EVALUATION

The aim of my Final Major project, stated in my brief proposal, was to create a small zine type publication of the band and everything that surrounds the band such as humour, fashion, opinions on current issues etc. I wanted to incorporate illustration into my project as I have never really properly explored this area and liked the idea of learning and developing a new skill. The main reason for wanting to do a documentation of the Peeches was because of last year’s FMP. First year allowed me to explore something I loved in the derelict architecture around Liverpool’s Bramley-Moore dock. I found I could get really involved with the subject matter as it was close to my heart, it led to me going into more depth in everything I did. I wanted the same for this year’s FMP.

My idea has developed into me no longer doing a zine but instead a set of work visualising the Peeches’ songs. I still used illustration which is great as I felt I developed this skill a little more which was my main goal from this project. However, I don’t really see me changing directions within the project as me not achieving my aims as in my brief I mention about ‘boy band headshots’ and ‘clichés’. I think the primary resource I had was dangerously close to becoming this, so I think in changing path I made the right decision. It still documents the band’s music and the band as a whole so in this sense I am still doing what I set out to do. Obviously I really liked the idea of creating a homemade zine as I just love how they look and I don’t think they’re used enough but I think this new path is great as it can be backed up as album art with them being the size of LPs.

My research really inspired me through my FMP I think, the primary work I did with the band was great as I spent a lot of time around the band which is always good when creating work that’s based on the band and everything surrounding the band. The first set of primary research I did was not the best, looking back at it it was awful in fact. The lighting was horrible and there was no emotion within the photos which is what I really wanted. I knew I had to get new photos if I wanted to incorporate photography in my work, these were unusable. Although I didn’t use the photographs I think that the second set of primary research (I learnt from the first) I gathered, were very good! As photographs I really liked them, I managed to capture them smiling which I loved! This capture of emotion is what I wanted, it is a shame I couldn’t use them but I feel like it is the right decision. For example, this photo below which I actually love! It was a complete accident that the photo came out like this with the light creating a sort of filter but I do really like it, same with all my earlier primary. I knew I couldn’t use them however as it was the cliche I was trying to stay away from. The reason why I wanted to stay away from this sort of ‘campaign’ was because to me The Peeches should be different, like their music, the indie scene is so much of the same these days that I think it would be great to change things up.

The secondary research I collected on existing artists was so useful to me! Not just for visual style but also, their methods such as Marion Deuchars hands on technique that I really enjoyed and Peter Arkles use of photography for realistic and proportionate end results. The aesthetic inspiration of all my artists helped me a lot throughout this project. It was the one thing that did not change throughout the project s, this was beneficial as it was always a clear goal for me.

However, I feel like maybe I could’ve done more research into music visualisation once I knew I was heading down this path. Maybe my designs would be stronger.

Overall the research and subject knowledge I gained from my research really helped me develop during my FMP as I had a distinct aesthetic look I was working towards and an approach that I knew would work. I enjoyed researching the different zines, reading them all was really interesting.

The idea development and experiments helped develop my FMP as it never would’ve got to the point it finished at, if not for this experimentation. I think my initial roughs definitely could’ve been improved upon if I am being honest with myself. Although there was little depth to my initial ideas and roughs and although I really like my finished designs and my roughs got me exactly where I wanted to be, maybe I would’ve found a better idea if I’d kept on experimenting within this area. Even if I decided that my original idea was the best (which is rarely the case) I would’ve known I made the right decision.

I developed my illustration work a lot in this ‘development’ stage of my FMP. The first set of illustrations I produced, I know weren’t the best – this is where my first problem arose. I found out that it didn’t work to draw from memory, to do this you have to draw every day, below for example. I didn’t really know what I was drawing, resulting in illustrations that made no sense and only vaguely related back to the band.

I experimented digitally with colour, scale and composition. This was very important in working towards my final piece, as I learnt what worked for my design and what didn’t such as positioning of the illustrations, background colour, and border style. By experimenting it meant that I could create a final body of work I was happy with.

I think the stage I decided how I was going to make my final outcomes was after my mid project review where I talked to my tutors about my work and my next steps. Here I decided that a change of path was wise and I decided to focus on visualising the songs instead of creating a zine. This enabled me to build upon my statement of intent, I knew my work would still be heavily based upon The Peeches, yet no longer would it be my originally intended idea. Although it wasn’t a drastic change it made me develop and realise what I really wanted from my designs for The Peeches. The next stage was during my initial roughs where I saw what my idea could be developed into.

This method of working worked for me, I developed my design throughout every stage of my project. The strength of working this way is that it meant I could alter, change and progress at different stages of my FMP. Creating a well-rounded project with a polished final piece. The weakness of working this way is that I got lost a few times and once my idea had change, I had to come up with a new next step. The one thing that kept me going along the right path, was my aesthetic inspiration which didn’t change for the duration. If I was to extend or re-work this project I wouldn’t change my methods of construction as I made mistakes throughout my project and from this I learnt and adapted to make the right decision. In my opinion this is the best way to complete something, I learn way more from mistakes than anything else.

My final outcome relates to my statement of intent in the way that it is completely based on The Peeches. Apart from this, it was my original intent to create a small documentation of a new band coming onto a populated zine – in this case The Peeches. However, this changed into a visualisation of the songs they create. It still documents the band and builds up an image of them.

As a final body of work, I think it’s very successful as it documents the Peeches’ music as a set of designs, not only their music but things surrounding the band such as themes. However, although I have created 9 designs which is a good sized set of work, I realise there is more I could’ve done to bolster out my work. With these designs there is room to start creating merchandise etc. especially when these designs can be so easily adapted to becoming LP covers – especially with the dimensions I purposefully printed them.

My project had to change as in my statement of intent I state that I don’t like cliché boy band head shots which is dangerously close to what I had gathered through my primary research. I really like my final designs, I understand that the background colour when printed is horrible! However I think it works nicely with the other colours in the design. They are the Peeches so it should be peach coloured! I created surveys for my peers to fill in so I knew their views on my final designs. This was useful to me see what I could improve upon with my designs and what I did well, all of the feedback I got was great! Everyone seems to really like them. I would’ve liked more criticism if I’m honest as this is how you learn.

I used weekly sheets to track my progress throughout the project, this helped me track where I was up to over the weeks of my project and not fall behind! They were really useful to me as I work best from a list so this way when I looked back at them I knew what I was supposed to complete that week. I also created a project schedule that set out the FMP as a whole and allowed me to see at a glance whether I was behind or not in the grand scheme of things. However, this was a lot less useful than the weekly aim sheets. I know I could’ve done a lot more a t home! But I work nearly full time hours with my job so I didn’t have a lot of time. This was the major downfall of my FMP, I wish I had more time to spend on it! Ideally I would’ve had a lot more time producing my design digitally but I spent too much time researching. I did need all of this research, it was vital. I struggled for time at the end which meant my final design could’ve been a lot more refined. I tried to stick to my weekly tasks quite strictly so to not fall behind.

The tutors’ experience and knowledge was really useful to me throughout my project! Although it was a very independent process, the tutors were always there for support or to answer any questions. They had a massive impact on my FMP with the mid project review which I have previously explained in my evaluation. They also helped in little ways such as printing when it just wouldn’t work for me!

I think my final body of work came together really well, my process in my opinion is well documented and the final pieces turned out really nice. I think I could’ve worked with my ‘clients’ more (meaning the other members of the band) to see what they liked and disliked throughout my project. This would ensure the image of the band that the work emotes was right.

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 If I could rework any section, I would rework the development section. I really like my final illustrations however I feel like my rough designs could have been more in depth and maybe this would’ve resulted in a more developed set of designs. Having said this, I do really like my final designs. If I was to be given another ten weeks I’d think about developing my designs into the LP covers they could be thinking about the  sleeve, the vinyl and everything else. Even a range of merchandise could be nice. Failing this I would further develop my final designs.

Overall, I really enjoyed the past weeks, creating artwork for a band I really like made up of people I really like.