Final Outcome Evaluation

This is my final outcome, which was predominately inspired by Mark Jenkins.

I used a technique using Sellotape and modelling it on a person, to make it look more realistic. I modelled the Sellotape on someone else as it saved time. I had the idea to hang it up, so I created stand to mount the hands on. This didn't work as well as I'd hoped as the added weight of the hands made the stands fall over, so I attached them to the main board and they stayed upright.

 My initial idea was to cover the hands in newspaper, however this was not broached in the exam as I felt it would it would detract from the main point of the piece, which is to call out to the sense of touch by using Sellotape, which is used in the sense to stick to the audience. However I could of used newspaper or another kind of paper to fill the hands to give them more colour, which I had explored before and liked the look of. The hands were made to appear to be bursting from the board as it was more effective than just mounting the hands. 

Another sense I was trying to provoke was sound, as I added the phrase "I'm sticking to you", which came from the song by The Velvet Underground "I'm sticking with you because I'm made out of glue", which when seen by an audience, I hoped would make them sing the song in their heads. I changed the "with" in the lyric however, replacing it with "to", as Sellotape literally sticks to you. I was going to use the whole line "I'm sticking to you because I'm made out of glue", however I would have been too long.

 I wanted the typography and hands to be 3D, as it would increase the amount of how visual it looked and that would link it to the sense of touch. I decided to have it hanging in the air as I wanted the hands to be reaching for each other. This idea was inspired by Zim & Zou, who also hang 3D objects around in effective ways. 

 I chose the colours pink and purple as they are colours linked which the sense of Love and Passion, which is what the song is about. 

The Sellotape and glue glistens in an effective way that sparkles in your eyes and gives the piece a sense of light. 

My work has changed through-out the year as I have gained more ideas and found more influences. At the beginning of the year for my previous typography project, my work was mainly computer generated; finding out new skills on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This gradually came to working with handmade material as I decided handmade work looks more impressive as its where I feel most comfortable. In the retail graphics project, I used computer designs on a pieces I made myself, so it was a mixture of both. This piece is completely hand made.    

If I was to do this again, I would try to find away the make the hands and boards stick together as just using Sellotape to stick them together was time consuming and messy. I would also defiantly fill the hands with materials, so it could give the piece more colour.

Mark Jenkins In- depth Analysis

This piece, made by Mark Jenkins is one the pieces where he makes figures using Sellotape. The use of Sellotape could show that figures are here to stay and part of everyday life. The colour gives the figures a ghostly and luminous quality that draws the eye and suggests that this is what the figure did in life and has become the norm for them, so they haunt it after they died. Mark Jenkins, like Banksy places his art on the street to make a point about society. In this picture, the ghostly dogs could be haunting this mess as Mark is criticising the fact that that this dump will be there forever and no one will clean it up, so it becomes a hunting ground for scavengers. The light from the dogs are the only thing that give the grim background light, so they could be considered a positive sight in the middle of and eye-sore. I enjoy Mark's work as it has a interesting colour and 3D element, which I have been studying for my final outcome. This piece could be for people to think about the environment and to treat areas where people live better.

Model hand experiments

I have an idea for my final outcome to cover the Sellotape hands with a few pieces of newspaper, inspired by Mark Jenkins figures made of Sellotape and Newspaper. The effect worked well, except it took a day to dry and I need it to dry faster in the exam. I used PVA glue for this example however for the exam I was planning not to completely cover the hands in Newspaper, so it would take less time to dry. I could also use dryer glue.

I was also seeing if typography made out of newspaper would work. I found it was easy to shape into  a neat font, however to get the letters to stay flat I needed to stick it down. Also I wanted the letters to me in a red and purple colour, easily achieved by using crepe paper, so I scraped the idea.

This was made to see if using a mannequin arm would be effective. I found it too hard to separate and too flat to be realistic, so I scraped the idea as well. To save time, I have decided to model on someone else's hands.

review of progress towards final exam

My Exam Plan

Tuesday 8th May: 9am to 11am- Sellotape modelling of left hand and right hand
                             11am to 12pm- Crepe paper modelling
                             13pm to 15 pm- Preparation for mounting and sticking

Wednesday 9th May: 9am to 10am- Mounting
                                  10am to 12pm- Evaluation


I have experimented with using Sellotape and Crepe paper before using paper, which I enjoyed more than cutting out the paper and has a more effective 3D look. I have also decided to model on my own hand after experimenting with using a mannequin hand and my own hand, as the mannequin hand looked too unrealistic and it was hard to separate the piece after I had finished with the mannequin. I have also decided that the hand is positioned to look like it is coming from the wall, not the floor. Which I have been trying to create before but I could not position the mount. This way it relates to the theme of love and the sense of touch more as the hands would look as if they were stretching towards each other.
Before the exam I will have to experiment with newspaper hands, which is inspired by Mark Jenkins figure of a man made out of newspaper reading a newspaper.                                                                

Chris Ede Style Poster

Based on the theme of love and the sense of touch, I created this piece to explore using computer editing. This poster style was inspired by Chris Ede, however I used photos rather than drawings of animals. I think this technique works well for images, but not for typography as the images require different shaped and texture.

Final Outcome Design

This is my final outcome idea, which was inspired by Mark Jenkins. I am linking this work to the senses of touch (which is represented by the hand and the theme of sticking) and to Sounds as I quote lyrics from the song by The Velvet Underground 'I'm sticking to you, 'cos I'm made out of glue'. It is my hope that when people look at it,  they hear the song in their head. This would be made for a 3D poster. For this piece I made it using, Sellotape, Double Sided tape, cling film, PVA glue and the red card to represent passion.

To expand this idea, I could extend this by making lips and hearts to extend the idea of passion. I could also try making this using different sticking phrases.

I mad this to experiment with different hand positions to create meaning, while also keeping the theme of sticking together and love. I was inspired to make a pair of lips after having a discussion with my teacher, but making a pair of realistic lips using Sellotape was harder then thought. I made the bottom lip using my thumb bent into position, then moulding it into lips later. To give the lips colour, I filled the hollow structure with colour. Continuing the theme of love, I crafted two hands making a loveheart sign. 

Initial Ideas- Food

My initial ideas for making food typography.

Making food shape into words, inspired by Vladimir Koncar. 

An experiment to bake a cake and turn into typography, inspired by Anna Garforth. Unfortunately the cake was made wrong so I decorated it in a way that more resembles Vladimir Koncar's food type. Like him I was interested in using sweets, because of the bright colours and the potent taste, which I could link to sight and taste.

Anna Garforth bakes biscuits, then using computer fonts creates precise and effective food typography.

I made this to highlight the use of not just typography, but the use of pictorial food. I made cupcakes and decorated them like animals. This one is to represent Spring so I made it into a chick. 

Vladimir Koncar uses different food shapes such as gummy bears, meat, beans and rotten apples to create a message related to the material and then the alphabet, using the same font. His idea is very simple, yet the use of the gummy bears gives him different colours to use and a 3D element with a lovely kind of luminous transparency.  

Initial Ideas- Paper

My initial ideas for using paper for my final outcome.

This was inspired by Zim & Zou's piece "Windoo", which love because of the freedom it represents. I used the similar shapes of the clouds to express to sensation of being 'free'. 

I made this for a paper experiment, in which I tried to 'rip' and fold the paper in a way that made it 3D. Here I folded, cut and ripped to create the rip. 

The colours Zim & Zou tend to use are bright shades of pink, red, green, blue, orange and yellow which helps to express positive feelings. The colours invade your senses and tie into the sense of sight. I would like to use this sort of colour scheme for my work. 

Although Zim & Zou make mostly pictorial designs and not really typography, they use paper and card to craft 3D shapes I could use to inspire my final piece.

This is an other example of Zim & Zou using other techniques that I could use as inspiration.

Initial Ideas - Textiles

My Initial Ideas for using textiles. Here I used Thread, Pins, Feathers, Fur, Zips, Glue and Sellotape 

An example of using thread in the 'Debbie Smyth' technique. I made it into a personal door sign. I used my favourite colours of thread and feathers to make it my own. 

Here I am using different techniques with textiles. This was inspired by line drawing, which I experimented with earlier. This has the potential of being made into an animated gif, showing how it was made.

Using my own type, I created this C to explore the effects of stitching. This would be good for embossing, however it took me a long time to stitch as it was done by hand. 

'Home Sweet Home' by Debbie Smyth. This was in an exhibition. It works well as a 3D poster as it tempts the audience to touch it.

Debbie Smyth has used a different technique by effectively using embroidery. Like the others, it uses pinned up thread, as it is the theme of her work.

This piece is effective as it uses the red colour to present passion and pain. The pins also represent pain and the untidy thread could symbolise chaos in what seems to be a perfect relationship. I like Debbie Smyth's style as her work is centred around love and home. I could use these themes in a way to represent light and touch.

My exploration of Sellotape modelling, inspired by Mark Jenkins. I think this could make a good final outcome as the hands link with touch and the Sellotape could be represented to be sticking to someone, which also makes it romantic in a way. I'd love to make this for my final outcome as I love the 3D and natural luminous effect. 

Double Exposure

Taking two photos, I have managed to merge them together and create a double exposure.

I chose two similar photos and placed one on top of each other on Photo Shop. Choosing the option Screen, I changed the top layers opacity to 50%. Immediately, the bottom layer came through, creating the double exposure.

Minimum Target Grade

Alis Target Grade: C
Predicted Grade: B

Watercolour text

I have experimented with a technique on PhotoShop, creating a watercolour effect without getting messy.

First I picked a text which had a believable hand-painted quality and gave the piece the title of 'WATER TOUCH', linking it to the sense of touch I am incorporating into my final outcome.

Selecting a size 35 pixel brush with a wet edge, and giving it a granite texture. This gave the brush a wet and splodgey look, so when I applied the brush to the page the colour came out light and faint. I used predominantly light blues to convey water, however, I used purples, pinks and greens to give the illusion of the paint washing and spreading out as it often does really. I was surprised how quick and simple this technique was.

This is an effective technique but I wouldn't use it in the exam as I am focusing on making my work hand-made and 3D.

Mark Jenkins analysis

Mark Jenkins, like Banksy is a street artist who exhibits his work on the street in different towns and countries, which conveys some meaning and humour. He makes mannequins or figures made of Sellotape, similar to my final outcome design. His work has a 3D quality I enjoy, which I wanted to incorporate into my final piece. Each piece has a well-made quality, which gives the figures life and makes them more realistic, as well as the positions they are in. The colour of the tape contrasts well with the background colours, giving the figures an attractive, luminous glow which makes a change to the duller scenery. 

More Targets

Have you explored and developed your ideas imaginatively? How have you demonstrated this?

Starting off by gaining influence from other pieces of typography, then working through different materials: working out what senses I could advertise by relating it to the material.

Have you researched a diverse range of artwork and completed this on your blog? Who have you analysed? Is your analysis in-depth?

I have looked at the work of Zim & Zou, so I experimented with paper, I looked at the work of Debbie Smyth, so i used certain textiles like thread and pins to create 3D typography. I also looked at Annie Garforth, who uses different materials, but I looked closely at her use of  food typography. I made several cakes and decorated them, not just focusing on typography.

Have you experimented with a wide range of techniques both handmade and computer generated? Which techniques have you used?

Mostly handmade typography as I was interested in making 3D typography as a animated GIF. However I have experimented with making 3D text before, using a tool in Illustrator called the blend tool.

Have you refined / developed your outcomes through experimentation? How?

I started by looking closely at using paper shapes, however my mind was changed when saw the use of Sellotape casting, as I thought I could use the Sellotape to represent the sense of touch by using the theme of being stuck to a hand. At first my message was 'Stick to me', however the use of Sellotape helped me develop this by making me think of the lines in a song by the Velvet Underground, 'I'm sticking with you, cos I'm made out of glue'.

Have you written in detail about your experiments and developments on your blog and used this information to help you improve?

I have written about all of my experiments, however some work key to to the experiments is not on there yet. I have yet to explain my initial ideas, building up to my final outcome, and use this questionnaire as a guideline to improve the detail of my written reports. 

Have you taken imaginative leaps/ shown a sense of discovery/ willingness to take risks in your work? If so how? If not, how can you do this?

I was willing to take risks by doing Sellotape crafting. On one of the experiments, the Sellotape was wrapped too tight, cutting off my blood line. I had to cut myself out, which also put me at risk. I had never used Sellotape to mould my shape before, and discovered how it works.

Have you shown enthusiasm and imagination in your work? If so, how? If not, how can you make changes to do this?

After looking at the work of Zim & Zou, I was enthusiastic to get my work to that standard. When using materials such as the Sellotape crafting, the food typography, paper experimentations and the Lino cutting and printing, I found I was enjoying myself by getting immersed in the work. Some of the work I made was not made for class in my own time, however I felt I could link them very well to my final outcome.

Have you created work that is exciting and original? If so, how? If not, what can you do to improve this area? 

I was the first in my class to use Sellotape moulding, but it was not original. The way it became original was when I developed it by using Sellotape to also make typography. The first time using it was exciting.

Have you annotated your blog thoroughly throughout?

Yes after I finished each set of work, I annotate my exploration through that field.

Have you practised with your exam outcomes by creating mock-ups? Are your outcomes skilful/ well constructed?

I have made two examples of my final outcome, changing the design slightly as I try new methods and different materials. I felt that the first was more atheistically pleasing, however the second had the best technique.

Have you created an exam plan?

I do not fully understand how the exam is set up, however I can look it up on the College blog, and map out what to do first in the exam.

SMART TARGETS FOR THE WEEK

• Finish the final outcome experiment homework
• Post my initial ideas on the blog
• Add to my Lino prints blog post

Exhibition Review

The first exhibition I went to was the Jeremy Dellar 'Joy in People' installation on the ground floor. The first thing I noticed was there was a lot of space around the rooms as the pieces were in there own neat corners. I first went to the artist's bedroom to have a look around at the art work I found in the draws and cupboards. I didn't understand every piece I saw as it seems that to understand everything you had to read the background information next to each piece and the exhibition leaflets, so I had to learn as I went along. He devoted his work to the subjects he was interested in. The subjects I picked up was that he was interested in was bats, the Manic Street Preachers and Joyriding, creating some typography and 3D film about bats, which was one of the highlights of the tour.

I then went upstairs to David Shrigley's 'Brain Activity' installation, which I started to enjoy immediately as I was faced with strange objects, figures and animations. There seemed to be more activity, and I was drawn in to pieces more. I felt like I didn't need to read most of the blurb for the pieces to understand the context of the themes: I could see the fascination in decay, death, bugs and routine and this all passes through the artist's mind. The animations I thought was particularly clever as they played out like images you get in your mind: weird, vague and uncomplicated. It relates well with it's topic 'brain activity'. The drawings were also interesting as I spotted sort of parodies of famous paintings, yet made in a childish style, such as Edvard Munch's 'The Scream', which was made comedic with the caption of 'oh fuck', which is a sort of knee-jerk thought in modern society when something bad happens, which helps to explore the brain's activity.

I think I came away more inspired by David Shrigley's installation, even though I am focusing on a typographical outcome. His gave me more of a response, and tested my senses more than Jeremy Dellar, which is related to my sensory typography. Not only was his work more 3D, but was using animation, which is what I want my outcome to be: 3D and exploring animation or moving image. However, I was impressed with the 3D film of bats by Jeremy Dellar, David Shrigley used a wider range of materials which inspired me as well. Jeremy Dellar explored more with the typography, using what he liked or what he was interested in drive his pieces, and I as interested in some of his banners as well, as they also gave an illustration influence as well.

David Shrigley and Jeremy Dellar exhibition sketches

Jeremy Dellar's exhibition poster

Jeremy Dellar's slogans on banners
around Valerie's snack bar

Jeremy Dellar's 'I <3 JOYRIDING' project

Sketch of Valerie's snack bar

Banner for unrepentant smokers

Manic Street Preacher's typography
by Jeremy Dellar in his portfolio

Watching 'Beyond  the White Walls' by Jeremy Dellar

Picture of children in army uniform,
holding up American flag made from a cross

A cross, erected to pay respect to the children
 who lost their lives in a car crash due to drunk driving

David Shrigley's exhibition: 'I'm Dead' and 'Brain Activity'

Painting by David Shrigley

My favourite David Shrigley Painting: PISS

Taxidermy: headless squirrel  

Taxidermy: dead rat

Taxidermy: Ostrich 

Taxidermy: I'm dead

Animation: Light switch 

Animation: Headless Drummer

Animation: Ones

Animation: Conveyor Belt

Animation: Sleep

Gravestone

Visual representation: insects. The rectangular hole

Visual representation: insects. The peeping hole. What's inside?

Visual representation: insects.
Inside the peep hole: a mass of pink worms or intestines

Stick-men on car bonnet