CREATIVITY AND PLAY

CREATIVITY AND PLAY I EGRD 1006CHRISTOPHER LALANDE I 0901152

Paper LimitationsWhen experimenting with paper I tried a number of different techniques such as tearing, folding, creasing etc. However my final work came after I experimented with cutting. As I cut the letter of the alphabet out, the remains reminded me of shredded paper which lead to these designs. I was also advised to experiment with colour paper, which had a very vibrant effect, which I believe is a lot more appealing that plain white as it’s very eye-catching and grabs people’s attention.

Above: For my first attempt with shredded paper I tied each strip together to form the letters. Although I think the concept was good it was a failure as the letters kept falling apart everytime they were touched.

Above and Right: For my original experimentation with cutting I cut out the alphabet in a stencil style. I experimented with stroke widths while doing so to give my alphabet a more varied, unique approach than a standard stencil alphabet.

Pencil LimitationsMy experimentation with the limitations of the pencil was inspired by a concept by Daniel Jarvis who combined a pen within the wooden shell of a pencil. I then came up with a number of alternative ways to combine the two tools before designing prototypes.

PinholeThese pinhole images are an achievement for me as previously my attempts to make a pinhole camera had failed. Although the photographs are distorted and light has been exposed to the film, I believe the effect is quite pleasurable.

Information GraphicsThe concept behind my information graphic booklet was to show the tools and actions needed for building a pinhole camera in a unique way, incorporating photographs and illustrations.

Pinhole vs. DigitalOriginally we were asked to use our pinhole cameras to capture images relating to our Time and Motion brief. As mine was about ageing, I used my pinhole to take images of various generations of my family. Although not all the pinhole photographs came out clear I was very happy with the end result and was able to match them with their digital counterparts.

Old vs. NewFor the Old vs. New brief, I chose Vinyl vs. Digital Music as I have a personal interest in music. However instead of just focusing on the two forms, I chose to look at the evolution of music from Vinyl records to mp3 players and iPods. One of the ways I achieved this was by redesigning some of the iconic iPod adverts to advertise alternative players. Using the iPod theme, I used bright colours that again attract people’s attention.

Contrasting LogosDesigning logos based on Contrast was relatively simple, however this was my first experimentation with Adobe Illustrator and I experienced some difficulties at first, however I now feel confident with my skills and feel that’s reflected in the work above.

R 77G 192B 222

R 236G 33B 36

R 77G 192B 222

R 29G 25B 83

R 236G 33B 36

R 231G 225B 22

R 153G 37B 143

R 255G 242B 0

R 90G 46B 145

R 107G 164B 68

R 192G 28B 34

R 255G 242B 0

R 238G 55B 122

Time and MotionFor Time and Motion I experimented with a media I had not yet tried; film. My concept was based on our generation’s fear of ageing, and the horror of it happening so radically and unexpected. Originally intending it to be a modern horror film, I was inspired while editing to make it in the style of vintage horror films, with Alfred Hitchcock being a huge inspiration.

INDEPENDENTPRACTICE

CREATIVITY AND PLAY I EGRD 1001CHRISTOPHER LALANDE I 0901152

EvaluationI’ve found the past semester of work to a challenge to my existing skills and has allowed me to develop new ones too. I personally found the paper brief to be very creative as there were many options I could explore, especially when I was advised during my critique to break the brief and incorporate coloured paper. I enjoyed experimenting with it and came up with most of my work just by mess-ing around with the paper. I also found Time and Motion to be a very ‘playful’ brief as I experimented with film for the first time and although the film comes across as a thriller, behind the scenes it felt like a comedy and half the footage was either improvised or thought up by me as we filmed.

At the beginning of the semester, I felt quite restricted on our initial briefs and I feel that’s reflected in my work. However since then I have found ways to expand my creative approaches around the brief and produce work that both meets the brief and that I feel is more imaginative. Another problem I’ve had is that sometimes when a brief is very short, I can’t ‘get into it’. I feel that when I’m given more time I produce a better quality of work.

I recently used film for the first time in a project. My Time and Motion project was definitely an experiment and I was unsure how the end result would turn out but I was actually quite happy with it (although it requires more editing) and found myself rather comfortable behind the camera. I may possibly experiment with filming again for future briefs. I also recently used Adobe Illustrator for the first time on the logos brief. Despite an initially bad start I soon adapted to the program and was able to deliver a successful batch of logos.

Overall I believe I could of experimented with different medias for many of the briefs and will aim to do so for future briefs, so that I can expand my skills and present a portfolio with more variety.

Chalk & CheeseDesigned and created with Reece Crawford for the Chalk & Cheese workshop, the simple, elegant poster shows a combination of two typefaces, one more old-fashioned and the other modern. I loved the idea of showing two different contrasts, the typefaces and the colours, in a single poster.

Complements and ContrastsExploring my love for colour, I created this art piece by using a selection of colours that either complement or contrast. I liked the idea that tit generated different emotions and reactions depending on where you looked, either like the colours together or loathing them.

Painting EmotionsHaving looked at how colours can be used to portray emotions, I experimented with a media I am not too familar with, paint. The painting to my left was inspired by colours and patterns found in ‘mood rings’ while the others represent the wide range of emotions a single person can feel.

Paint vs. DigitalFor a bit of an experiment I decided to try two different medias to produce the same poster. Inspired by various posters that features numerous words, fonts and colours, I created one with different emotions and the stereotypical colours.

Colour, Emotion and PhotographyContinuing my exploration of colours and emotions, I took a series of photographs portraying a wide range of emotions and using colour to help emphasise this. I had the idea that people could look at these photos and be able to tell the emotion my subject is feeling primarily by the highlighted colour.

Colourful PinholeAfter the success of my last pinhole, I was eager to try some more, and decided to indulge in my love for colour by purposely searching out various coloured objects to photograph. My favourite is the image featured on the next page, where coloured paper almost looks like stained glass due to the lighting.

EvaluationI believe that the Independent Practice has allowed me to expand on my existing skills and experiment with medias I was previously unfamilar with. In the past I had only occasionally used paint and my interest in art was minimum however over the past year or so I’ve found it fascinating so I enjoyed practicing my skills. I also took more of an interest in pinhole photography after my last at-tempt proved successful and I am more than happy with the results. It’s likely that I’ll experiment with pinhole more in the future.

Initially I was rather uninspired in regards as to what to do for my Independent Practice however I later drew inspiration from a piece by Alan Fletcher of eight blocks of colours, each labelled with an emotion. The piece is simple, bold and eye-catching and I was intrigued by the meaning behind it. I then decided to explore the concept of colours and emotions. The work I produced was further influenced by my love of colour and I enjoyed using it throughout my work.