About the Author- Roughs

At the end of last week we had an idea generation session, where we quickly sketched ways to show different ideas and combinations of words, such as 'shelter' and 'tree', or 'fork and 'community'.

I actually found this really helpful, as I realised it wasn't necessarily about the quality of the drawings, but about how well they communicate.

This has helped me loosen up in my roughing stage and not worry about the quality as much as the content of the roughs.

This is the first time I've done roughing to this scale, and I was initially daunted by the prospect of making 60 roughs in only a few days, but once I was actually doing it, I really enjoyed the process.

We also had a feedback session in groups, where we were able to discuss our ideas and concerns about the project.

SQUARE:

What do I like?

- More central compositions offer balance, which Yutang talks about a lot

- Overlay, would work well in print- also he talks about layering up his argument before 'jumping over a hedge' back to the starting point

- More abstract ideas- need a bit of translating, which is exactly what Yutang did in his lifetime

What don't I like?

- Simple ideas don't offer enough variant, editorials work if they cleverly tell a story themselves

- Character- not my strong point, but I think this brief doesn't really call for character, so maybe leave that for later development

- The block illustrations might be a bit too imposing?

PORTRAIT:

What do I like?

- Where the composition is weighted strongly to one edge/corner, which creates a strong contrast and line of sight

- Like the use of dark grey/black and a brighter colour, builds a good juxtaposition between forms

- Think it works well to build tension with forms which flow upwards and command a space on the page without being too 'bulky'

What don't I like?

- Tried to squash some square compositions into portrait formats- doesn't work- think about how to use the composition to its best

- Too abstract ideas- think I work better creating a scene with ideas within rather than relying on motifs

- Line of sight- didn't think about this much in some of the compositions, where the object is just in the middle, or flowing straight up- could I have created a more pleasing composition with a slight variant in line?

LANDSCAPE:

What do I like?

- When composition flows across the whole page, makes the audience feel more involved, as it isn't just a contained image

- Like where there is a main object with a secondary aspect telling the story (Such as the flowers can't bloom forever) as it helps the viewer understand and relate

What don't I like?

- Zoomed in on specific parts I feel excludes key pieces of information and doesn't set an equal, tranquil scene, as the audience feels small and insignificant

- When there's more colour than black, feels like a secondary aspect

- Too clichéd ideas- such as world in book for how books are a different world- Yutang is so unique and different, I need to show that

OVERALL:

What did the feedback suggest?
- Layered aspects worked- maybe try and include layered type to show his passion and dedication to translation
- Square moons work well compositionally as they offer the work room to breathe
- Tree works well to build tension- could the trunk be made of type as Ben suggested?
- Hand/ precision works to use ambiguity to interest audience, would look good beside an article
- LAYERING UP - maybe try using photoshop to overlay objects?
- Look at Kate Gibb

What have I learnt?
- Focus on what is essence of author- how do I emulate his tone through imagery?
- Include references from different artists- how have they inspired me?
- Don't decide on finals too early- just because I prefer one rough now, let the others develop too!

What will I do next?
- Research Kate Gibb
- Develop:
Square- moon, mountain, brain, half moon and hand.
Landscape- rocks with mouths, moons and rope, equal rocks, child curiosity, equal hand and equal views/moons.
Portrait- top of the tree, child curiosity, child of the mountains, scamp contains humanity, different viewpoints and vines are important as rocks