Video sketchbook tour password: djcad2018
In our second module, Ways of Seeing, we were taught about and encouraged to explore principles of visual language – primarily drawing – for communication and problem solving, as well as documenting our creative process. We experimented with “blind drawing”, interview and continuous line drawings, used conductive ink for portraiture, had a workshop using Arduino, and many other tasks, all building on our visual and digital literacy.
Blind Drawings
Our first task was layering blind drawings. This was an introductory task, aimed to get us into the “flow” of drawing. We had to do three sketches of each person on our table, each with a different colour pen, layered on top of one another, only looking at the person we were drawing without looking at the drawing itself. These first three layered portraits took about 20-30 seconds per layer, and took up half an A3 page each; then we switched tables so we were with three new people, and draw three more layered portraits, this time taking roughly a minute to produce a full A3 portrait.
At first I found it very challenging, as I have had very little experience with drawing and portraiture, especially when unable to see the page; however as I drew more and more I found that I enjoyed the faster portraits, as it was more emotive and less detailed. Everyone I spoke with while drawing them, especially the longer sessions, found the task very unusual and slightly disconcerting, as we spent more than three minutes staring at each other’s faces, it felt like you got to know the other person in a strange way.
As discussed in J Berger’s “Ways of Seeing”, art is centred on perspective. Although this source focuses mainly on photography initially, this task takes advantage of only using perspective, and rather than allowing the artist to constantly re-asses their work, by making them “blind” it shows only their initial perspective.
Interview and Portrait
Our next task was a large continuous line drawing of our partner and an interview. While one of us drew the other, the “model” asked the “drawer” interview questions.
Although I struggle with detailed and precise drawing – especially faces – I was very happy with the resulting portrait, despite my initial self-doubt. I really enjoyed the drawing and interviewing relationship. I decided to mind-map my interview rather than use its or bullet points; I found this facilitated a more conversational dialogue, which we both enjoyed.
I use some more single-line drawing later in the module, as I found it to be a very effective and visually appealing method of quickly expressing ideas.
Conductive ink and circuit drawings
We were given a short intro on conductive ink, a black paint-like substance that can transfer current. This ink can be used to connect cells and LEDs, and can even incorporate switches. At first our simple circuits, consisting of a single cell, an LED and a switch, did not work; but we soon came to the conclusion that the conductive ink was (ironically) not conductive enough. We remedied this by combining the cells to become a larger battery, which resulted in a softly glowing LED when the switch was closed.
After this initial circuit we were tasked to create a portrait incorporating the conductive ink/LEDs in some way. I decided to use conductive wire for this portrait, as it apparently is more conductive than the ink. I draw Rory sitting next to me, also drawing, and weaved the wire as part of his pen.
Visual personality profiles
For our next task, we had to conduct a more in-depth interview in pairs, and create a visual personality profile of the person. This was quite an interpretive brief, and could’ve been taken in many directions. I worked with Sophie, and initially experimented with full body or extremely close portraits, trying to incorporate snippets of dialogue or facts about Sophie. The initial approach was a “book” of tracking paper, with layers similar to the first task of the module. Each layer had a portrait from a different angle, with more and more “things” about Sophie, collected from the interview. I wanted to encourage people to look through the book, as if they were looking through layers of a personality.
Walk-through of initial “book” profile video
I then tried using smaller pieces of tracing paper to create rough “broken” portraits, which I really liked. I then used acetate, which made them look much nicer due to its transparency. These images had similar layers to the first, but with the added options to mix and move them.
These looked especially good on the stdio windows. I found it really interesting to “break” the portraits, and separate the blue and red layers. The colours also created a cool retro/vintage/3D aesthetic.
Finally I incorporated some aspects of Sophie’s personality into one of the layered portraits.
Reading week task
Over reading week we were tasked with creating a pictorial representation/map and drawing of a something we did or somewhere we went, every day. We were encouraged to approach this playfully, and experiment.
At first I did not look forward to this task, as I travelled a lot throughout reading week and was unsure if I would have enough time to complete good enough work. However having limited time meant that I did have to be more “playful” and interpretive with my drawings. I enjoyed experimenting with using symbols to construct a map, and creating flowing, snaking movements.
Visual CV
In this task we had to create a “journey map” of personal progression and goals. This section aimed mainly to improve our communication through drawing. We were encouraged to use iconic representation, picture superiority effect and other visual effects we learnt about to emphasise important parts of our journey. This task directly followed the mapping reading week task. Because of this I wanted to find a different approach to the CV.
I decided I wanted to portray “growth” in the journey map somehow. Initially I was unsure as to how to approach this concept; growth is a very natural thing, so I wanted to consider natural forms and things. Initially I thought an animal would be appropriate, but decided to use a plant to show the possibility for more growth (envisioning goals and aspirations).
I chose a fern sprout, and drew it’s growth vaguely in the style of a horticultural book, with annotation. The annotation relevant to the actual visual CV (experience, interests, ambitions etc) is highlighted.
Arduino Character
Our last task in the module was to create a character our of paper and embed LEDs with a working Arduino, with a supporting storyboard.
Initially I really wanted to focus on the persona/character focus of the brief. I started sketching a variety of little characters and creatures, ultimately using the little space man as I liked the idea of creating a spacey storyboard.
I developed and simplified the space man and space cat characters, but also experimented with the massive half-buried figures in some of the other sketches.
Initially I wanted to create a massive sunken face to make the characters seem tiny in comparison, but after a few attempts I realised this may be a little too ambitious. Instead I developed the massive forms, taking some inspiration from the monolith from 2001: a space odyssey.
We had a workshop using Arduino, which taught us the basics of how to code and correctly build the circuits. We had to incorporate LEDs controlled by an Arduino circuit to the character model. I connected two LEDs, one for the space-man and one for the space cat’s heads. I programmed the LEDs to glow at random, to give “life” to the characters.
I decided to make the backdrop for the two characters a pop-up monolith with card, so that it would meet the brief that it had to fit inside the sketchbook. I chose a simple form for the monolith, so that it would easily fold out.
The final model had to have the LEDs incorporated, assembled with the supporting storyboard by the Thursday.
Overview
At first I found this module very difficult. I do not have very much experience with drawing, however I feel over course of the module my confidence and ability to communicate visually has improved. I really enjoyed experimenting with different drawings, and finding new ways to communicate.