INTERPRETING THE THEME
The theme for this exam project was 'Inside, Outside, In between. And my chosen outcomes were book jackets for George Orwell novels '1984', 'Animal Farm' and 'A Clergyman's daughter'. The objective was to be minimalistic- representing the book using minimal objects. So, when it comes to my final outcome, the minimalistic appearance allows the reader to understand the possible theme of the book (Inside), but at the same time the front cover does leave unanswered questions about the plot, the protagonist and antagonist (Outside, In between). So in a way, the viewer is "in and out" of knowing what the book is really about, and only when they read the book do they understand.
RECORDING OBSERVATIONS
To record observations, I collected both primary and secondary imagery, as well as observational sketches from these images. This included timed drawing exercises, using different media. Also, I explored mark making and collages.
IDEA DEVELOPMENT
For '1984', I wanted to create this aggressive brutal look.
So initially, I did some digital experiments, one of which involved horizontal and vertical panels, with a black and white photo of a subject.
and another one using multiple exposure, setting the different light settings. Although they were successful experiments, I thought that they were still too simplistic, and I thought I could try something more complex, that requires more skill.
MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES
For this project, I have used a range of materials. In my workbook, I used fine liner pens and sketching pencils for the observational studies, as well as graph and coloured paper, newspapers, old envelops and magazine cutouts for my collages. As for the digital, Photoshop and Illustrator were mainly used. However, I did make use of an iPad to use iFontmaker to create my own font. But out of all of these, I would say that Photoshop and Illustrator helped me to realise my final ideas, especially with the Brush tool and the variety of shapes you can use there. With Photoshop in general, there were some constraints. For instance, the layers system took a while to get used to. If I wanted to change colours I filled with, and I didn't make a new layer, then instead of changing an individual feature, everything else would be changed. So to avoid having this problem in the exam, I had to make sure that when I wanted to add something new, I would need to create a new layer so that it can be changed a later point.
INFLUENCES
For this project, I had three main influence: Chris Parks, Rodchenko (Constructivism) and Clunie Reid.
With Chris Parks, it was his great attention to detail and his varying brush marks to convey different textures. Despite the lack of colour in some of his works, the detail always makes up for it. This is what I want to try and mimic in the exam.
In regards to Alexender Rodchenko and Constructivism, I like the limited colours, bright vibrant colours to give a sense of alarm and the bold typeface that grabs the viewer's attentions, as seen with Russian propaganda posters. This is what I want to try and incorporate in the covers, particularly '1984' and 'Animal Farm', as they are politically themed novels.
With Clunie Reid, her illustrations include these thickly outlined geometric shapes with straight lines close to each other, which I thought this gave her work an aggressive and forbidding appearance. This is the feature that I would like to include in all three book covers to convey an aggressive look.
FINAL PIECE
As I said before, I am hoping to create three book jackets for three of George Orwell's novels: '1984', 'Animal Farm' and 'A Clergyman's daughter'. For all of these book jackets, I intend to work in the style of Chris Parks's screen printing, and use the different brush marks where appropriate. They will be created digital mainly via Photoshop and Illustrator and possibly using an iPad for iFontmaker. As the three books have differing meanings and themes, the imagery will be different. Firstly, 'A Clergyman's daughter' is about religion, submission and liberation, so I thought using the main character on a crucifix would be good to show the submission aspect. For '1984', the citizens' every move is watched by the political party in power, so having eyes is an important element to include to show this. For 'Animal Farm', it is inspired by Russian politics, particularly Socialist ideals and Soviet Union, so the propaganda element is essential in conveying this. For this, making use of heavy lines, like Clunie Reid and stars are frequently used objects in propaganda, so I will include these.
The theme for this exam project was 'Inside, Outside, In between. And my chosen outcomes were book jackets for George Orwell novels '1984', 'Animal Farm' and 'A Clergyman's daughter'. The objective was to be minimalistic- representing the book using minimal objects. So, when it comes to my final outcome, the minimalistic appearance allows the reader to understand the possible theme of the book (Inside), but at the same time the front cover does leave unanswered questions about the plot, the protagonist and antagonist (Outside, In between). So in a way, the viewer is "in and out" of knowing what the book is really about, and only when they read the book do they understand.
RECORDING OBSERVATIONS
To record observations, I collected both primary and secondary imagery, as well as observational sketches from these images. This included timed drawing exercises, using different media. Also, I explored mark making and collages.
IDEA DEVELOPMENT
For '1984', I wanted to create this aggressive brutal look.
So initially, I did some digital experiments, one of which involved horizontal and vertical panels, with a black and white photo of a subject.
and another one using multiple exposure, setting the different light settings. Although they were successful experiments, I thought that they were still too simplistic, and I thought I could try something more complex, that requires more skill.
MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES
For this project, I have used a range of materials. In my workbook, I used fine liner pens and sketching pencils for the observational studies, as well as graph and coloured paper, newspapers, old envelops and magazine cutouts for my collages. As for the digital, Photoshop and Illustrator were mainly used. However, I did make use of an iPad to use iFontmaker to create my own font. But out of all of these, I would say that Photoshop and Illustrator helped me to realise my final ideas, especially with the Brush tool and the variety of shapes you can use there. With Photoshop in general, there were some constraints. For instance, the layers system took a while to get used to. If I wanted to change colours I filled with, and I didn't make a new layer, then instead of changing an individual feature, everything else would be changed. So to avoid having this problem in the exam, I had to make sure that when I wanted to add something new, I would need to create a new layer so that it can be changed a later point.
INFLUENCES
For this project, I had three main influence: Chris Parks, Rodchenko (Constructivism) and Clunie Reid.
FINAL PIECE
As I said before, I am hoping to create three book jackets for three of George Orwell's novels: '1984', 'Animal Farm' and 'A Clergyman's daughter'. For all of these book jackets, I intend to work in the style of Chris Parks's screen printing, and use the different brush marks where appropriate. They will be created digital mainly via Photoshop and Illustrator and possibly using an iPad for iFontmaker. As the three books have differing meanings and themes, the imagery will be different. Firstly, 'A Clergyman's daughter' is about religion, submission and liberation, so I thought using the main character on a crucifix would be good to show the submission aspect. For '1984', the citizens' every move is watched by the political party in power, so having eyes is an important element to include to show this. For 'Animal Farm', it is inspired by Russian politics, particularly Socialist ideals and Soviet Union, so the propaganda element is essential in conveying this. For this, making use of heavy lines, like Clunie Reid and stars are frequently used objects in propaganda, so I will include these.
As you can see, in this, I have used the screen printing illustration, done on Photoshop, inspired by Chris Parks. I have used a range of brush marks, and sizes using the Brush tool, and the close lines on the eyes like Clunie Reid. However this one does not have the propaganda elements as it is not a politically themed book like the other two.
This experiment isn't thoroughly finished but, it is similar to what I want to achieve by the end of the exam. I have used the typical alerting colours red, orange and yellow, and the main character (in the centre), has a shadow over half of his face. The rats by his side are what he is scared of, and are used a means to torture him. The silhouetted people represent the public who are controlled by the party, and whose activities are closely monitored. Like Chris Parks, I have used different brushes for different textures.
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