Alex Waterson @awatersonreflectiveblog - Tumblr Blog

Conclusion.

After this first semester I feel I have definitely developed substantially. I came onto this course really worrying about the fact I have not done a foundation year and came straight from 6th form but after the first 3 months I have realised it didn't really matter. I don't feel like I am behind on skills using illustrator or anything else.

In terms of graphic design or illustration I am definitely towards the graphic design side. I seemed to enjoy the type briefs a lot more than I did with the first three briefs. I feel the outcomes for the two type briefs were a lot better than the illustration brief also which makes me feel I am more suited for graphic design than illustration.

When I started this course I had never used any of the processes I now use every day in university. Illustrator, Indesign, screen printing, lino, risograph, the list could go on and on till I name every piece of software and machinery in the building but Im sure you get the point. Now I feel confident to go in a use any of these and I think this is a big improvement from when I started. Being after to use things like illustrator has improved my work so much. Now i know how to use it I keep looking back at projects I've done in sixth from and outside where If I redid it now I know I could make it so much better.

#GRAPHIC DESIGN #REFLECTION #UNI

Reflection on Laura's Lecture.

After doing Laura's tumblr task I have realised I have a terrible memory but I have realised how many interests or influences which I had when I was younger but I still have now. There was a lot I felt I could relate to at my age today.

I also discovered I say alot alot.

It has made me see the path ive taken to get where I am today, something I havent ever looked back on but I feel there are alot of moments in my life which all point in the direction I am at now. Things which happened years ago have actually put me in the position where I am today, things which I wouldn't of even thought would have any serious consequences.

#reflection

16,17 and finally 18

Although it was sound a cliche my girlfriend has been a big influence to my life and a major part of it. When I met her when I was 16 my life has been very different. She changed the way I think, do things, everything. I have such a different outlook on life after meeting her.

(http://images.clipartpanda.com/girlfriend-clipart-in-love.svg)

Year 17. Photography

The age of 17 was a major year for me, It was the year I discovered photography. Just turned 17 was the first time I started photography as a hobby and just 6 months later I had completed a full A-Level in the subject. It was a passion of mine which just seemed to erupt into what it has became now.

(http://photography.v7n.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/photography2.jpg)

Year 18. LJMU

Finally 18. This was one of the biggest years for me. I started Uni and started a new life with alot of new experiences and new people and so far I have loved every second of it.

(http://www.visionslearningtrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/LJMU-logo-sq.jpg)

Years 11-15

Year 11. start of school

This way the year I started secondary school. It was both an interesting but scary experience. It was almost a landmark of becoming more grown up. Now I was taken away from the cotton wool land and thrown into the real world. It really made me realise the way life really was, that you are your own independent person and you need to do what you need to do cause no one else is going to do it for you.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ms/d/df/HighschoolmusicalCD.jpg)

Year 12. Bioshock

Bioshock, a video game based in an underwater city set in the 1920's threw me into the world of design and art. It showed me the clear art deco design style. This is when I first developed my love for the art style and I place it directly on the game Bioshock which I still love to this day.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yyEFBsgyOAM/TEqUn5M1DSI/AAAAAAAAAIM/rXnKcfEEzSk/s1600/bioshock-title.jpg)

Year 13. Donnie Darko

One of the first films which I looked at in a more 'arty' and deeper sense. It was the first film which I watched over and over again. It made me research into the story of the film and the possibilities of the story. It also created an interest of more grotesque and surreal images, with one of the main characters being Frank the 6ft rabbit I don't see how I could ignore this subject matter.

(http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Donnie_Darko.jpg)

Year 14. Hans zimmer Inception film score

With the release of the film Inception it really opened my eyes to film scores and soundtracks. It opened my eyes to the way in which sound could influence the visuals. Especially the track 'time' amazed me and i was so intrigued the way the music had been written for the specific scenes.

(https://www.drupal.org/files/images/0715-INCEPTION-movie-review_full_600.jpg)

Year 15. Amsterdam

I went to Amsterdam at the age of 15 with a group of friends from school as part of a school trip. This trip really made me appreciate people. It was one of the moments I realised how important people are for others to survive. Without people and friends life dose not have influences.

A day with out a good conversation isn't a real day.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Amsterdam_Canal.jpg)

Years 6-10

6. Rolo to the rescue,

2001 was the first time I played and experienced video games. My first was rolo to the rescue, a platform game in which you were an elephant who had to rescue your fellow animals. It was an emotional rollercoaster and once you got on board you could never leave.

(image from http://www.vizzed.com/play/rolo-to-the-rescue-gen-online-sega-genesis-4730-game)

7.playing with friends

This was the age I was allowed to go to my friends house down the road as much as I wanted and was allowed in. Having your best friend live in the same street was a real advantage to being able to play. Every night we we alternate on whos house we went to. It was basically like we lived together.

This really thought me the importantance of people. To be kind and nice to get that in return. It also thought me to explore and experience different situations. We were always going out in the overgrowth behind our houses to find new hiding places or collecting certain colour leaves. Alot I did then I feel I still do now.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/09/24/article-1215952-06937933000005DC-287_468x584.jpg)

8. Nintendo Gamecube,

The next level of gaming was the humble gamecube which I got for christmas 2003. A small purple cube which let you play so many different things.

This was one of the first times I noticed product design, I was so confused how it had the name gamecube but yet it was more rectangular. I realised everything was designed and for a reason.

(http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130212144209/logopedia/images/6/6b/Gamecube.jpg)

9.Portable CD player

This was the height of technology, having a portable (not exactly slide in your pocket portable) CD player. This opened my world to music and the way life can intertwine with music. The way your brain connects rhythm to the visuals you see and the actions you do. This hasn't left me and never will and I think this CD player was the start of my love for music.

(http://assets5.heart.co.uk/2013/45/cd-player-1384527188-view-0.jpg)

10. Las vegas

When I was ten I went to las vegas for my aunties and uncles wedding. It is the first holiday I can clearly remember. I remember being so excited to be on a plane and so excited to be in a different country.

(http://picsndquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Las-Vegas-images.jpg)

#GRAPHIC DESIGN

Years 1-5

Year 1.Cuddles

I think with every one year old cuddles are a big part of their life and probably what dominates the first year. Everyone and anyone trying to cuddle a new born.

(http://cdn.cutestpaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/l-Polar-Cuddles.jpg)

Year 2. Lamby

At the age of two my life was dominated by Lamby. A soft toy which was given to me by my nan on my first birthday. Lamby became part of the family and came everywhere with me and no night could be slept with out him by my side.

(http://www.coolkids.co.za/61-thickbox/meadow-medley-lamby.jpg)

Year 3. Toy Story VHS

Age three was all about the continuous repeating of the toy story video, as soon as that film ended it was rewound and put on again. It is one of my earlier memories just remembering short segments from the film. I think no one had ever got their money worths out of a VHS like I did.

(http://mlm-s2-p.mlstatic.com/pelicula-vhs-toy-story-1-13378-MLM3001572135_082012-F.jpg)

Year 4. Thomas the tank engine

Thomas was the next character on the scene. The fun loving train was all I thought about at the age of four and he was one of my first kind of legible drawings. Although it may not look like Thomas I can clearly remember intending for the lines to somehow create a likeness. It ended up just looking like a circle with a face but God loves a trier.

(http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/U.S./876/493/thomas-the-tank-engine.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)

Year 5. LEGO

This was the age I first started playing with LEGO and started thinking of the world as design and creating shapes with the LEGO blocks. Once I picked up the lego I was hooked and loved it and even now cant resist to 'help' my younger cousins at christmas when they get a brand new LEGO set. It was the first time I played with 3D creation.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Lego_Color_Bricks.jpg_)

#GRAPHIC DESIGN

Reflecting on Seels lecture.

Doing this 'Rules' task has helped me realise the way I work, before hand I didn't think I worked to so many constraints but once I thought about it I have realised these rules have always applied to my work current and previous.

From this I do think I have a more clear work direction, I feel as a designer/illustrator I know what I am in terms of what type of work I am going to produce because of these rules.

A rule of seel's which I found really useful was to set yourself more boundaries. This is a rule which I have started to implement in my own work and I will most likely continue to use this rule in the future as so far it has helped me gain a clear directive from the briefs so far.

#GRAPHIC DESIGN

RULE 6. Have fun.

With anything in life whats the point in doing it if you're not having fun doing so. What ever it is find some way to make fun time out of it, wether thats enjoying researching into a subject or enjoying a process of creating the piece just enjoy yourself, you only get one life.

#GRAPHIC #DESIGN #RULES

RULE 5. Deal with white space.

Some people hate white pages and white space, if so throw some lines or colour down on the page, don't let it intimidate you. Get something down wether its useful or not it will encourage other and better ideas.

On the other hand embrace white space and use it to your advantage. White space or void can make a piece that extra bit better. Wether you use it as pacing or part of a design, if you can use it properly then USE IT.

#GRAPHIC #DESIGN #RULES

RULE 4. Don't be precious

When going through ideas don't finish ever quick sketch, don't treat your sketchbook like the holy grail just get your ideas down the way you want to. Your sketchbook is simply that, a book of sketches not finished pieces so if it gets bent or something spilt on it so what you can always still use the ideas.

Don't be afraid to go a bit mad with it.

#GRAPHIC #DESIGN #RULES

RULE 3. Be ambitious

Never settle for whats needed, always go that extra push to experiment and create something new.

Always go that extra push even if it does take you out of your way and is more effort you will always be proud of yourself if you've gone that extra mile.

#RULE #GRAPHIC #DESIGN

RULE 2. Take your time

My second rule is too take your time completing anything. Getting somethings half done at the pace you need is a better outcome than rushing a piece of work to get it done. Don't ruin a piece by rushing to finish the second half.

#RULES #GRAPHIC #DESIGN

RULE 1. keep it simple

The first rule I always go by is to keep it simple. Don't overcomplicate the situation when you don't need too. A lot of the time simplicity shows confidence in your work so it ends up creating a much stronger piece of graphic work.

#RULE #GRAPHIC #DESIGN

Home.

My home is littered with what i would call artifacts. Posters, artwork, photographs, tickets and everything in between. It is a place littered with documentation of memories and events.

I feel it is very important to have a documentation of life to reflect on previous events and memories. I feel with out this documentation we wouldn't be able to appreciate life. We would have nothing to compare life to. The bad times with the good and the good with the better times. With out the documentation of life we can sometimes forget how privileged we are.

Work.

I never throw any work away. I keep all my work if i think its good or bad I will always keep it. With my photography I always try to get a physical copy of my work. Similar to the collecting vinyl work I believe having physical copies of work is a way to appreciate it more.

Stuff I like.

I like to collect. I have n abundance of different collections all of objects or items which I find interesting. I collect Vinyl records, these are a love of mine although they might be more expensive than just downloading an album I love the fact of having a physical object. I feel society now days is very disposable and i feel this is why I collect objects I love the ownership of it. Since being bought my fist vinyl it has become an ongoing and ever growing collection. I will buy vinyls because of the music on it, the album artwork or something which makes a vinyl different from all the others, what ever it is It has become a passion of mine.

I also collect artwork or prints or anything I find artistically interesting. Leaflets/flyers/adverts just any printed document which I feel is nice I will keep. I use it as a source of inspiration.

Me, Myself and I.

I record my life alot with photographs, especially polaroid photographs. I love capturing moment in life and I fell like polaroids are an amaing way of capturing the moment. It lets me document life but aldo not have the distraction of looking at the photograph on a screen and taking another. These photographs illustrate a moment and capture that moment with out any editing.

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Alex Waterson