Paige Maddox- Illustration and Communication

  When producing my most of my designs, I've been using Posca Pens.  The main reasons on why I've chosen this medium is because it's a traditional method, the colours are bold and I've seen a few artists use them so I wanted to try using them for my own work.  I think that using Posca Pens has made my designs successful because the colours of the pens suit my art style.  Based on how I've used this medium a lot, I think that I could try experimenting with other mediums. As Posca Pens are a traditional method, i could try applying colour digitally to see which technique is more effective for my designs.  

 

 

  For this task, I was challenged with combining lettering and image. As, the letters will spell the word merry, I tried to come up with a design that would link to Christmas. The colour scheme was limited to: Red, Green, Yellow, Black and White.  For the design presented, I've show the bottom of the letter "R" to be presents that are stacked on top of each other. At the top of the letter, I wanted to show a girl balancing on top of these presents, trying to put a star on the tree. To out-line the letter, I decided to draw some lights.  I believe that this design is successful because I've thought about how the combine image and text. Also, I made sure that the design wasn't too complicated. To add pattern to certain elements, such as the clothing and presents, I've applied a variety of dots and lines. I was worried that the colour scheme wouldn't make the presents stand out but I do think that applying these patterns helped. To improve this design even fu...

 

 After producing some thumbnail designs, I decided to focus on creating some spot illustrations.  The first spot illustration presents a person trapped inside of a cage. Because circus animals spend 11 months within a year in a cage when travelling, I wanted to show a reverse aspect. I believe that this drawing is successful because I've created an illustration by using a limited amount of space. I think that the design as a whole is quite effective because it can make viewers think about what it would be like if we were restricted within a cage for that amount of time.  The second spot illustration shows a lion holding an electric prod. Based upon my research, I found out that the animal trainers use this tool to force animals to perform their tricks. For this design, I wanted to show what it would be like if the lion was the trainer. I like this illustration because it could suggest how having a wild animal controlling a human being isn't funny. So it could make viewers...

  I've recently started to create some thumbnail designs and I'll pick the strongest and most successful design for my cover.  For the first to designs, I've presented a close up shot and further away shot of  a circus performer wearing a muzzle and performing a trick. I decided to draw from two different perspectives so I could see what details were important and which were not necessary. For both designs, I tried to add visual hints of glamour by drawing flashed and a spot light. I think this makes it ironic because viewers see the circus as funny, entertaining and glamourous but really there is neglect and abuse being targeted towards the animals.  The next few ideas present the same message/ idea but I've tried experimenting with different angles to see which design would work best with the typography. the drawings present a circus trainer performing tricks whilst the animals are the audience. To link my chosen slogan, "Is it funny now?" to the design, I...

I've started to extend my research within animal cruelty within the Circus. I've found out: What Countries still have animals within Circuses How they force animals to perform tricks What happens if they don't listen to the trainer  How it can affect their health How they cover up their bruises/ wounds      At the bottom of my sketchbook, I've written down some ideas that I can draw for a cover design.  My next stages are to now draw out a variety of thumbnails and present messages that link to my research.

 

 For this task, I was challenged with producing an illustration that shows my own world. Within this illustration, I wanted to show what I value. For example, I've drawn a cartoon version of me sitting on top of my world with my two dogs.  I think my design is successful because I've used a mixture of detailed and simple lines. Also, I've tried incorporating illustration on the inside of the world as well as the outside.  However, I think that I could try improving this design by applying colour to it.

             For this lesson,  I was given the task to make my own rubber stamps.  I think that this task was quite challenging because I was cutting my designs out on a small surface.  I think that the cloud and ghost design are successful. For both designs, I cut into the illustration and left the background as rubber.  The skull design didn't work at first because I hadn't cut into the background enough. But after cutting into the background and leaving the skull in rubber, it worked effectively. To create the colours for the designs, I used felt tip or a highlighter. The colours eventually were layered on top of each other. That's why with some designs, such as the purple, it looks like pink and blue have been applied together. I like how this makes has a risograph look to it.