloured portrait uses a complimentary set of colours I learned from week 4.
I really enjoyed learning about these concepts, but there was simply too much for me to absorb during the semester. These ideas will require exploration after semester 2 has finished.
