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Delving deeper into Illustrator

Monday 18th February ‘19

Today, the session started with some extra research regarding our props for the Design for Script module whilst Craig circulated the class to gather what our ideas were.

Afterwards, we loaded illustrator back up and continued to practice with the pen tool. We started by quickly recapping what we had worked on previously and the skills learnt. This included using the pen tool to create straight lines with points and curved lines with smoother points.

We then proceeded to practice with the pen tool by combining both of these techniques together and creating a shape with both straight lines and curves.

Coincidentally, the random shape that I had created looked a lot like a lobster which worked out perfectly as Craig told us to turn this shape into some kind of animal or monster. I added some extra details to make it resemble a lobster best I can without altering the initial shape for a bit of fun and imagination. 

After this, we moved onto creating real life objects such as a T shirt (Or dress as mine turned out). I started by drawing a straight line with the pen tool so that we only had to design one half of the symmetrical object. I then drew the shape with a mixture of straight and curved lines. Once editing the anchor points to ensure I had it exactly how I wanted, I went to object, transform, reflect and moved into place next to the other half.

I then decided to have some fun and found this pattern in the fill section which gave the dress a realistic feel (and a laugh for me!).

Finally, as a big challenge, Craig asked us to try to draw a fork! I figured it was worth a try and overall, was quite pleased with the end outcome even if it is slightly wonky.

In summary, I really enjoyed this lesson! I believe that we finally started onto some techniques that I found challenging and stimulating. This makes me a lot more excited for my future digital lessons as I believe I learn new things quite fast and tend to excel with digital work. 

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Reflection

Friday 15th February ‘19

This Friday just gone, we spent the session with Andrew and Tim reflecting on last weeks model making session.

The session started by us retrieving our foam board models and evaluating them in terms of how successful we believe we were in the task.

Andrew asked us a series of questions in order for us to judge our work and dictate what we would change if done again. We then discussed how valuable it would be to redo the task in order to make our models better quality.

However, we decided that this was a wasted task as most of the models were of good quality. Instead, we revisited a floor plan and extended elevation which we were given previously and decided to create a model of this in the next session instead.

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Model Making

Friday 8th February ‘19

This Friday we had a model making demonstration by Tim Bailey.

We began the session by reading through two booklets regarding model making and the tools needed to create a good model. Tim talked us through the best way to cut foam board in order to get a nice smooth edge. This actually helped me a lot as I often struggle to cut foam board in a perfect way that he achieved.

Tim then proceeded to construct a set structure with equal sizes of foam board. After observing for some time, we set out to create our own foam board set models. I started by cutting a foam board piece 15cm X 15cm which would be the base, followed by another two pieces. I made sure that one piece was 5mm smaller than the other on length as when constructed it would hang over the edge of the base otherwise.

After constructing the main frame, I then cut small supports to go around the edges of the base where I would then place another base piece on top of. This would act as a stage section where I could possibly install lights underneath the base.

I was shown a great but simple tip by Tim when it comes to applying glue to foam board. He said it’s incredibly easier to apply the glue with your finger as it can be controlled a lot more. This helped my model making a great deal as when too much glue is applied, it definitely ruins the model and surfaces of the model.

The final part to the model making session was to simply add a bit more ‘oomph’ to the model in order to make it look more like a set rather than just some foam board walls.

Overall, I absolutely loved this session as model making and working at a smaller scale is something that I love to do. I also learnt lots of skills in this session such as the glue trick and I feel more confident about cutting foam board now. I also believe that I have gained some skills which would help me to create a great foam board model if needed.

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The key to a keyring

Monday 4th February ‘19

This session with Craig we loaded up Illustrator and he spoke to us about the different tools within it.

We then began exploring the shape tool and thinking about how we can manipulate shapes in order to get our desired effect. This was incredibly basic for me and I spent a lot of time producing work for my other module, Design for Script. However, Craig showed us quite a simple trick to manipulating a shape to a specific size simply by pressing on the page once whilst the shape tool is selected. I did not know this and I think it will be incredibly useful in my future design work. Another simple trick is that using the direct selection tool on a corner of a shape can easily change that shape into something else.

Moving onto more elaborate skills, we started to use the pen tool in the hope to create a keyring via laser cutting. The pen tool is something that I don't have much experience with and have only just began to practice. I attempted to create a shape of elephant for my keyring. This went a lot better than I expected considering I don't use Illustrator a great deal.

Craig then emphasised the importance of save settings. In order for the laser cutter to understand the design and be able to create the shape, it’s important to change the export auto cad version to R13.

Some more great tips that I learnt in this session is the shape builder tool which allows me to merge different shapes together by selecting it all, using ‘pathfinder’ and ‘unite’. One of my favourite things I learnt in this session is by selecting a shape, going to ‘object’, ‘path’ and then ‘offset path’ creates an outline around the shape.

Finally, we used the pen tool to explore how to create curves and more interesting shapes. I already knew how to do this in simple terms but it was interesting to revisit.

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A Look Into the Future

Monday 28th January ‘19

Today marked the first day back after a long Christmas and New Year break. I felt refreshed and ready to get my head back into my projects and year ahead. 

The session began by meeting up with Craig who we will be working with for the rest of the year. Craig briefed us on how we will be moving forward with our digital and technical skills which included showing us work which had just been submitted from the current 2nd year students. This was really interesting to see as I was able to put myself in a position to see where I was heading. It was also reassuring to see the quality of some of the work and to hear Craig say that most students had no past experience which only made me more confident for the future.

Afterwards, we spent time thinking about the skills we had explored before Christmas and recapped these in a way. We began by searching the internet for images of set design sketches or drawings in some form of theme. He then told us to load of all these images into an illustrator page and showed us some techniques to do with resizing, clipping masks, and layout. 

Overall, I can’t say that I really found this session to be too useful to me although I appreciate that it was our first session back with Craig for a while. I found it to be rather boring at times due to the fact that we have in the past looked at creating mood boards as well as the fact that I am more than competent with the main Adobe packages. However, Craig did talk about some important features in terms of layout and highlighted the importance of aesthetic in mood boards.

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One-point perspective

Monday 26th November ‘18

This Monday’s session I was rather anxious due to missing so many sessions and being out of University for so long. 

I began by having a conversation with Andrew who spent time to catch me up on what I had missed. He talked me through a presentation from the previous perspective session and tried his best to explain each element. 

It became clear to me that the easiest way to understand perspective is to practice it myself in a real exercise. We were given an example floor plan and the start to an extended elevation from Andrew. Using my scale ruler I measured the other half of the floor plan, including around the windows, as this would give me the other half to the extended elevation drawing.

I struggled with this to begin with as I couldn't quite get my head around scale. However after measuring a few different walls a few different times, I managed to get my head around it. I then set up a page of a tracing paper and began to redraw that same floor plan with all of the correct measurements. The same was done with the unfinished extended elevation. 

The page sported an extended elevation at the top complete with a door and large bay windows. A floor plan at the bottom helped me to understand scale greatly as I redraw each wall. Finally, the floor plan includes a small kitchen area to the left of which I decided to draw about the floor plan as another extended elevation. 

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this activity as I found it very satisfying to see each element of the design. Seeing each part laid out like this really helped me to visualise the room. I believe this can really help in the future of designing a set as through these drawings I will be able place the space in my minds eye.

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Loss of focus

Due to an event within my personal life back home, I could not attend University for a few weeks and therefore missed quite a few sessions. After returning, I have tried my best to catch up and I spoke to Andrew regarding the perspective drawing sessions. He was able to explain these which allowed me to understand perspective much clearer and practice within my own time.

In terms of my digital sessions, I do not feel worried as I am quite confident with technology when it comes to the Adobe packages due to my past work. I do not feel like I have missed valuable work in terms of this. However, I have missed all of the sketch up sessions so far which I find very regrettable. I have in the past tried Sketch Up and therefore I understand the basic fundamentals of the package however I have an incredible amount to learn and I look forward to my future Sketch Up sessions.

I have now had some time back in Salford, I feel much more motivated and ready to finish the year in confidence.

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Editing 101

Thursday 25th October ‘18

This Thursday we did a lot of experimentation within Photoshop.

My first picture was simply exploring the many different image adjustments within Photoshop. The main goal of each of these experiments was to make each image much more vibrant and bright. 

This final image was my favourite to edit. I enjoyed the process of altering an image by adding other images to it. For example, to begin with, this image was only of a beach. I uploaded an image of a fire and another of smoke, incorporated them both into the original of the beach and created a whole new image entirely. This technique, as well as the different adjustments and mask layer, creates an incredible visual.

Overall, I found this session to be slightly basic at first however certain techniques I had forgotten since not using them for some time. Due to this, I did quite enjoy this digital session and look forward to being able to create great visuals like this in the future.

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Urban Sketching

Monday 22nd October ‘18

This Monday, our task was to set out around campus with Adelina in a bid to open our eyes and sketch what we see around us. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this session however I took some time throughout the week to go out on campus by myself and practice my sketching skills. 

Drawing is definitely not my strongest point and it is something that I have worked on for quite some time. I am sure that I missed some valuable guidance from Adelina and therefore I’m not sure if I did the right activities or left with the same insight. However I did very much enjoy the fluidity of urban sketching and how it made me feel ‘free’ to draw so carelessly.

I still have a long way to go in terms of drawing, particularly this urban sketching technique as I didn’t quite get the end outcome that I had hoped for.

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Meet Adobe

Thursday 18th October ‘18

This Thursday, we proceeded with our second digital workshop session. 

We began by meeting Craig and he discussed with us our rough scheme of work for the next few weeks, including when we will be passed over to Paul. After everyone managed to log onto the Macs, the first piece of software that we were introduced to was Adobe Illustrator. 

To ease us into it, we started by learning how to place images into a document, how to resize them all to the same scale and how to add text. The idea behind this activity was to get us familiar with the software but also to allow us to explore other ways to create things such as digital theme boards. 

We repeated this activity but with Adobe InDesign instead, in order for us to be familiar with both softwares and to give us much more choice when creating. As well as this, we looked at how to save our work and used Adobe Acrobat to reduce file sizes considerably which would help in the future when we may need to email a document or print. 

I did not find this session to be very useful for me as I am quite familiar with the main Adobe softwares such as InDesign, Photoshop and least of all, Illustrator. However I appreciate that there may be some simple techniques which I may not know and therefore it is always good to refresh myself on these. 

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Fun in the workshop PT. 3

Monday 15th October ‘18

This Monday marked our last practical session in the workshop. 

As most of the class finished building their pieces last week and felt as though nothing was to be added to them, Kostas and Tim decided that we could either continue to explore the machines and become more comfortable with them or do something else. 

I decided that I was quite familiar with the machines of which I would possibly be using and therefore moved onto developing my model for the 3D design principles module. 

After surveying the theatre in New Adelphi a few weeks ago, I drew up a floor plan and converted the measurements to a scale of 1/20. I then gave these measurements to Tim and he cut me a piece of 5mm thick MDF. This piece of wood will be the base for my model in order to create a sturdy and structured piece of work. 

Overall, I have found these workshop sessions very valuable. Last year over the course of my foundation year, I found the workshop to be quite intimidating and although we were welcome to use the facilities, I felt as though I couldn't. My attitude towards this has changed completely as I feel much more comfortable using the machines safely. I now believe that I could seek help and advice from members of staff within the workshop and I think that my work will benefit greatly from this.

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Getting digital

Thursday 11th October ‘18

In the afternoon of Thursday this week, we were introduced to Craig, one of the main tutors who will be involved in teaching us the digital aspects of design. 

We were also, very briefly, introduced to Paul who will be taking over from Craig in a few weeks time. 

To begin the session, we logged on and Craig introduced us to the printers, including the locations, and how to scan on them. He also told us about ‘secret’ settings and presets on the printers which we can change in order to alter the desired affect. 

Afterwards, we were shown where the technical stores were and told how we could borrow equipment if needed. This led onto us making sure that we were set up on the ‘Connect 2′ website which would allow us to reserve and book out tech equipment when needed. 

Overall, I didn't find this session very useful as I am very familiar with the systems within the university. I have also previously signed up for Connect 2 during my foundation year last year.

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Fun in the workshop PT. 2

Monday 8th October ‘18

On Monday this week we continued with our experimentation in the workshop and had the chance to try out a wider range of the machines.

To start the afternoon, Tim ran through a demo of each of the machines as most of the group had never used them before. Afterwards, we all became equipped with goggles and began to experiment with the machines in the form of creating an abstract frame of some sort. 

To begin with, I wasn’t really enjoying this task as I struggled to think of ideas for what to do. However instead of worrying, I started with the elements which I knew would be simple for me to complete. 

I started by using one of the large bandsaws to cut a base for my frame out of wood. At first I was quite apprehensive about using these machines as I worry that I would do something wrong and in turn break something or something would go wrong. However I also wanted to give it a go and I am glad that I did as I now feel much more comfortable about using the industrial machines. After making the base, I also cut four strips for the sides which would act as the supports for the frame. I decided to alternate the way of which the sides sat on the base as I liked how it offered a different texture and visual. 

Whilst creating things in the workshop, I am constantly thinking about my model which I must make for my 3D Design Principles module. Due to this, I didn't want to just create a random form of abstract work, I wanted to experiment with techniques which could help me in building my model. I started to play with the idea of making wood panels which I can imagine in the lower part of my model for the underground rooms. I did quite like the effect of this, however I would ideally like to paint them so that it portrays what I have in mind of the war. I then began to think about the wire of which I experimented with last week as I would like it to be an important feature in my model. I crafted the flattened wire again this week and drilled a hole either side of the frame which would allow the wire to fit inside snuggly and neatly. 

For added visuals, I then added cork off cuts to the bottom which I didn't expect to look like much however I quite liked the effect of the texture in contrast to the wood.

Finally, Tim showed me some models which he has created in the past and one in particular resembled bombs in the ground and he used a lot of wire which looked like barbed wire. He showed me a technique of wrapping a small piece of wire around the main piece which really emphasised the look of barbed wire.

I think I will definitely use this technique in my final model.

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A collaboration of some of the 22 tasks.

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22 Tasks

Thursday 4th October ‘18

This afternoon, we took part in a creative workshop which allowed us to completely let go of our creative worries. 

We were given 22 different creative tasks which we were to do on separate pages of our sketchbook. There were no rules and the tasks were very basic, simple commands. Due to this, each person’s interpretations of the tasks were completely different meaning that each drawing was completely different and unique too. 

At first, I felt very apprehensive about this workshop as I am not a very confident drawer and sometimes struggle to generate ideas in my head. However, I was very pleasantly surprised as I made my way through the 22 tasks and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

My favourite task from the 22 was the “Build a nest inside your sketchbook out of paper cut-outs”. I loved the multi media aspect of it and in a way it reminded me of model making and the use of different materials to create an image.

Through this workshop, I learnt to not worry about my art too much and to just experiment with the first idea that comes to me. I believe that this will help me with my weekly sketches that I submit into my sketchbook throughout the year as I will aim to not worry and practice serendipity. 

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Fun In The Workshop

Monday 1st October ‘18

Today we had our first real session of making in the workshop. We began the afternoon with Kostas and Craig who introduced themselves and explained where they fit within the design industry.

They then showed us round 5 areas of the 3D workshop which each played a different role in design. The first three tables were set up to show us how to use common hand and power tools such as different types of hand saws and drills. We were also shown the benefits of dowels as well as the multiple sized drill bits and screws. After that, we were shown how to use a drill in order to thicken the width of a piece of wire. This was possibly my favourite and most useful part of the whole workshop. We were also shown other hand tools used for cutting and carving parts of wood. Once we had been shown all of the simple, main hand tools and machines, we were able to spend the rest of the time exploring all of the techniques in order to gain familiarity with them.

I started by taking a piece of MDF and using the hand saw to remove a section. I then used the pieces that I cut off to make two sides elements to my piece. My initial thought behind this was that I could make some sort of room of which I could draw onto it in one point perspective as I was practicing this in a sketchbook the night before. However as one thing led to another, I decided I really wanted to play with the idea of wire. To attach the three pieces of wood together, I drilled holes into all of the pieces, put dowels in and attached them in this way.

I found this to be a very effective way of joining materials together as not only was it strong, but a lot faster, easier and neater to do. After this, I used the drill to create a piece of thick wire which was a very exciting technique to learn for me. I then wondered if there was a way that I could attach the wire to my wood structure without drilling a hole all the way through. Craig then showed me that it was possible as he used a a 2mm drill bit which was roughly the same thickness of the wire and simply slotted the wire in. This worked well as it was still strong enough to tug without it coming out but also looked very neat and achieved the look I had in mind.

This then led onto my idea for my 3D Design Principles module. I hope to create a model resembling World War Two and specifically related to The Holocaust and Auschwitz. I have a vision in my head of a wire fencing with barbed wire featuring somewhere in my model and so this technique worked well for me.

I then started to think about the barbed wire section of the fence and how I could achieve this. Craig showed us a machine with another piece of thick wire which worked by rolling the wire through bit by bit and tightening them together as you go which flattens the material. This created a great effect which almost looked like the two pieces of wire had melted together. I then twisted the flattened wire so that it resembled barbed wire and attached it to my model by a screw and nut. I absolutely adore how this turned out as I really can see it working for me in my model and looking how I imagine.

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The Journey Begins

Monday 24th September ’18

Today I began my Establishing Professional Practice module and received my brief for the next 6 months.

 In our first session, we analysed the brief to fully understand what is expected from us and therefore to be sure what we are to submit for the deadline. I feel good about this module as I have a background of writing and English language which I anticipate will help me greatly.

After lunch, I took part in a workshop health and safety induction which not only will allow me to use all of the machines and facilities within the University, but also gauge an idea of how I could put these into practice for my other modules and projects over the next year. However, since I completed an Art and Design foundation year at Salford Uni last year, most of what was covered in the induction I did already know. Due to this, it was slightly unhelpful to me but I recognise that it is always good to recap things for the future.

Thursday 27th September ’18

This morning, I visited the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester for my Exploring Creative Contexts module and I found it a highly inspiring and fun morning. My main focus was on William Kentridge who currently features as the main exhibition at the gallery. The exhibition houses five moving image installations made between 2003 – 2016. I found Kentridge to be particularly interesting as although he is a collaborative artist, he also seemed to explore many other themes throughout his work. Whilst exploring the exhibition, I came to realise that there is a story in almost everything that he makes and it’s evident that theatre is important to him. This is shown in the piece below named ‘O Sentimental Machine’. These ideas and concepts link heavily to my discipline of Film and TV Set Design as when designing, it is important for me to always think of the brief and the story in mind.

“I’m interested in a political art, that is to say an art of ambiguity, contradiction, uncompleted gestures and uncertain endings.” – William Kentridge.

This Afternoon, we explored blog writing with a lady named Catherine Tomlin who enlightened us on reflective writing and what makes a good blog. As much as I recognise that this could be useful to many people, I didn’t find this to be of much help, personally. Reflective writing is something that I am used to and have practiced a lot of both in A Level English Language and the Art and Design Foundation. However this means I am comfortable with my module and reflective writing which is critical.