An illustration can take many forms, when we think of illustration we naturally think of beautiful hand drawings in a children’s book, comic art or a piece of art for its own sake. However an illustration can take many forms and be created using many different tools, both classic tools (Pen, pencil, paper), early digital machines (photocopier, fax machine) or today’s computer based software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate). Each technique as its own use cases, and all can create meaningful and effective illustrations. The scope of illustration is boundless and can have many different applications, such as icons, brand logos, as well as User Interface elements.
In this week’s lecture we looked at illustration and all the different ways to create illustrations, from classic techniques to today’s computer software. For me, I tend to revert to assuming illustration requires a high level of drawing skill, which is not something I would claim to have. I would also tend to jump straight onto computer software to create any illustrative content I need. This week’s lecture opened my eyes to the many different techniques that I could use, instead of immediately jumping onto a computer.
While I was aware of drawing, I hadn’t fully considered the other methods of creating illustrations I could use such as a photocopier or creating collages. These are techniques I would really like to try, they may not suit my current deliverable, but having a go and trying these techniques can only add to my creative toolset and provide new inspiration.
We also looked at designers who use some of these different techniques in their work; interestingly last week I had been looking at the book by Wolfgang Weingart: My Way to Typography for my other module this semester and came across this image:
It caught my eye with how Weingart had placed photography within the outline of a bird, I really liked the technique and the effect it created. Looking at the time this piece would have been created I realise it he must have used a photocopier and layered the images over the outline and then photocopied the result, possibly many times to get to the finished piece. I would really like to create a piece like this as a challenge to myself and to try something new.
Dan Fern is an artist and graphic designer who has worked in many visual communication fields. The work I have been looking at is his work involving collage and the use of a photocopier.
Source (https://www.coningsbygallery.com/image/5535/super) Last Accessed 17/02/23
This piece with letters and red paint (which gives the impression of blood) placed on top of a map, makes a very strong visual impression. The layering of different elements on top of an old map, creates a whole new image, with a whole new meaning. Its a fascinating piece and a really interesting use of disparate elements brought together to create a work of art.
Source (https://www.coningsbygallery.com/product/detail/1096) Last Accessed 17/02/23
This is another of Dan Fern’s works called “Beyond The Horizon 2”. In this piece I love the effect of texture he has managed to create in the middle of the piece on what look like mountains but could also be seen as large waves breaking. This texture is not something I feel you could replicate in Photoshop or Illustrator, this texture requires a physical object at some point in the creative process. I feel Dan Fern’s work really shows how using physical objects can give a piece a unique look and feel, much more organic than, a computer created piece. Something I can keep in mind as I continue in my design education and career journey.
Jake Tilson is an artist, designer an typographer, who regularly uses collage techniques in his work. The piece below was created for the Oxford Food Symposium.
