OUIL603 - End of Module Evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation

BA(hons) Illustration

Module Code: extended Practice OUIL603

Name: Ian Fulcher

Student ID:257204

Learning Outcome	Evidenced where? Blog, Sketchbook, Roughs Final Illustrations, development sheets etc.  (No more than 75 words)		Your grade                   Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent
6A3 Understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competences, some of which will be informed by recent research in the discipline. Knowledge and Understanding - RESEARCH	Extensive sketchbook research, development work and test prints. Thorough documentation on my blog.		Excellent
6B3 Articulate and synthesise their knowledge and understanding attributes and skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, further study, research and self fulfilment. (Cognitive Skills - EVALUATION & REFLECTION	Constant reflection, self analysis and re-evaluating through out my blog. One to one tutor sessions to discuss my progress, also documented on my blog.		Excellent
6C3 Develop appropriate methods of professional presentation combining visual, verbal and written techniques.. Practical & Professional Skills - VISUAL QUALITY)	All of my issu presentation boards are a made to a high, professional standard and are consistent through the whole module- with careful consideration going into the layout of type and imagery every time.Product mock-ups are also a frequent sight.		Excellent
6C4 Demonstrate their ability to synthesise analytical and intuitive approaches with a high level of process and professional skill. Practical & Professional Skills - VISUAL QUALITY)	Physical prints will be part of my submission as evidence, along with my sketchbook. This also includes size and layout test prints.		Excellent

Analyse information and experiences,formulate independent judgements and articulate reasoned arguments through review and evaluation. (Key Transferable Skills: EVALUATION)

As always, my OUIL603 Blog, summative evaluation and Final Project report.

Very good

Having spent the majority of summer working on self-initiated projects and competition briefs in order to hit the ground running with this module I was already raring to go and keen to get involved with as many tasks as time would allow me to and to NOT STOP! I only had 9 months left, I needed to make the most of it, as the party would soon be over. I'd already set myself the targets of building my experience with animating, live mural painting and working with professionals -  and I soon found opportunities to reach those targets.

Having been part of mural painting teams during the summer and winter I wanted to see if I could fly solo entering a number of mural competitions and even winning one. Having to paint my design in real-life was a challenge in itself, but also there were learning curves in how to use projection equipment and time-lapse camera technology, both of which I’m pretty foreign to. Budgeting for art materials, and dealing face to face with clients was also something I became more familiar with - it was a great experience all round, especially as they were so happy with my work - but I realise it's not always that plain sailing.

This lead to ongoing design work with muralist Pete Barber, who I’d worked with during the summer. There's definite potential for this partnership to continue beyond uni, as he’s in pretty constant demand and needs someone to design the murals he goes and paints. He's also offered me the chance to assist him on site at a couple go future mural jobs in London and Wales.So fingers crossed!

In the less successful section would be my contribution to the Out of Order Exhibition. I’d put a ton of time and effort into designing and distributing the physical promo material for the event, and online promo. Sadly when it came to actually making work for the show, I wish I hadn’t bothered, as I didn’t really do myself any favours, opting for a concept wth a weird personal back story, that was never going to make a connection with anyone viewing it. It was becoming more apparent that I'm much better suited to client given briefs than my own self-initiated work. So I targeted briefs with restrictions and clear purposes/outcomes/ functions.

This included some collaborative animation work with Level 6 animation students - for the Wellington st lifting tower Xmas projection project. This gave me a great chance to have my animated work projected onto a huge surface and seen by many during the busy Xmas period. Although happy with my output, I never did get around to revising the field of animation after that.

This was partly down to a decision I had to make,; if I was struggling to decide on the methods in which I should produce my work (i.e.: screening printing, animating, painting, laser cut etc..) I just simply ask myself “is this going to benefit my work..?”

In most cases using analog production process to create my digital looking designs was not going to benefit my work. So there has been a distinct lack of handmade artwork made by myself this year. Which is a shame, but as I needed to focus on building my physical and digital portfolio I needed to fill it with my best work - and digital is what I do best. I can't really lie to myself anymore.

But the self-doubts and being over-critical of myself continued but it was good to speak to tutors (and classmates) as much as possible, to get their opinions and advice.Although getting too many opinions doesn’t always help - as mixed responses led to a fair bit of uncertainty when it came to how my final major project should look. But when it comes down to it, you just have to stick to your guns and go with what keeps you excited about making pictures, rather than always thinking about what other people want to see. So that’s what I did.

My Final Major project (an illustrated, educational book about the birds my dad and I spotted in Canada) was initially intended to be a much grander affair - with animations and layered, painted laser cuts flying about the place  - the actual outcome is a far more modest offering - most of the project being proposed and digitally mocked up as opposed to me submitting tangible items.

In that sense I reach the end of this module with a slight sense of failure and that I could've done much more, and nothing i do is very innovative. When I look around and see the work others have produced I certainly feel I’ve played too safe, and maybe a bit boring - and I should’ve left my comfort zone a bit further. Again though - my primary focus was on having a solid, high-quality portfolio full of work that I’m proud of and confident to go and show clients - and not a load of experimental showpiece work that is totally unlike any work I usually make. On that hand, I can feel a fair bit of success - and looking back I don’t think I could’ve squeezed a whole lot more in without compromising the quality of my output.