CONTEXT OF PRACTICE

COP NOTES (Note to self)  - useful theories and quotes

Picture Perfect: Advertising & Promotional Projects - Commercial Illustration: 
IAN NOBLE

"...the use of illustration to sell, persuade, or inform, provides a good example of its power to communicate beyond the level of, for instance, a photograph -adding a level of sophistication ad interpretation beyond that which is achievable through the lens." 
(I smell capitalism and consumerism)

Design & Underdesign - Liz Farrelly 
Tibor KALMAN

"...many designers believe that design is the end product. To me, design is merely a language, a means to an end, a means of communication. The question is, what do you communicate -Burger King, or something meaningful?" 
(Agree! I would say that imagery, symbols, signs, visual means is the most universal language!!)

"Kalman revels in debunking the self-importance and over-indulgence that he believes is rife within design and publishing. Spiced with a note of self-deprecation and a generous sprinkling of irrelevance, Kalman's writings and lectures challenge designers to face up to the consequences of their actions, and choose between simply greasing the wheels of commerce or making a very real contribution to change."
 (True. Which is more worth? meaningful work or pocket money?)

"A designer is a professional liar because he's hired not to make the properties of a product clear but to enhance the product beyond its truth. In a funny sort of way its exactly what lawyers do with the moral position of a company, and what accountants do with the figures. Still graphic designers think they're doing something else, making beautiful art, but its not true' Kalman's antidote to corporate compromise is work for what he calls his own 'private audience'. 'The sense in which we were our own audience was that we'd look at a project and say, never mind the client do we think this is cool?' His attitude may sound self-indulgent, but behind the bluff is a logic that facilitates honesty. Put simply, it's very hard to lie to yourself" 
(Preach! I feel that exceptional artworks are when it engages with the practitioner, the audience and the community)

The Education of an Illustrator

The design process - Bruce Wands

"The creative process starts as an intellectual exercise. A design problem is defined, analyzed, creatively treated, and brought to a solution. Paul Rand in From Lascaux to Brooklyn defines the design process as 1) preparation, 2) incubation, 3) Revelation, and 4) verification. (Paul) Rand states that it is important for the illustrator to understand the relation between aesthetics and the computer. He concludes that 'the conflict between design and technology, like the the conflict between form and content, is not an either/or problem, it is one of synthesis." 

"Successful design combines aesthetic an cerebral components to facilitate understanding and appreciation by the viewer. Two crucial functions of design are to attract and subsequently, to communicate. If one were to flip through and industry magazine, certain illustrators would argue that successful design causes an individual to stop at a particular page. There is an implied competition between the visual elements and the verbal content." (Visual communication...?)

The joy of illustration - Marshall Arisman

"An illustrator works best when he or she has the freedom to breathe and interpret. Overly art directing an illustrator's images is often counterproductive. The joy of illustration comes from seeing the artist's rendition for the first time -like opening a present on Christmas morning. Illustration may not work for all design problem, but I've found the designing with illustration has never been a problem." 
(I feel that this is something I find difficult, especially with my own practice. To be able to incorporate my own tone of voice and responding to the issue/design problem)

"And that's what illustrations are supposed to do: shed a little light on the world in which we live." - Veronique Vienne

True confessions of a storyteller - Marshall Arisman

"Today illustrators are desperate. Rents need to be paid. However, how many illustrations and spot drawings of a man wearing a business suit, carrying a briefcase and climbing a ladder to the sky (or perched on a tightrope) do art directors really need? However, telling our personal stories in our own way has power. If we don't do it -no matter how many concept images we have to do at the same time for the money -illustration will die. Write and illustrate that book. Do it for no fee. Send this work off to your favorite editor, art director, or designer." 
(True! But don't create work just because it is aesthetically pleasing, as well as not just a reflection of what you feel but also the world around. Purpose! Function!)

That's not art, that's illustration - Brad Holland

"Everybody is an artist these days. Rock and roll singers are artists. So are movie directors, performance artists, make-up artists, tattoo artists, con artists, and rap artists. Movie stars are artists. Madonna is an artist, because she explores her own sexuality. Snoop Doggy Dogg is an artist because he explores other people's sexuality. Victims who express their pain are artists. So are guys in prison who express themselves on shirt cardboard. Even consumers are artists when they express themselves in their selection of commodities. The only people left in America who seem not to be artists are illustrators." 
(witty quote but I agree. A slap to one's face. Talking about commercial art?)

• I would say that the things these practitioners, designers, professionals are similar yet different in a way. From the manifestos, articles and journals I've read there are subtle differences in their statements. (Though this matter is very black & white, opinion A and opinion B, I have yet to come across the greys or opinion C)

• I might actually look into the nuances of this particular issue. What state is illustration now? some disagree with commercial illustrations or illustrations that could simply make someone feel something. Whereas some thinks that illustration should be something that respond to worldly issues, make a statement, change and have purpose...