Author Archive

Reflection

I kind of feel like this course was a bit unnecessary. It was nice to see all of the presentations and speakers to get an idea of what life after college is like, though. All of my school career I’ve considered getting to college; now that I’m here I have to consider what I’m going to do as an adult. Still– I feel like that’s something that would have been touched on in my other courses throughout my time in school. Perhaps because of the fact that as a IGST major I felt like the class offered me very little substance I have this stance, but that’s the case.

Faculty Presentations

I really liked Bill’s photographs; looking at them I would have never guessed the process that produced each of them was so laborious. It makes me wonder what the photos originally looked like.

Hollis’ illustrations blow me away every time I see them. I can’t imagine myself putting in all the detail she does in each of them. I’m also excited to see her graphic memoir’s final product!

I have to admit that Alexandra’s work is not really of my taste. It’s too minimal to me. I don’t think I’m qualified to give a statement on it, really, because it’s so on the opposite end of the type of art I tend to like.

Tammie’s sculptures were really cool! I loved the philosophy she presented behind them, both of her work in general and of her pieces regarding her father’s passing and communication.

Joe’s photography was also stunning. The detail in the photos made me almost feel like I was there (cliche, I know). Very nice work for documentary-type stuff, I think.

My long term goals beyond my bachelor’s degree(which i should complete a year early) involve getting certified in 2D animation. Beyond that, I think applying for work in studios, both in regards to television and video games, would be the end goal.

Guest Speakers and Questions

Spacetime Studios visited us last week. It was really great, as a IGST major, to have some people from my potential field drop by! The CEO, an artist, and a levels designer all came to present, but it was mostly the artist that I listened to. It seems to me that the adage of ‘you just need a portfolio’ rings true regardless of what field you apply to as an artist.

Of the faculty presenters I have only one real question: are there 2D animation classes offered on campus? If so, when?

Planning Ahead

  1. I like to plan ahead if at all possible. I was trying to get in to see my counselor about next semester as early as September. I feel like college offers way more options in terms of customization than high school in exchange for relaying the burden on the student entirely.
  2. France, hands down. It’s for a myriad of reasons I want to go, but it’s probably at the top of my list currently. After that I’d want to go to Japan; the Akihabara area has interested me for a few years, even outlasting my short anime-obsessed phase, and it looks like a fun place to go.
  3. I’m not. I’d like to see a student group that focuses on producing animation rather than curating it. I’ve considered starting some sort of animator’s union to meet this need.

Alum Talks

  1. I’m not particularly sure who I related to the most. I don’t have any experience doing any sort of artistic work for pay, so I don’t know what my experiences will be like in the near future. Perhaps it will be freelance, perhaps it won’t be.
  2. Nothing in particular surprised me, given what I already know about work in the artistic realm. I guess learning about the monthly boxes was pretty cool, though!
  3. To always check out a job/internship opportunity thoroughly before taking it. Read up or ask around about the company first.

Skills and Goals

SKILLS INVENTORY

Intro to Philosophy:

  1. My greatest strengths in Intro to Philosophy include: Engagement with class discussions and adequate responses to questions for short papers assigned.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: Review my notes more intensely.

Intro to Gaming:

  1. My greatest strengths in Intro to Gaming include: Keeping up with the material presented and taking detailed notes.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: Review my notes more often.

Viz Studies Seminar:

  1. My greatest strengths in Viz Studies Seminar include: Attending class and keeping up with the blog posts.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: See the class as less of a chore and more of another opportunity to learn.

Rhetoric and Composition II:

  1. My greatest strengths in Rhetoric and Composition II include: Taking notes and doing the homework ahead of time.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: Ask for more feedback on my papers.

Truth, Justice, and the Graphic Way:

  1. My greatest strengths in Truth, Justice, and the Graphic Way include: Taking notes and responding effectively to the reading prompts.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: Review my notes more often.

Foundations of Art and Design:

  1. My greatest strengths in Foundations of Art and Design include: Managing to keep up with the deadlines for the projects.
  2. For greater success in this course, I need to: Take more notes.

Computer skills:

  1. My computer skills include: Knowledge of how to use a drawing tablet, a basic understanding of Word, PowerPoint, and Spreadsheets (by way of Google Drive), beginner’s understanding of HTML and CSS, adequate online researching competence.
  2. I still need to learn: More about HTML and CSS, other programming languages, more about spreadsheets.

Research & writing skills:

  1. My greatest strengths as a researcher/writer include: The actual writing– syntax and other rhetorical devices, integration of sources into my papers.
  2. I need to work on these aspects of research and writing: Finding sources that are fully relevant.
  3. I learn best & accomplish most when: I’m given in-depth feedback about my performance, and how I can start improving.

ACTION PLAN

Right now in my Rhetoric and Composition class I’m struggling with our most recent paper; I’ve never done an annotated bibliography before, and a lot of the subjects to choose from for our research really don’t interest me. I suppose I could

  1. Read the freshman common text
  2. Go to my professor’s/TA’s office hours
  3. Re-read the assignment requirements
  4. Adjust some of my sources
  5. Re-Read my notes
  6. Email my professor/TA about my sources
  7. Ask a classmate for feedback
  8. Force myself to care about my research project
  9. Take notes on the assignment details
  10. Review the feedback I’ve already received

 

Current Projects

Currently in my Foundations of Art and Design class (my only VISU class aside from the seminar) I’m working on a Line Project. The project is all about interpreting line in different ways. The first part was creating a line inventory of sorts, with two sets of 75 different lines and one set cataloging the best lines. Then we built a sculpture, traced the silhouette of said sculpture, and filled it in using those lines. Next we’ll be working on a video interpretation of line, but that part has yet to be officially assigned. I tried to use lines from things I saw around me, such as the patterns in leaves or the shapes in clouds, to try and fulfill the drawing aspects of the project.

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I think the strongest part of this work so far is the last set of lines (the best of the two new explorations) because it has the best of the ones I drew. The weakest aspect, therefore, is the first set of lines. I think that the video portion of the project will really bring a new dimension to it that can’t be encapsulated by sculpture or drawings alone. Technically I know that I’m not good at sculpture; maybe different materials would have made it more expansive.

Senior VISU majors

I thought all of the work of the students was very interesting! Faith had some stunning natural photography; Diana’s artistic journey was inspiring; Mary’s designs were charming; and the two IGST majors (who, unfortunately, names escape me) provided an interesting insight into the flexibility of the degree.

Four websites I find to be pleasing are:

http://toodletots.tumblr.com/

I like this site because of the simplicity; one scrolls down to reveal the contents of the blog. The neatness of the links also helps its appeal and makes it simple to navigate!

http://tartarts.tumblr.com/

This site is a bit more complex but all the pages are nice and crisp. Navigation is still easy to come by, with all the links ordered at the side. The green color scheme is pleasing to the eye, and the artwork is placed front and center.

http://gigidigi.tumblr.com/

This site is the epitome of simplification; the contact info is front and center in the sidebar. There are no complicated pages to navigate, and no color scheme to mind. However this provides a great contrast for the art; the vibrant colors of Gigi D. G.’s artwork really stand out against the black background.

http://theartofkenyadanino.tumblr.com/

This site is again, simplistic (it seems there’s been a recent trend for minimalism!) but it works to the art’s advantage. The addition of a banner makes the artist’s work the first thing the viewer sees, and is cute on top of that!

A Contemporary Artist: Bruce Timm

Bruce Timm is a well known contemporary cartoonist whose work I absolutely adore. His style has left an impact on what art I tend to favor, and sometimes how I draw myself. In the 90s he, along with writer Paul Dini, spearheaded the creation and production of Batman: The Animated Series. Timm’s style was the basis for the art direction. Timm’s style for B:TAS drew heavily from Art Deco, a look that was further integrated into the look and style of the series’ Gotham City.

Two-Face

Two Face

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn

Batman and The Joker

Batman and The Joker

BTAS background

Background from B:TAS; evidence of its Art Deco direction.

Timm’s style was adapted for the rest of the shows that played out in the universe B:TAS set up, going on to be streamlined in Superman: The Animated Series and losing its Art Deco edge for Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited. He still currently does work for DC comics’ animated department.

Gods and Monsters Poster

Poster for Justice League: Gods and Monsters, a recent Bruce Timm film.

 

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