Lecture 4- Research

Inspiration and understanding is a vital key to a reliable and creative process.

In order to be inspired and have a good understanding of a certain subject a strong root is necessary and for that a wide range of research is needed.

Research....

So what exactly is research?

Dictionary definitions explain research to be gatherings of data in order to accelerate current knowledge and improve skills. Other definitions explain research to be a process of steps, used to collect and analyse in order for us to increase our understanding on a various topic or issue.

A human brain can gather tons of information in the small duration of just a day. However as the capacity is limited, if things are not rehearsed over and over again, the brain can lose out on some important ideas or information. This is the reason why visual communications use sketch/note books to jot down their ideas on a day to day basis. This is very beneficial as any small idea or thought, can become something BIG even in the future. 

3 simple steps:

• Pose a question
• Collect data to answer the question
• Present an answer to the question

An example of an artist who does this is Paul Davis, who is UK based illustrator. He often uses a notebook to jot down ideas, doodles, notes and even illustrations so that he can develop them later on.  He will do this in his spare time and draw people just passing by, as he has a fascination for people. Paul's work is very unique as his sense of style always tells you it is his work.

                                       ^Some examples of Paul's sketches and notations^

Research is an aspect of the designing process and is also essential in problem solving                         Research is an investigation, studying, exploring, developing and seeking                                                  There are two different forms of research primary and secondary

So whats the difference between primary and secondary research? 

Primary research is data which has been collected by you, yourself from scratch. All data has been gathered by the researcher and he/she goes out there to get it.
Where as on the other hand, secondary research is already available for you and you just have to use the information or data which had been provided to you by other organisations. 

"Collecting things stimulates the brain, it helps you think of something fresher"

illustrators and visual communicators research by drawing, reading, collecting, always jotting things down which inspires them on the go. They are always busy with a constant process of inquiry to develop their knowledge further.

Lecture 2- Development of Creative Thought and Structure in Illustration and Graphic Art

Remaining Creative and Revitalizing Ideas..

Creativity is a thinking process which is aimed at originality, generating new ideas and finding solutions to solve old problems. Being creative has a huge advantage as it makes unusual associations and finds unique ways of looking at things from each individuals own perspective. Creativity breaks rules, takes risks, is imaginative and flexible in its thinking and has a playful attitude. Visual communicators always push themselves to think out the box and produce something which nobody has come up with before. This creates originality and unique style of work which is a new change to the world of design.

"Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learnt"

 Principle 2: Getting rid of assumptions...
Visual communicators should approach problems with a open mind. This is because in order to communicate effectively any negative assumptions should be cleared from the mind, in order for you to think fresh all over again and assist problems. Many problems such as editorial design can be directly related to text or content or even to specific requirements such as fashion items or products. This is where the creative mind comes in to great use, as it has the capability to allow you to see things from a different perspective.

• Similes look at the likeness between two things which may seem to have a connection
• Metaphors compare the two objects and enhance the connection to be more powerful and direct
• Analogy compares two totally different things which can be similar in some sort of way such as resemblance between things which; would otherwise be unlike

An example of this would be the original design of Harry Becks tube map of London Underground. This design has been looked at by other designers a variety of different times and throughout the years, designers have implied the same sort of style into their own way to revitalize it and create something new which has not been created before.

The original design of Harry Becks map of London Underground.

 This map is an inspiration of Harry Becks design and has been created by the Metropolitan cardiac authority in a very clever way.

Another inspiration by the same company. One of my favourite designs of the map.

Principle 3: Restating Problems

As an artist or a designer it is often very beneficial to have the confidence to imaginatively challenge problems and look at them from different angles in order to solve them. If we change the rules and look at visual problems from a different perspective; finding solutions to problems will be much more interesting and fun.

The main purpose of regularly reviewing your ideas and approaches is to keep up to date with what you are doing and to also give yourself more options.

The best way would be to jot down any new ideas that you have (doesn't matter if they are good or bad) this way you don’t have to worry about evaluating them or anything, but you can look through them after and see which work best. You could also surf the web and look through books or magazines in order to let your creative thinking flow. Making a list is also helpful, as you will be able to visually see the best ideas and imply them into your work. The bigger the list the more ideas you have. The more the better!

Designers like to think out of the box, meaning they will consider things which are not necessarily related to the approach you are taking. However opening an approach from a new direction which is not obvious will open a door and trigger more new ideas. 

Lecture 1- The RVJ: A portable laboratory for the development of your visual thinking

The Reflective Visual Journal is a indispensable tool which is a must for all visual communicators. The reason behind the title "A Reflective Visual Journal" is because the journal is reflective, as its your own personal space of thinking, its visual because you will picture things visually and draw them down and a journal which will be used consistently over time.The beauty of the journal is that any idea is acceptable, may that idea be good or bad nobody will judge it!  

You can visualize, draw, annotate and evaluate all your ideas or images all in one safe place!

Principle 1: DRAW- work by hand

Drawing is the easiest way to express all your thoughts and feelings onto a piece of paper. Drawing is a essential part of the RVJ as it enables your eyes, hand and creative right brain to engage and create. Drawing is a totally different process to writing with words or working on a computer or a camera. By drawing you have the ability to put any thoughts in your head, come to life. Drawing is not just doodling or making pretty pictures, it's thinking and analyzing. Many people may be scared to draw, as it may be personal to them or the idea of exposing your inner thoughts and feelings may seem a little frightening to them. However the RVJ will allow you to do this; as it is your own personal space where you can let go of all these inner critics and expose yourself without any fear.

Drawing gets your ideas out there, it enables you to see them on paper clearly where you then, can start on developing them. 

Development of a rough sketch, to adding details and tone.

Drawing does not have to be done by just pen and paper, it can also be done by using and experimenting with a wide range of different materials. 

Drawings by Lizzie Finn, she claims shes not too good at drawing by hand so she "sticks stuff down"

Principle 2: Utilize your creative brain

 Did you know that in your head there are two brains...? Well two halves of your brain are essentially separate, although they may look the same they are two completely different types of machinery which work in their own unique way. There is a left brain and a right brain, both of which link up together by the Copus Callosum. The Copus Callosum is made up of a bundle of neural fibers which lie just beneath the cortex in the brain. The function of the Copus Callosum is that it allows both parts of the brain to collaborate together as a team, to transfer data between the two. 

So how does the right brain think..? 

 The right brain is much like a playful child. Its innocent, experimental, sensitive and curious. This side of the brain is the "adventurous" side which loves to play. The right side of the brain is most likely to have  more accidents as it plays around and experiments with a whole range of different things. 

"Play and accident are related.."        

                                     "Ideas emerge as they become visible on the paper.."

                                                                                                          "The right side will let you free.."

Visual image showing the difference between left brain and right brain thinking

"I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on a empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be" quoted by Mercedes Benz 

Now on to the left side of the brain...

The left brain is like an accountant. It analyses and organizes any work that you create. Your left brain is the annotation, evaluation and classification you put into your RVJ. This side of the brain will ask questions such as, "what is useful?", "what works better?", "How can I make this work". Neither one is better than the other as we need both in order to play and be serious. 

   "I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytic. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am" quoted by Mercedes Benz