mikeheywood1 - Tumblr blog

[mikeheywood1]

Diego Cusano Portfolio review.

I have followed Diego on Instagram for many years. He answered a few questions for me last year in my PDP interviews with practitioners. I felt with speaking to Diego before, he could see how my work as improve and how I have homed into a certain way of working in that time. Diego said he liked my work, it was very impressed with my Little red riding hood poster and felt the layout was beautifully done. He also commented on my Trump bust saying it "captured" his strange personality. Diego mentioned that the Cardboard Barrel in my portfolio was photographed very dark, and if I still had the piece to re -take the photos. Unfortunately I no longer have the piece so I think I will remove the barrel from my portfolio altogether. A few people have mentioned it is my weakest piece, it is great to hear opinions of professionals in the industry. Even if hearing your work isn't the best, hearing the truth is the best thing. It makes me want to always improve and continue to learn my craft.

[mikeheywood1]

Things to be aware of in Industry.

On Friday Emma gave us a lecture on our future in illustration. Things to know and to look out for when dealing with real clients in the real world. The first thing was to take our practise seriously, illustrators to many people don't have a "real" job. They will often get asked to work for free, our advice was to never do this. It damages you, as well as damaging the industry itself. Your only shooting yourself in the foot trying to get "exposure" for the work you produce. Exposure doesn't pay the bills, being paid does. We were told to instantly ask the clients, "what's your budget?". Letting them know you will want to be paid, and taken seriously. Emma also mentioned not to enter competitions that don't pay you cash at the end. Contact real clients, who will pay you. Don't undersell yourself, or your skills. Emma also gave us a check list of things to know: Drawing from photos can be seen as copyright. Rights grabbing, explaining a buy out instead of a full copyrights contract. You will be a part time job when finding your feet in industry. No illustrator has a set path. In short Emma told us to keep going... you will get there. Don't have to much time, because you'll waste it not making work, a part time job can help motivation. Develop people skills, network, go to events and get your face known. Always make art, even if it is for yourself keep practicing, improving and learning. Get yourself a positive working space, somewhere you can enter with a clear mind. Maybe a shared studio? She told us to send our work to clients, share it online always be present and do what makes you happy.

[mikeheywood1]

Samantha Eynon portfolio review.

Sam is a friend I've met through illustration. I feel having a friend look through my work was a good experience for me. Someone that can be really honest with me about my work and not hold back. Sam herself works mostly 2D, digital and drawing. Using bold colour as well as designing her own typography. When Sam looked through my digital portfolio she mentioned how my work is very varied in styles. That I should maybe change my portfolio for who I am sending the work to, poster design for graphic companies. My 3D work for TV and film interviews. I felt this was a great idea, a way of showing my strongest work of each sector to different clients may well be the thing that secures me work in the future. Sam was very impressed with my 3D work, and said I had a "true talent" with it. Overall speaking with Sam was excellent. Getting a truly honest opinion on my work and realising things from someone else's take on my work. I will definitely take into account the idea of changing my portfolio to suit each clients needs.

[mikeheywood1]

Client List.

TV and Film.

My work is 3D, and I feel my strongest work is prob and set design. My work would fit perfectly into this line of work, I feel I could thrive in this community. This is ultimately where I want to end up with my practise, I think my skills could be used well in the industry. My quick problem solving is also a great tool for this line of work, thinking on my feet and getting the job done.

Theatre’s, Commercial and Performance Art. With my work being 3D it could also be used in Theatre production and commercial. If something is needed I could be the one to design it or make it. Depending on the job at hand.

I could also create pieces for performance art, or performance as a whole when it comes back to theatre. The idea of working in plays and shows has always been a huge dream of mine. I now feel I have the skills to succeed in this environment and make an impact.

Graphic Design.

Throughout University I have began to realise more and more my Graphic side. How I have an eye for detail and perfection. This has shown through my poster design over the past 3 years. I feel I’ve got stronger and stronger as the briefs go on. Although Graphic Designers use software illustrations aren’t to familiar with, I feel after University I should take the time to learn these tools. This will expand my client base massively, as well as getting my name out there in the industry.

[mikeheywood1]

Andy Dumbar portfolio review.

Andy works in a Graphic Design and commercial field. Chatting with him over a coffee and going through my portfolio was a brilliant insight in to someone who has made their way into the industry. We spoke about the 3D work I do, and he commented on how professional my portfolio was. However he mentioned it may be an idea to have a second folder with my workings out of each final piece. To show my development if the brief and how I got to my final outcome. Andy said this would be “my voice” speaking to whoever was viewing the work and giving them an idea of how my brain works. My portfolio doesn’t give the viewer a sense of how long a piece took or what went into it to make it what it was. So this secondary portfolio would provide them with the information. “Use it as a professional sketchbook in a way”

Andy mentioned I had an eye for detail, also my graphic work was excellent and my use of font was great. He told me I should learn the software through and through because he felt I could get some great graphic work through it. Commissions and self promotional work.

Overall Andy was a great help with regards to my practise and portfolio. He gave me many ideas with how to change my portfolio to stand out from the crowd in industry, and to really show who I am and what I’m about. He is going to get me on set of a shoot the next time a opportunity arises. I'm looking forward to learning from him and starting to get my work out in industry.

[mikeheywood1]

My portfolio review with Liam Bardsley went well. Liam had spoke previously in a question and answer talk about life after university. He explained how he doesn’t use an agent and promotes himself using social media. He said at the start of life in the industry it’ll be a slow start, and how patience, persistence and a positive attitude are key for getting more and more work.

Liam spoke about how he felt being an illustrator was a great job, and interesting. The satisfaction of working for yourself, following in great artist foot steps. When seeing one of your pieces of work out in the public eye and seeing how people respond to it is a great feeling. He told us when commissioned work goes quiet, to look at things that inspire us and draw inspiration from these key things.

When Liam looked at my portfolio he seemed impressed with the profession feel of it. His favourite piece of work was my Little Red Riding Hood poster, he said how he loved the wolf made from tree bark and the effect it had once it’d been scanned in. He told me to stay on with my poster designs as he felt they were a strong sector of my work, the mixture of 3D and digital worked well and to carry on learning programmes such as inDesign and photoshop. Creating work that is a mixture of 3D and 2D could be something I later specialise in.

He mentioned Paul Rand, and that I should look at his work for inspiration in the future. Liam felt my work had a similar style and feel to Rand's, and he could be someone that really inspires my future work. He also said to look into advertising more and more and really learn that part of the market. Overall I was extremely pleased with Liam’s feedback on my work. He gave me great confidence in the work I produce and how my mind works.

[mikeheywood1]

When Alan Dalby looked at my portfolio I could tell straight away that I was going to like him. I loved his honestly and to the point way of wording sentences.

First off he said he was impressed by my cover page, the first thing a client would see when looking at my portfolio. He said it was strong and to the point. With regards to my Donald Trump bust he said I should photograph it side on as well as front on. Just to get an idea of what the piece actually is and it not look to flat on the page. Maybe even adding a second image showing the piece in context.

Alan was impressed with the logo I designed and that was present on each page. He said he had a professional feel as well as being laid out nicely on the page. My poster work, the wolf and Vans work were his favourites. Again continuing with the poster theme that Liam had also mentioned he thought it was strong, that my placement of font and line was great and I should continue making work in that kind of way.

With my mythical creature work and cardboard barrel he said the work need photographing better, since it was just a little to dark on the photos, you can’t really tell what is going on. However I no longer have these pieces of work, so I will either have to photoshop then or take them out of my portfolio altogether.

Alan also mentioned small things such as a couple of lines that had happened during printing and aligning some logos underneath work. Maybe getting them printed professionally and going back over the indesign file would help just a little more with my work. It was great to get a really honest opinion of my practise and has definitely given me idea for improvement in every sector of my portfolio.

[mikeheywood1]

Fig Taylor’s visited was a great insight into the industry after University. Most of the work Fig deals with is linked with Magazine’s and Newspapers. However it was good to learn about how she meets lot of inspiring illustrators through her portfolio reviews.

Fig spoke of how in the U.K. market social media is an increasingly important tool to getting your name out there and ultimately getting work. She explained how you should always have an online presences and should be continually posting new work. The more work you to, the more chance there is for commissioned work. Clients will want a strong idea of the work you produce and what you are about.

She mentioned how having one style is the best for getting work, how clients will want to see what you do. “Honestly pick one style” she told us to be honest with ourselves and choose the style we enjoy the most. If you can’t produce a similar style of work again, don’t do it.

With regards to my own portfolio Sam told the class to become your own creative critic. Clear space for new work, if you don't like a piece of work. Take it out. Weak work sticks in the mind, if it’s not in your style, take it out. She also said to have colour in our work that is present in our portfolios, black and white has limitations. A3/A4 is industry standard for our portfolios. There shouldn’t be anything out of our sketchbooks only finished work. 3D work should be photographed professionally and presented well.

When Sam looked at my portfolio, her first words were, “I can’t help you”. Sam deals with mostly illustrations for columns and books. Whereas my work is 3D, aimed toward theatres and TV. This being said Sam did then tell me to start visiting theatres and emailing art directors about my work and really begin to get my name out there in industry going to events and posting my work online.

[mikeheywood1]

Meeting Sam Slater was a pleasure. Learning so much from her in such a short space of time was a great experience. She spoke of when she had done the course a few years previous and her trajectory into the industry.

Sam explained how she has to be resourceful and very quick thinking in her line of work. She also spoke of how you have to start at the bottom making coffees and teas. To not think ahead of yourself and think your better than the people around you, some students she had taken on previous work had been great on set. But not the best when it comes to being a people person, knowing everyday skills and how to act in a certain environment. People skills are just as important as skills with your practise itself. Being polite and enthusiastic with wanting to grow and learn are key.

With regards to our degree Sam mentioned that the actual mark in the industry isn’t overly important. Art directors and employers don’t often ask what you actually got (1:1, 2:1 2:2) but ask that you’ve got the degree itself. This was a reassuring statement to hear, with all the stress of getting the best mark I can and working hard toward the end goal. To hear that in industry it is a relaxed topic that isn't looked into so deeply was a weight of my shoulders. Not in terms that whatever I get will be good enough, but that the end of Uni is just the start of my work in a creative industry not the end. .

Me and Sam began to talk on a series called “Tina and Bobby” that was on ITV. We both agreed at a lot of the filming had been done incorrectly, the lighting was wrong on many scenes, also some of the sets and probs were made cheaply. It was a real eye opener to me that I have the same eye for detail as Sam does. She seemed impressed that I had also noticed some of the things she had and it gave me confidence in my ability to notice errors in a real world situation.

Overall getting to know Sam was brilliant and I hope to see her in the future. Hopefully opening some doors with regards to the TV and film industry. I really feel this is a sector of work that I just thrive in and enjoy the experience.

[mikeheywood1]

Hopes, Fears and Opportunities.

After graduation, I hope I can chase a career in prop making and stage set design. If that be through TV, film or theatre I am yet to know. I work in 3D, so I feel this sector of work would suit me perfectly. I could really show off my skills in the 3D sector, as well as being taught new things continuously. The job also requires a lot of moving around to different parts of the country and world, so travelling while working would also be a fantastic experience for me. Meeting different people, gaining friends and future work would be a great start of my career.

I'm not one to fear a lot about anything. But at the end of May I'm wondered a job/work will take a while to happen, a lot of people give up when they leave Uni, I don't want to be one of them. I feel if you really want to do something with your degree you’ll make it happen. I will miss the order of being in certain days and making work. Having a space that is strictly for making work, the idea of getting a studio may need to be something I look into. However I will also enjoy the freedom of no briefs or deadlines for a while, creating work for myself and doing what I truly enjoy. Whether that be 3D work, or exploring more of a Graphic side of things.

My current project, plays for stage, is a great way to show my 3D skills in the way of puppet making. I really enjoy the process of reading character descriptions and making them come to life in a 3D form. Imagining the character and their personalities then seeing them come to life is great. Making set and stages has also always been one of my favourite things. So again I have the chance to explore this with Plays for Stage.

Sam Slater gave us a talk on TV and film, I feel an opportunity will arise from meeting her and I’ll hopefully “get my foot in the door” with regards to contacts and later work. Overall I’m excited for what the future will bring in my career. I would love to gain experience, knowledge and start to meet people in the industry. Learn whatever I can whilst enjoying the work I produce. I'm excited for what the future holds.

[mikeheywood1]

Dead Things By Kate was an incredible presentation about Taxidermy. I had never even thought about Taxidermy as an art form, but it is that and so much more. Kate herself was a truly inspirational character, who had set up her own business and really dived in at the deep end. She didn’t just speak about her work, but also how to start a business. The attitude it takes to be successful and tips on perusing what you love to do and turning it into a career. I’ve been told time and time again on this course to not just “settle” question what a real job is, question society and the way it works. Kate is a real example of someone with the same attitude, trusting herself enough to give it a go and ultimately it paying off. The work she produces is truly outstanding, a gateway of bringing life through death. Appreciating an animals beauty, and allowing it to live on forever. Before this talk, I didn’t ever agree with taxidermy, I thought animals were killed to be displayed. However Kate explained this wasn’t the case, all animals die by natural causes, and each has to have a certificate to prove that. Overall I found Kate an extremely down to earth and interesting human being. I hope to buy some of her work off her at some point in the near future.

[mikeheywood1]

Rachel Goodyear’s talk at Uni was another great eye opener for life after University. She was incredibly honest and true with her attitude and beliefs towards artwork. She spoke of being true to yourself in regards to media you use. How she needs a space/studio to get into the zone of working, using it as a somewhat walk in brain. She spoke of her uni life, how she was always drawing and pinning up small sketches on wall. Seeing how things link with others always looking at things and wondering about how it can be weaved into her artwork. Rachel works a lot with narrative, which linked with me since my project is base of the narrative of a vehicles life. A lot of people consider her work as illustrative, however Rachel explained her work is not telling a story, it’s up to the viewer to decide the story in their own way. She works with a Gallerist, and explained they take 50% of the money made from the Artwork. I thought this was incredibly steep, but Rachel explained she isn’t the best with promoting and selling her work. So it is worth to cut to her. Her work was to an extremely high standard, the slides she displayed to the class with her past and current works were incredibly gripping to me. The sense of wonder and just what was happening in each artwork really made me question the narrative she was working with. Overall Rachel Goodyears talk reassured me that producing art after Uni doesn’t have to all be seen as “work”. Instead to enjoy it and always challenge yourself to change your style when you are getting to complacent.

[mikeheywood1]

Meeting Klub 7, (Old Yellow) in Berlin was a truly eye opening experience. I had never heard of the collective before the trip. But there work blew me away the more slides they showed the class. There work is powerful, in your face, unmistakable. I've always had a pull towards huge pieces of artwork. Work that simply cannot be ignored. These guys were all pros at this. Creating multiple pieces of work, not just for clients, but for there own personal experience and there own way of play. The way they documented there trips to multiple city's with short films was very interesting. A good friend of mine has been into making short films for years, and has made multiple for me over the years. We are currently working on a project together and I'm extremely excited about the finished film. Since first year I've wanted to create a piece of artwork that is of scale. A piece that really speaks to you because of its size. I think Klub 7 inspired me to think big, and create something that is in your face. The shadow art technique I have been using is a perfect pathway of doing this. Since I can change how big the shadow projects with just a slight move of the lamp. Overall I am extremely grateful to have met this collective and hope I can someday be at there level of professionalism.

[mikeheywood1]

The G.F Smith talk was a great way of learning first hand about paper and the huge implications of if it is used incorrectly. With papercraft/paper sculpture being a huge part of what I do with my work. It was great listening to a company so passionate about providing papers from all over the world to the consumer. I found myself asking multiple questions about the whole process of making, suppling and ordering of the paper. A few days after as a class we ordered free samples of different styles of paper. I used this opportunity to use a wide range of different papers in my scenes. I really though about what each paper would be, and how it could be used in a certain way to add even more depth to my papercraft. Changing normal brown paper trees, for a thinker more durable paper. With a wood style finish applied to really emphasise the tree trunk shape. I also used a red paper with a rough texture, and made my paper Campervan out of it. I thought it was a good way to show the Van had age, with marks and scrapes. Just as it does in the flesh. As well as changing multiple papers to textured ones for things like grass, paving and mud. Learning about paper weights, and the amazing difference a thickness makes to pieces of work was great. A thicker paper for portfolio work and business cards is essential to come across in the real world as professional.

[mikeheywood1]

After having my heart set on pursuing an idea I had seen on Vimeo. A group crit with everyone in class really brought me back down to earth. I realised quickly to not find an end product straight away. Instead do research, and play. See what turns out and see what direction the project takes itself in. This helped me get to my final piece, and realise it communicates my project a lot better than my first idea. Doing my homework so to speak is essential when finding the right path you want your project to go down. Group crits are a fantastic way of getting multiple opinions of students and tutors quickly. Getting other people's views across in such a way that they make you realise what you are doing well, and where there is room for improvement. They are never to serious and always get the most out of people. Crits make you aware if you are being narrow minded, and make you question, what else could this be. What else could I do to improve this. They are incredibly helpful, throughout the whole creative process and ultimately made my project become what it has over the passed 3 months. Without this conversation between my piers I feel my project would of spiralled out of control into something I really didn't have my heart set on.

[mikeheywood1]

Visiting Tina Berning in Berlin was a real eye opener to life after Uni. Her studio was incredible, split in two for different types of media. It gave me a sense of what is really possible when you stick to what your good, and don't give it up as soon as you walk out the door. Looking at her ink drawings of the female figure really grabbed my attention. I was planning to use ink for mono-prints when I returned from Berlin. Seeing her work gave me a real boost to want to produce work in the same kind of lose, visceral style. Her comments on using used paper, paper with its own character was really nice to hear also. The paper comments on the work on top of it, and made me question and want to improve my paper sculpture work is done weeks before. Not just using flat paper, but paper that was embossed/coloured/textured, to communicate on another level what the scenes are trying to say. Overall Tina was brilliant, and a real inspiration to what can be done if you stick with doing what you love.

[mikeheywood1]

Personal Project. Overall I've really enjoyed my project on Donald Trump. Mostly the set design and making in order to shoot a stop motion film. I was happy with the outcome of my sets, also I would of liked to perfect each one. Towards to end of the project I began to run out of time. The film ended up being shot on my iPhone, whereas if I had more time I would of liked to film it using the proper equipment. However I have really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to creating more stop motions in 3rd year.