As this has been the first module that has taken place over a long period of time, it took a fair while to adjust to the pace of producing work as well as taking a more independent approach to research, planning and making. This has taught me ways to maintain motivation, and make the best of the time available to explore as many potential possibilities that will contribute to a final outcome that reflects the best of my ability.
Learning how to use Adobe After Effects has been an essential foundation tool into creating basic animations, in the form of a 15 second sting. Although I struggled to get the grasp of this programme initially, I have successfully combined a series of moving images with a soundtrack to advertise a documentary on my chosen author, Oliver Sacks. Now that I know the basic functions of After Effects, I have the ability to animate any future work, which will demonstrate a broader range of skills in my portfolio.
Putting an emphasis on printed processes has also helped to broaden my skills. Having the confidence to independently produce screen prints has been a really big step for me, as I often avoided the process with the fear of complexity and gaining a low quality outcome. I was also encouraged to use printed textures within my digital work through the mono-print process, which increased my attention to detail and care when intricately crafting marks that would be applicable to the characters in my sting.
With the project being based around the life of one person, I have noticed that my work has become more personal and sensitive in a number of ways. As Oliver Sacks practiced as a neurologist, I became very intrigued about the patients he worked with, and the complexity of the conditions that they suffered with. Reading his books helped me a great deal to empathise with these patients and their families about the immense frustrations of the urges and confusions associated with day-to-day tasks . I developed a strong interest in wanting to eradicate existing stigmas associated with these conditions, and make sufferers feel less isolated by informing others about the experiences of having a neurological condition, and how difficult it can be to cope with such debilitating symptoms; I wanted this principle to be the main concept of my work. Illustrating symptoms of neurological conditions, without being too literal was a challenge within itself, so I decided to take a metaphorical and narrative approach within my prints and sting, to try and visually explain what someone might be experiencing if they have a neurological condition. I have found previously that my work using vectors has been successful, so I carried forward this process which enabled a clean, crisp and clear outcome.
Having a long period of time to work on this project has encouraged me to try out a wider range of processes and techniques, which has allowed me to grow out of my passive habit of just going with my first idea due to the worry of not finishing in time. This has contributed to increasing my level of patience and self confidence in my creative ability. I also have developed a greater understanding of the importance of visual communication due to the fact that my subject matter is so personal and sensitive to such a wide audience; in future work I will capitalise on my tactile and open minded approach to developing powerful and informative concepts.
It has been difficult to appreciate the work I have produced at times due to having looked at it for so long, and slipping into the mindset of thinking that ‘there will be plenty of time to make amendments’ as opposed to having short, quick turnaround briefs. I struggled a lot at the beginning of the project with expressing my knowledge and understanding of Oliver Sacks through the visual journal, as I was simultaneously intimidated by the quantity of work that my peers had produced, and having the deadline so far away that I couldn’t put into perspective how much work, and what kind of work that I needed to be doing. In hindsight, I have learnt not to compare myself to others, to just go at my own pace and enjoy myself; I found that the quality of my work suffered when I wasn’t in a good mindset. Working to long deadlines has encouraged me to plan my time more efficiently in a way that I plan my own flexible and realistic deadlines so that I am able to keep on track of my progress at a steady and stress-free pace, resulting in a higher quality outcome.
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