bird set free gif

I did this gif through the inspiration of  Sia's song bird set free. The animation is based on escaping from being trapped from the outside world. The song has another purpose which is to dream big and not let fear holding you back. The bird cage is the visual metaphor of it. I did this animation by graphite and ink. I put the animation together using the gif maker app on my iPhone. To develop it further, I try to add music to it and extend it further to make it look a full length animation.

Images and text in sequence- Tiffany Leeson

During the talk that I attended to, Tiffany discussed her career as a creative director of Egmont publishing. She mentioned of what to consider when creating a narrative sequence. The main points to think about when planning out a story are;

• characters- main core of the story 
• pace- read an image
• page layout/ number of pages/ connecting pages together 
• Where do you want your reader to look?
• what colours and textures to consider when creating the moodiness of the characters/ will it also include silhouettes/ shadows when someone/thing is approaching 
• format of the images- 32pp- 12 spreads-
• rule of structure- 3/6/3- for younger audience have the page lay out a square format 
• viewpoint- what is going on in the story 
• target audience- adult/ children/ young adult/ teens  

The order of producing a storyboard are; 

1. setting 
2. characters 
3.  problem develops 
4. conflict begins 
5. escalates 
6. crisis
7. resolution 
8. following actions- put yourself in other people shoes

Other things  to consider when after producing a book are getting the sense of the target market- language distance/ visiting book shops, researching bloggers and retail buyers. 

PVRIS Poster

I created this poster by using the lasso tool on Photoshop to make a torn paper pattern. I decided to add the details to the event by a using a typeface font because it contrasts with the mono-print that I did recently.

Gina Cross Professional Practice

When I attended the Gina Cross professional practice talk, she help me to enlighten on how I want to come across as an artist. Gina Cross is an art dealer and agent based in London. She does self-promotion workshops for inspiring artists that wants to develop their brand to lead to careers such as freelancer, graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, etc. Cross also worked for Gas Gallery. Gas Gallery represents artwork from artists that are both in the UK and international.

She showed examples of books that showed a variety of unique but subtle covers.
                                                                                                            


A Clockwork Orange (2011) edition, Anthony Burgess
                                                                            

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2015) edition, Lewis Carroll


The Language of the Birds, Russian Folklore- cover design, Rebecca Jones

During the talk, Gina mentioned there are many approaches on publishing artwork and prints not just for books and album covers. The other examples on expanding artwork are, gaming, product display, set design, retail window display, interior and mural design.


Absolut Vodka is a good example of product and packaging display because the designers that produce the artwork on the bottles shows the versatility of colour and technique. It also shows who product is targeted at.

Overall, the key aspects that will help me and others to build success in self-promotion are,

•  Develop a unique & strong visual style
• Who are you as an artist?
• What are your strengths i.e., what techniques are you good at and how does approach towards your work?
• What tools do you need?
• Are you niche/ multidisciplinary?
• Who/what inspires you?
• Interpreting influences into your own style
• Look beyond the scope of Art & Design such as, travelling, going to exhibitions or events- festivals, reading and writing
• Do your research- finding information on who is your target audience when it comes producing and selling artwork online
• Further training/ skill development i.e. study a course online
• Be realistic about money but dare to dream & take risks!
• Use the most appropriate method for your style/ type of work or chosen industry
• Be persistent
• Don't sent work to the wrong people/clients
• Networking/ Using social media i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc.
• Be creative!

Recommendations on websites to find when it comes to either looking for a job or putting work online are,

• Oh Deer
• Not on the High Street
• Society6
• The Dots.com
• Crafty Fox  

Melanie Martinez crybaby sculpture

 I made the sculpture of Melanie Martinez alter ego/ character, Crybaby out of clay. I created the concept of this piece through Martinez's self title album song which same exact name as her unique persona. I painted the bust using acrylics and brush pens.  To step a forward, I going to edit the photo of the sculpture using photoshop and use as part of my poster that I've been working on for my FMP.

PVRIS monoprint- smoke

This monoprint is based on the song Smoke from PVRIS self- titled album, White Noise.  The figure going through the figure came from a line from the song, 'You make your way into my veins, Course right through my limbs and dig your way into my brain.'

The meaning behind the song is being in a difficult relationship and infusing two lovers together. After I did the monoprint I painted on top of it using acrylics and edit the rest of it on photoshop. 

Even though smoke underlies the term fire, I decided to use cool colours to make it more settle. To take it a step further, I will use this print to create a gig poster to promote the band's tour this year as well as making a vinyl cover as well. 

history on album art

Gary Freiberg describes album art as, ‘the most personable art form there is… Cover art is part of that emotional connection we have with music.’  I agree because we rely on music to get through the tough times in our lives and the album art shows the visualisation of the music you are listening. Freiberg also quoted that, “Album cover art is a unique depiction of the evolution of our society.”

Album art was first introduced in 1938, and Alex Steinweiss was the creator of the art form. His artwork was abstract and each cover that he has created, has their own uniqueness to them. In his twenties, Steinweiss was hired by the American Gramophone Company before it was later called, Columbia Records.

From 1930 to 34, Steinweiss attended Abraham Lincoln High School. He entered the graphic design program during the second term. It was taught by Leon Friend. In 1940, Alex illustrated his first album cover for Rodgers & Hart.  The artwork shows a theatre with the band’s name in lights.

His covers incorporate flat colours, surrealism and symbolism.  He drags people attention through his use cartoon-style portraits of the artist and photographs of cultural iconic buildings or landmarks.

As the years go by, artists want the cover of their albums to have a photo of themselves that showcases their personality through their music. But the primary and big influence on album cover art in society today was the introduction of computer imaging.

Computer imaging was first introduced in 1973 and has only been used since the late 20^th century and onwards. The use of digital imagery gives the artist or illustrator a chance to experiment with different tools from different varieties of design software such as photoshop and illustrator. The only issue in using computer imagery is that it loses the rawness that the music is trying to portray.

Jamie Reid took a different approach in his artwork by using monochrome photography of iconic people, brash colours, DIY punk and ransom note lettering. He is well known for doing album art for the Sex Pistols during the 1970’s. Reid co-founded Suburban Press with former actress Margi Clarke.

He quoted about the press as a mixture of ‘local politics, cut-and-paste graphics, absurd humour, agit-prop/ Situationist aphorisms and a lot of subtly subversive mischief-making.’

In 2001, Pistols’ album God Saved the Queen that was released in 1977 was voted number one for the greatest album cover ever made.

From 1990’s to today album art has transferred onto CD’s, and the small scale of pure imagery that the artist or illustrator has created doesn’t look appealing than it does on vinyl.  Also since music can now be streamed or downloaded onto portable devices such as, phones, mp3’s, tablets, pcs and laptops people in society has lost sight of the appreciation of the album art.

Public Service Broadcasting artist, Graham Pilling stated, "I think it's similar to film – the majority of people aren't really interested in the design and production side of things but there are plenty of people who love that angle, so you could never say it's not appreciated. Appreciation and popularity are not mutually exclusive.”

Illustrator Kieran Gabriel backed up Pilling statement saying, "In the days of quick turn around and surprise albums, it's easy for the album artwork to be forgotten. I do feel the days of the iconic album cover have gone."

 Now today vinyl has made a comeback and the new generation will get a chance of what it is like to listen to music without plugging into a device.

Also for the people who grew up listening to vinyl finally get to relive their childhood of their passion for music especially if it is coming from upcoming bands and music artists.