Creative strategies evaluation

Creative strategies evaluation

I have developed a wide range of skills through this module. For example I have learnt how to use adobe illustrator and apply it to design’s from drawings on paper and diagrams in books to then make 2 colour screen prints. I screen printed onto hessian and embroided into it, onto tote bags and paper. I used the laser cutter to produce delicate paper cuttings from illustrations and laser cut into oak from illustrator designs to produce a structure for moss to grow in. I have also developed skills in final cut pro, I have an on going video collaboration with a graphics student (Sarah Roberts), we did some filming in mean wood park, also put together costumes and face paint. I used the footage and edited it in final cut pro, for one version I asked a student at Leeds College of Music (ELECTIC- aka Geordan Campbell-Reid) to pick a song he had made, so that I could edit the imagery to go along with it.

Problem solving- when using the laser cutter, I found when using a hard wood like oak, sometimes it would smoke and cause embers, which disintegrate the design. I found that If I left the wood to cool for 5 minutes between each cutting this wouldn’t happen and the design is much more similar to the digital image. I decided to grow moss into this design- I used natural yogurt and alive found moss blended together and then painted it into the gaps.  I left it in the conditions that are satisfactory for it’s needs to carry on growing. I found that when I came back from the Christmas holidays it had died. But the mixture I had made which I left in the fridge was alive. I didn’t have time to repeat the process, but for next time I will know to keep it in the fridge.  I have learnt that when I make delicate designs in the laser cutter to keep them in a clear plastic folder to control damage.

The strengths I have developed through this project are more based on thought process more then practically. I feel one of the main strengths I have developed is to take risks, to try new things and to not necessarily know what the outcome might be/look like but still have the commitment to carry them through to the end.  I think the strongest piece of work are the insect anatomy illustration designs because I think they represent what I’d like to take forward in my practice (intricacy, transforming factual diagrams into non-factual to create something that is the boundary between science and art. I found using a blog instead of a sketchbook helped me immensely. I will be using this format for upcoming projects.

Weaknesses of my work are that there isn’t a large amount, I could have explored many other avenues and had more attendance.

Overall I think I have learnt a lot but I could have learnt a lot more if I had more commitment.

My sketch book- www.samjonesthoughts.blogspot.com

Collected images and influences- www.eyesears.tumblr.com