evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation

BA(hons) Illustration

Module Code: LAUIL402 Professional Practice 1

Name: Cait McEniff

Student ID: 267534

Evaluation (See guidance below for more information). 500 words

I have really enjoyed this module, I’ve found it to be a contemplative and interesting investigation into the wider context of illustration and where practitioners and myself fit into it. I found the Applied Illustration study task really valuable, it made me realise my interest in illustration as something tactile, tangible, may that simply be a print, or as a book or something crafted like ceramics or textiles. Going forward into level 5 I would definitely like to explore my work in the context of crafted illustration and get an induction into ceramics. The dream is to paint a mural soon. The importance of books is something that I’ve looked at during this module. How does illustration exist in the context of turnable pages and a tangible object. I didn’t expect to enjoy the sequential task as panel comic illustration isn’t something I’ve done before or necessarily read a lot of, but I loved it. Seeing sequential illustration which visually excites and resonates with me for example the work of Mouni Feddag or Aidan Koch or Bill Bragg, made me excited at the possibility of making my work into this format. For the first time I was able to put myself into my own work, during this year my self confidence has rocketed, I’ve grown the confidence to drawn myself and understand myself and my ways of working, I think I am more my true self than I was at the start of this year. During this year I’ve been able to widen my knowledge of contemporary illustration and get a greater understanding of the work I like and the work I want to make. I’ve noticed a shift in being drawn to looser, low fi, shape, simple form driven work, something I can also see being referenced in my personal practice through starting to experiment more with for example cut paper. Doing the interdisciplinary task I reflected on the impact my childhood had on me as a creative. This isn’t something I had really considered before, but through sitting down to write about it I now understand how valuable my childhood and memories is to my work. I’ve come to realise during this module and in general throughout the year the importance in childlike curiosity and a joy in learning and experiencing. This is something I’m constantly striving to put into my work, I want to make playful, joyful illustration that shows the viewer the way in which I view the world and the wonders in it. This module has helped me to recognise how my wider interests and what excites me relate to my practice, its been valuable to reflect on this and to understand that without these aspects which make up my life, my work would lack personality and drive. Laura Carlin’s talk has been hugely valuable to me this year, it made me feel less daunted at the idea of being an illustrator and a creative. To hear someone so successful speak so honestly about how its okay to be uninspired and how we should not put the pressure on yourself to be successful and get jobs instantly, this was important to hear. She spoke about how her childhood influenced the work she made now, for example drawing meticulous battle scenes as a child, a recurring theme in her work now. I’ve been learning to recognise and celebrate these links that my life experiences have in the work I’m making. Preparing for my presentation was at first extremely daunting as the prospect of public speaking terrifies me, but once I got into putting together the slides I felt much more relaxed. The presentation has helped me to make sense of my year as a whole and to see how far I’ve developed both in my work and as a person. It’s been really motivating to view my practice like this. I want my presentation to serve as a roundup of my strengths and weaknesses and what influences my creative practice, my interests and my daily life.