LAUAN 603 - The Last Post

After receiving feedback from dotty on Saturday, I dashed to make all the changes like reordering my visual journal and major project pdf and adding context. I also polished off my Diner project with a 'how to make the jukebox' section. Ideally I would have added a 'how to make the cash register' section but the latter took such a painstakingly long time to make and was so mind bogglingly boring that I physically couldn't force myself to endure any more agony (sorry to be dramatic). I checked all my folders and exported and re exported everything like a thousand times ready for a rather anti climatic, drag and drop submission.
After speaking to Ben, I decided to take my work for Petra (puppets and backdrop) out of my 'major project'. Unfortunately, the images we have aren't great and might even bring the quality down slightly. Had we still be able to access uni, I would be able to capture them better but the available images aren't very flattering, nor were the puppets ever used as intended- which is a shame. Nonetheless I feel that my submission really is as good as it possibly could be, I've worked hard this year and have tried my best to persevere through this unusual end to a degree. I feel I've managed my time and myself reasonably well and have managed to stay upbeat and mostly positive about what I've been making. The diner project especially clarified for me that I wholly prefer to be off the computer working with my hand, making and crafting, which I'll always bare in mind. Having said all of this, I am glad to see the end of the work and start the rest of my life! Over and out

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 20

Last full week!

This week I plowed on with compiling all my practical work for my visual journal and major project and wrapped it up in a format that seems presentable. I have definitely noticed that my design skills are pretty weak so will absolutely be working on this post uni. I also added to my live brief blog posts, checked over my statement of intent and wrote my evaluation.
Feeling that I had extra time I managed to make some additional practical work for my Diner project. I made a jukebox and a till (cash register) from paper. I was really happy with these and I'm really glad I have something physical to go in the concept book. It makes it seem more complete and cohesive.
After receiving lengthy feedback from Dotty, my last two days next week will be very full, amending and altering my submission however, other than this, I feel ready to send off my work.

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 19

PP took up the beginning of this week with the submission on Tue. Afterwards I worked on compiling all the work from the Diner into an InDesign file. The writing was quite time consuming, especially the making manual. Seeing all the work together held mixed feelings. On one hand I feel it's not developed enough and lacks sophistication. I can't help but feel it falls short without the physical set. On the other, the document is 30 pages long, so it's quite complete. I'm pleased with the Maya renders and the final designs, so those are a highlight.
Additionally this week I completed my critical evaluation, project proposal and my final live brief. Next week, our last full week, I'll complete the design on my pfd book, run it past tutors for final feedback and compile all the sporadic work I have completed for this module into one place.

The file so far: 

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Live Brief (4): Free Sticker Friday

For my final live brief I was hoping to apply to the sustainability award. I had a conceptual idea to utilise the waste paper from different departments in the university to make recycled sketchbooks, involving a token characteristic of each department. However, due to the virus I couldn’t access the paper at university, couldn’t submit the books physically and didn’t have the resources at home to make paper. I was fond of this idea and will return to it when possibly. 

Instead, I decided on another Free Sicker Friday. Similarly to my last submission, I aspired to create a piece of work I was proud of and use the opportunity to practice my painting. Once more, I drew inspiration from nature. Imagery of animals is widely appealing and to fit the contemporary style of the brief I chose an unusual red and green tree frog. Choosing a slimy frog what a fantastic chance to practice painting something with high reflectivity and a slippery surface. I tried to incorporate lots of highlights and gloss to accurately capture his texture, working closely from reference. I do feel I could have pushed this further, I think he does appear slightly more matte than I intended. Despite this, I feel that I have captured the colours well and thought about the harmony of the dominating colours in the image: red, green and blue. Another skill I tried to utilise from the course is desaturating colours which gives the image a more lifelike quality. 

Secondly, I involved a Posca pen in my image. This was a nod to illustrative culture, where the pens are very popular. At the very least I intended to use this image as content for my instagram and thought that tagging the brand may win my page a small amount of attention. More conceptually, the pen offered a rigid shape to accompany the organic form. 

Once more, no win. I didn’t feel confident in adding a colour/ shape etc around the illustration to elevate it into a sticker as opposed to a a stand alone illustration. This was due to my lacking design skills. Therefore, this live brief has revealed to me another gap in my knowledge to fill post university. I will find another course to supplement my design skills. This brief has also taught me about painting high shine surfaces. Light is of primary importance in painting and I now feel abundantly more aware of this, which I think is shining through in my work. I will definitely be apply to Free Sticker Friday again in future as the benefits have been profound. Also, as these paintings have been such great exercises, I may make a small series/collection of them for the intention of social media.

Words:  458

My Submission:

Evidence Of Submission:

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 18

This week we had our final crit. I received positive and useful feedback:

- make the purpose of the making manual obvious
- look at 'design bibles' and 'style guides' for animation
- making manual should be very specific, inc measurements, textures
- think about the practicality of whats inside
- It should be nicely presented and aesthetically pleasing

Based on this I have further research to do on the presentation and design aspect. I may make it in InDesign or download a template and work with this. Design is not my strong point therefore I'll pour more time into this aspect.

With PP due next week, I didn't spend so much time on this module this week. I did manage to model, bake, paint and photograph my props. I felt confident in the modelling stage and I think the shapes of the props are quite successful. However when it came to painting I used guache (the only paint I had) which didn't dry or set well, hence the messy appearance. Research after revealed that acrylic paint is the best for super sculpey, so I'd use this next time. Additionally, my only paint brushes were way too big, resulting in a lack of accuracy.
Having said this, the purpose of the props was concept research. I really enjoyed the process but having never done it before I think I am lacking the experience.

Next week:
- finish off props
- start compiling set design concept book
- based off the feedback, I might write myself a brief to properly establish the purpose of the book