Summative Evaluation / Mission Statement

My practice is defined by two different methods of approach to image-making. One side being driven by in-depth research and conceptual thinking, I see myself pursuing editorial and publishing contexts. Exemplified by my Context of Practice submission this year, I also have a side of my practice that is purely process-driven. Identifying with contemporary practitioners such as Nicolas Burrows or Kate Gibb, with this form of image-making I also see myself pursuing avenues of self-publishing and creating illustrative products. 

As a creative practitioner these are the avenues that I am most interested in following – however the question remains as to whether I would even like to pursue being a freelancer. Someone who enjoys engaging in a studio environment and with other practitioners on a daily basis, I find the concept of working from home difficult – realistically this being my only option, as starting out I will not be able to afford studio fees. I also wonder whether I have the self-determination and confidence to pursue a career that involves rejection and periods of financial instability. I do, however, see clear advantages to being freelance, such as working for yourself and the fulfilment from collaborating with a client you really admire. 

During this professional practice module I have created a visual identity, an online presence and a series of print promotional materials. Now having these materials, as well as a portfolio of work, to a professional standard I feel more equipped to contact people of interest to me within the creative industries. Experiences such as the ‘We Are Here’ event at Hanbury Hall, speaking to Lucy Bourton at Its Nice That, as well as having portfolio reviews with visiting lecturers has also helped me to build more confidence in approaching people in this way. I hope to continue reaching out to people during summer – even if it is just for a bit of advice over coffee. 

Due to key reflections I had after the Hanbury Hall, and in light of my concerns with being a freelancer, I have also began to pursue other more full-time jobs within the creative industries – looking at websites such as ifyoucouldjobs.com or The Guardian jobs board. Gaining an internship or job within a creative company I think would be beneficial in both furthering my experience and as a form of networking, in light of perhaps becoming a full-time freelancer later on. It would also give the opportunity of being back in a studio environment working with like-minded people and engaging with some form of artistic practice, even it is not my own. 

This module has helped me to reflect on my strengths beyond just my illustrative practice – such as an interest and skill in writing about and researching artistic practice or the ability to give honest constructive feedback on other peoples work. Through this I have began to identify a number of jobs that I feel could capitalise on these strengths – such as working within a print or online publication, in a creative agency or even as a college tutor or art director (but these ambitions may be for further in the future). Having a keen interest in print-making, I could also see myself pursuing a job working in a print studio as a workshop assistant or resident screen-printer. 

Some of the key things I have done during this professional practice module to put these ambitions into action have been – identifying creative agencies, print studios and online or print publications of possible interest, as well as keeping an eye out for potential job or internship opportunities, actually applying to one at Its Nice That a couple of weeks ago. For the purpose of applying to these creative companies I have also put together a more appropriate and comprehensive CV branded with own visual identity.

In summary, the experiences I have had during professional practice this year have helped me to grow in confidence as well as identify potential avenues for progression after degree. With plans to move to London in the coming year, I hope to gain experience through creative internships or a more full-time job, as well as continue pursuing being a freelance illustrator, even if this is just maintaining a personal practice on the side. 

Presentation Slides & Script

Slide 1: Introducing Presentation.

• Hi!
• My presentation is split into three parts:
• My practice – the key principles of my practice and how these have evolved over the course of degree.
• The professionalisation of my practice – avenues within the creative industries I would like to pursue as a freelancer or as a full time job.
• My mission statement for moving forward after graduation.

Slide 2: Early artistic influences

• Laura Carlin and Scott Bakhal both reflected on the early artistic influences in their life, which got me reflecting on my own artistic education before coming on degree.
• It was very traditional – looking mainly at the work of impressionists like John Singer Sargent, Monet and Cezanne.

Slide 3: Looking outside contemporary illustration and design

• Over the past year, I have placed greater importance in looking outside contemporary illustration and design to influence my practice. Why:
• Richard Richards: influence of input – by looking at things that are less generic your creative output will be more original.
• Scott Bakhal: do not be influenced by market trends, make the kind of work you want to make and then find a place for it within the creative industries.
• Although my work could be seen to look like other illustrators, I always hope and strive for it to come from a place of authenticity. 

Slide 4: Composition 

• This has always been a key principle in my practice – favouring simplicity.  
• My emphasis on composition was further strengthened through my COP practical project this year.
• My compositions either have a sense of literal or visual balance.
• Literal Balance – the tension created through all the visual elements meeting one another within the frame. Almost as if you remove one of them the composition will topple like a game of jenga.
• Visual Balance – using areas of negative space contrasted with areas of fill or concentrated pattern. 

Slide 5: Shape

• My love for shape first evolved in first year through one of the visual language sessions focusing on different principles of image-making.
• It was like a lightbulb – I immediately found it easier to think and create images through shape rather than in line. 

Slide 6: The Handmade

• I always like my final outcomes to have a sense of the handsome and high-crafting to them – whether this through using actual print processes and collage or just creating this effect through digital simulation.
• I like using handmade processes because I think it gives an illustration a sense of authenticity and authorship. Especially since my work is so shape-based I think it sometimes lacks the visceral feeling so easily achieved with the varying quality of a drawn line.

Slide 7 - Tone of Voice 

• I would describe my practice to be fun and playful, but also with air of sophistication mostly coming through with the level of crafting.
• A quote from 1^st year has continued to resonate with me throughout degree : “Evoking a feeling rather than boldly presenting the truth”
• Similarly to Laura Carlin, as she said in her talk, I do not like to illustrate the obvious response to any given content, often looking to find something that has not already been said in the text or article – as well as leaving a sense of ambiguity for the audience.

Slide 8 & 9: Notable successes

• Penguin Random House, shortlisted.
• YCN UK greetings, highly commended.
• These successes helped me grow in confidence in terms of the professionalisation of my practice.

Slide 10: Editorial and Adult Publishing

• I have two sides to my practice.
• On one side, I like to work on briefs that are content-driven and necessitate in-depth research.
• As I said before I like to leave a sense of ambiguity and I generally do this through using symbolism and visual metaphor to communicate the content or concept of my illustrations.
• Editorial and adult-publishing are two avenues within the creative industry that I think suit this approach to illustration and therefore I would potentially like to pursue as a freelancer beyond degree.

Slide 11: Self-Publishing and Illustrative products

• However, almost as a continuation of my COP project, I see myself to continue exploring a more process-driven side of my practice.
• I identify with contemporary practitioners like Nicolas Burrows or Jordy Van Nieuwendijk that work a lot in print.
• Following the kind of clients they work for like Hato press or Gur, I see a potentially avenue for my practice to also be self-publishing or illustrative products. 

Slide 12 : But do I want to be a freelance illustrator?

• Fears of being a freelance illustrator: isolation, dealing with financial instability, having a thick skin and determination. 

Slide 13: But we fortunate to have a passion

• I understand that as a freelancer you may sometimes have to work on briefs that you do not enjoy, for the sake of money or promotion.
• But, from working on a series of self-directed briefs during extended practice, it made me reflect upon the sense of fulfilment you can gain as a freelancer from producing a piece of work you really like, that draws attention to an issue you care about, says something about you or even working for a client you admire.
• I would not want to deny myself the opportunity of pursuing something I enjoy so much as a career. A lot of people our age are not so lucky as to have a passion. 

Slide 14: Promotion

• To pursue freelance work I branded myself as an illustrator and printmaker, with a website, Instagram and print promotional materials.
• I now feel more confident to email and contact people having everything put together to a more professional standard. 

Slide 15: Pursuing a 9-5 creative job

• Beyond degree I also, however, see myself pursuing jobs or internships on a more full-time basis within the creative industries. Why:
• Good for networking and to build an understanding of the creative industries, before or even alongside becoming freelance.
• I like the idea of being able to work within a studio environment again, with like-minded people and engaging with artistic practice even it is not my own.
• I have strengths and interests in areas that I think would suit certain jobs within the creative industries e.g. I enjoy researching, writing, and talking to people about artistic practice and giving them constructive feedback – this could suit working for a creative online or print publication, being an art director, managing illustrators in creative agency or even college tutor.
• Having an interest in print-making I would also like to pursue working in a print studio – as a studio manager, workshop assistant or even resident screen-printer.
• For this I have been looking on jobs boards like ifyoucouldjobs.com.
• I have already applied to a 3 month long internship at ItsNiceThat.com to be an editorial assistant. 

Slide 16: Mission Statement for the coming year

• I would like to move to London at some point, ideally live there by this time next year.
• I think having that base in mind is useful in looking for internships or jobs – being able to narrow my research to print studios, creative agencies or publications only based in London.
• I would like to continue making work even if this is just on a personal basis – with plans of making some moving editorials over summer, as well as continue emailing people about my practice – even if this is just for some coffee and advice. 

Slide 17:  Any Questions?