End of module self evaluation

Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION	Level	04
OUIL404 Visual Language	Credits	20
End of Module Self Evaluation

NAME	Kieran Jeffery

1.  Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice?
Throughout this module I think that I have learned a wide range of skills and methodologies that will become useful tools in helping me progress as an illustrator. Through processes of observational drawing and line and mark making, I have developed and refined my drawing abilities and I consider the power of line quality when making any image. I have learned that line can be used in such an effective way and I now know that sometimes it can be more effective to reduce line down to a simple form to communicate a shape or idea. Another skill I have developed during this module is the ability to work with shape and texture. This is where I feel I have learned the most about how to make an image in a contemporary way. I have always been so used to drawing with basic pen and pencil media but this module has helped break out of that pattern and develop my knowledge and think about work more in terms of shape, texture and using new medias to create a more diverse range of outcomes. Composition is another practical skill I have developed during this module. I feel I am much more confident when composing an image within a scene and think this this is going to become a very useful tool when creating work for future projects and also my own personal practice.
2. Which principles/ theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?
I have personally found each principle of image making to be valuable during this module. However, the most valuable principles for me are shape and texture. This is simply because I have never before considered these elements when making an image but I now understand that these theories of image making can be so effective, especially in the growing world of contemporary illustration. Considering shape and texture when making and image helps push me into experimenting and exploring with a wider range of media to create work in a more unique way. I have also leaned new process of making images such as screen-printing. I have found this to have huge value in my progression as an image maker. I really enjoyed the process of screen-printing and I think it has the potential to make my work look much more professional. The new principles and theories I have gained during this module has had a huge impact on the way I think about approaching my illustrations and I will employ this new knowledge into my own personal practice.
3. What strengths can you identify with your visual language submission and how can you capitalise on these
I think the strengths that I can identify with this submission is the way in which I think about making work. Before this module I was quite naïve in terms of what I considered to be illustration. Over the course of this module I now think that my eyes have been opened to more possibilities in terms of the media I will use and how to compose and image within a scene. My strongest part of illustration has always been my drawing ability and I think I have shown this during this module. Drawing has always been my primary form of communication through image and this is good but I have new ways in which I can communicate ideas that will defiantly filter into my own personal practice. 4. What areas for development can you identify within your Visual Language submission and how will you address these in the future?
There are always areas that can be developed within my own practice of illustration. I can always develop my drawing and crafting skills; I can always further develop my skills of using shape and texture. But for this module I think area that could use the most development is the willingness to explore the world of illustration and gain reference and principles from existing illustrators. This is my next step. I need to realise what kind of work is being made and how I can capitalise on these forms of illustration and integrate it into my own personal practice. This is how I will become a more realised illustrator by submerging myself into the creative world.
5. In what way has this module informed how you deconstruct and analyse artwork (whether your own or that of contemporary practitioners)? From constantly making my own work and then seeing how peers have tackled the same task, this module has defiantly helped my skills when it comes to analysing artwork. When I now look at artwork I consider how the image has been made in terms of the media used, the composition and how effectively it communicates an idea. This is good for me because I now also know that my abilities of critically analysing pieces of illustration is becoming stronger and this will have a huge impact on how I create my own work and my peruse my personal practice of an image maker.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance		x
Punctuality		x
Motivation			x
Commitment				x
Quantity of work produced			x
Quality of work produced				x
Contribution to the group			x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self-evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.