This module has involved a close integration of written and visual responses. This synthesis, in theory should better inform the work produced. I have found that my interest in technical drawings have indeed been facilitated by the focus of mechanical advances in the home media industry within my research. My original area of study was based around product obsolescence, I felt that this was far too vast a theme to tackle in 3000 words. I refined my topic to one example of apparent obsolescence, being cinema and home media. I immediately found that this specificity enabled me to produce more satisfactory drawings, and find more relevant books on the topic to fuel my essay research.
The vast majority of the work produced in the module has existed as analogue drawings, with the finalised imagery made in photoshop. I have not experienced any particular problems during production thanks to the foresight to print my final imagery a week before the deadline.
I have improved greatly in my use of digital-based line work. Following on from my developments within the responsive module, I continued to refine my application of the pen tool and customised photoshop brushes resulting in work that can be produced quicker, and with a greater consistency of line quality and quicker production time. Although I have produced less visual journal work in comparison to previous examples, I have found the process less laborious. The journal has been the format through which I have developed the synthesis between theory and practice, by exploring ideas and concepts. Similarly to my previous essay, I found that the research topic was highly invigorating and was a great incentive to spur on the developments. I also improved upon the proper use of academic sources, rather than a plethora of websites. While last year's essay contained minimal use of such sources, the essay for this module had a much stronger bibliography sourcing books that I found highly enjoyable.
My prime regret for this module is not producing my finalised imagery through analogue practice. As I have aforementioned, I continued my investigations into digital due to the successes in other modules. Perhaps the digital process was more appropriate due to the topic, but I would have liked to make use of the analogue developments present in my journal. I initially set out to write an essay that was not too preoccupied with historical trivia, however I feel as though this was often present within the writing. This historical distraction meant that I was unable to explore some more in-depth theories in regards to the simulacrum of cinema, or hybrid franchises. I would have liked to touch upon the topic of nostalgia, and the role it had upon various technological revivals, but perhaps I was right to refrain from too much topical deviation.
If I had the opportunity to revisit the module I would ensure that my essay and visual responses had a greater integration, perhaps to the extent that the two could be produced as a singular publication. I feel as though the illustrations I produced would have benefitted from being printed on a larger scale. My decision to produce hot-dog books reduced the over-all size I could print. The format of the book would also have allowed for the printing of a large design on the back, which I refrained from doing.
I would suggest that my project would have been improved if I added more informative text to the booklet. Again, the format of the hot-dog book prevented this, however a traditional bound booklet would have allowed for spreads of illustration and text, similarly to the book Aircraft of WW1 discussed in a previous blog post. I would suggest there was potential for producing moving image, considering the focus on cinema throughout the module. One of my earlier concepts involved appropriating waste materials, while to some extent I have touched upon this with the found VHS tapes, I would have liked extend this further.
To conclude, I am more or less pleased with what I have produced during the module. My time planning has meant that I have not rushed any particular part of production, and the imagery is satisfactorily finalised. While other modules have been prioritised during the length of CoP, I have ensured to habitually produce work within the visual journal. This consistency has led to an improved synthesis when writing the essay portion of the module, to the extent that I would draw in the journal when breaking from the essay.
No comments:
Post a Comment