Studio Brief 2: Individual Practice

Evaluation

1.    Although I have really enjoyed researching the topic I have found it quite hard visualising the political metaphors. I really enjoy metaphors, puns and language. This is something I also enjoy when vocalising emotions through lyrics. In fact, on reflection, the refined list of my metaphors for the A2 boards could be turned into a poem.

2.    I have realised that I always use language as research. This project began from identifying words from news articles; cracks, dead ends and cutting ties. This is an important skill because, as an editorial illustrator, you have to turn things around quickly and having a strategy for identifying

 elements to stimulate creativity is crucial.

3.    Even though I feel more confident about strategies, I think I would struggle to do this kind of work as a profession because my brain can’t process the themes and ideas fast enough for intense editorial turn arounds. I guess over time and with practice perhaps this would speed up?

4.    I have realised that editorials are rarely seen out of context, hence the importance of mocking them up, but I appreciate in professional circumstances I would be working alongside a graphic designer to put the information into the text.

5.    I have always been interested in the processes of illustration/image making. I find that the choice of media can express a lot in its-self. Because my images are simple, the media used is very important and it subtly communicates part of the message. It makes the viewer have to consider what is being visualised.

6.    I feel that these pieces have been very thoughtfully constructed and really capture the main themes of Brexit at present; the anxiety and frustration that Remain voters feel. It has been a hard subject to tackle due to its complexity and I have tried to condense the atmosphere of over about a year in just 4 illustrations.

7.    I have found this quite a slow and stressful brief. I have been frustrated that I haven’t been producing a large quantity of work but I have spent a lot of time thinking, understanding, linking and considering process, media, visual language and theory.

8.    Following feedback, my goals for this module were to explore; simplicity/ refinement, developing digital skills and finding my place as an illustrator. I think that I have made progress in all these areas. These images include lots of thought and depth but are communicated minimalistically. For the first time ever I am submitting a digital portfolio and, although the images include analogue elements, it is significant that they were constructed digitally.

9.    I am glad that I challenged myself to do some political editorials because it has helped me develop as an artist, illustrator and image maker. I think next year I am going to focus more on music. However, I want to take forward the way I have not been too literal with the image making and really explore visualising the emotion, sound and atmosphere of music, using skills which I have developed through these editorials.

BREXIT development

BREXIT development

MESS / FRAGILE / FRAYING / PROBLEMS / OVERWHELMED / UNKNOWNS / VULNERABLE / UNSUPPORTED / WEAK / UNWRAVELING

I don't think that this is there yet but it could be very powerful. It intends to represent how Britain is having lots of different problems and issues (a messy buzz) that it will have to deal with independently. The problems are stronger and full of depth, straining the people negotiating for Britain who are fragile (fraying), don't know what they are unwraveling

Perhaps it would work better if it was in the basic shape of the UK? This portrays not only the fragility of the situation and negotiations but also highlights that the UK is an island and now very vulnerable. However, this image doesn't show that the power in centralised to the government in London because the frayed string is in cornwall haha.

I feel that this image can show to strength that the EU has at being part of a huge union. It is full of depth (no cracks-solid and supported). Also the mixture of different colours shows the diversity and the vibrance that comes a long side this ( that Britain has chosen to get rid of through sending EU immigrants home)

I also thing that this image could be interpreted differently, by tweaking the colour levels the EU can look quite scary, powerful and looming which is why some citizens voted to leave the EU. Also some people wanted to get rid of diversity in the UK and therefore a patriotic "British" nation looks appealing to them

Putting it into recognisable context a little bit... Adding the substance of a huge ocean as a divide

This is more obvious Im not sure that I think this solid image I thknk it it detracts from the textures of the string. I think maybe this portrays that Britain is "united as a nation"... so therefore portraying BREXIT as a positive, patriotic nation -Remain ??

This is trying to represent the downward spiral of all of the problems that the UK now need to negotiate. These problems are all being dealt with by fragile "frayed ends". These "frayed ends" are surrounded and trapped by these overwhelming negotiations and problems

This string is exploring that there are some huge tangles and knots. Big problems that have arrived that citizens and the government didn't know would be affected by the leave vote (eg. medical research) and that there are lots of loop holes that the government need to try and navigate around

Portraying all of the lose ends that need to be negotiated, that are making Britain very vulnerable. Also the confusion that is created for civilians with the anticipation of the unknown. Also representative of all of the problems that have been discovered and how there aren't answers or strong solutions 

This presents how Britain has decided to break away from from a supported union (the plait is literally holding all of the different parts together) and now flimsy and unwraveling

This aims to represent how much support and funding the UK had from the EU and that there are dead ends (knots) where the EU (stars) aren't helping out any longer

I think perhaps this is quite summative of the different developments using string. It communicates the UK being a lost, fragile mess as a result of Brexit. Furthermore it has fragile pieces of string springing out of it, with fragile frayed ends and loop holes as a metaphor of all the problems that have come into view and then a knot at the end, where outcomes haven't been defined and there are no longer support systems from the EU.

Scrumpled paper is a form of expressing anger. I think scrumpled paper is a nice metaphor to represent the frustration which has affected many voters across the UK post Brexit vote. 

It also visually represents all of the grey areas which are the negotiations and everyone (including politicians) being in the dark as to what is going to happen... The nooks and crannies of the grooves of the paper capture the depth of issues that have risen, almost like mountains that need to be overcome.

This portrays how alone the UK has made its self... it is a tiny island that has isolated itself! This shows that the UK now has to deal with all of its problems by itself.

This is supposed to juxta pose the strength of the EU vs the cracks of the UK. The process of actually making the EU was a lot easier (with masking tape) than the UK which was very delicate and fiddly... visual metaphor for the UK not having masking tape/ EU support.

The blue sort of puts it into context... However I do think it is quite striking having the image as grey. The blue kinda portrays hope and sunny day rather than the greyscale really creates a moody atmosphere...

This is experimenting with the use of tone. I feel that the strong stable EU should perhaps have more intense colour than the UK... but this could also show the EU being dark and looming and that the UK is 'seeing the light' and in a better position

This very dramatically shows darkness sweeping over the UK as a result of the leave vote... Perhaps this captures how unnerved people are feeling in anticipation of the consequences of leaving. Also because it is very stuck half way it almost shows how slow everything is taking as well... 

The blue adds a calm peaceful element... the calm amongst the storm. Rather than a harsh gradient divide line I thought a really angry, inky storm could be really affective to communicate the atmosphere - the fear and darkness spreading over the UK as negotiations happen

I then thought maybe it works best that the dark storm is coming from the EU who are pale and in the clear and that the UK is the place which is covered in the inky stormy mess

I like this visual analogy... its not just that string is very flammable but also that it now looks like a time bomb, a disaster just waiting to happen, which is how it kind of is at the moment but without being too cheesy.

I think this works well over a double page... it has more of a conversation

Brexit Survey

BREXIT Survey

To begin my project I wanted to create a survey which explored, in a non-bias way, what the salient issues around the EU and Brexit were. I tried to make it a fair survey with not just yes and no answers (some elaborating).

Would you vote the same if the referendum was held again in 2018?

Yes: 52

No: 5

Couldn't vote: 1

Not Sure: 1

Scottish

both

British or English depending on the context

Are you concerned about the impact of leaving the EU?

Yes: 35

No: 3

Not Sure: 1

• Yes - the pound has been suffering for two years now, and we still haven't left yet!
• absolutely yes, we're literally all going to die
• Yes - I think it's going to be a big problem
• Yes, It is going to impact our currency, international standing with regard to trade etc.
• Yes, but I hopethat good things come from it. I hope it helps us build commonwealth relations
• I understood the appeal from both sides before the referendum, but after being outright lied to in some of the arguments led by the 'vote leave' campaign, I am failing to see a conducive & beneficial outcome for Britain in the midst of a post-Brexit era. Which is currently led by a prime minister who is so far appearing to be failing to negotiate a deal with the EU.
• No, thank god we've finally shaken Brussels

To support your answer, explain in what ways Immigration benefits or disadvantages the British way of life.

A certain level of immigration is good but we have lost control of the numbers and reasons for accepting immigrants

Helps to create a diverse culture

we could encourage skills which we do not have. we can exclude undesireables which is important

Great Britain has always been a migration country; why not Europeans for a change?

I think it can be a positive thing - the economy needs more workers in some sectors and Europeans can contribute new cultural ideas to our society, but needs to be managed properly

good for economy

Positive when the skills of people inbound to the uk are matched with the lack of skills in the country

Good workforce, diversity, British have opportunity abroad aswell

brings positive cultural aspects, helps keep job market competitive (doing jobs brits don't want to do) and means that we can also choose to go and live in europe

we are all immigarants. and immigration brings alternative cultures, new ideas, a broader outlook

Positive. But, I think it discriminates against people from outside the UK. Since we joined, harder for commonwealth countries to migrate here, even those who have the queen as head of state or we share the same language and possibly are far closer culturally.

Diversity and cultural understanding

Can be positive in controlled circumstances

We have always been a multicultural society, and benefit in countless ways in various aspects of our daily lives.

Fills both skilled and unskilled jobs, but strains our services

Many immigrant communities are in fact second or third generation and therefore are likely to have British citizenship. Many communities are multi-cultural and as such the diversity helps the understanding and tolerance of such communities.

More diverse culture

It's positive to a degree, we shouldn't allow people to come in a reap up the benefits of the UK without actually putting anything into the country, but most immagrants immigrate to make a better life for themselves. And therefore do work and give back

Introduces culture to a large portion of uncultured people in the world. Gives people perspective and makes them more understanding and accepting.

Brings talent and diversity to help the UK grow

Multiculturalism is never a bad thing

Multiculturalism, brings in skills from other countries that are lacking in Britain

It benefits the society both culturally (with the integration of and contact with foreign cultures) and economically (supporting the labour market).

Creates a National Security issue

Many immigrants are keen to do jobs we don't want to do like cleaning. Very skilled and needed professionals such as doctors are invaluable to the nhs, and help support the economy. There is a tiny percentage of immigrants who do not contribute to the economy however I feel that these people receive the most publicity and cause hate towards all immigrants. They also bring cultural diversity in the form of shops, restaurants and the arts sector. I think disadvantages could be that people feel like their community is being "overrun" by immigrants, especially in smaller villages with tight communities. There are lots of interesting case studies you can find about this and maybe could help in your work.

So many do jobs the Brits won't touch. So many work in our NHS

Makes the economy larger, more culture

Immigration works on both levels. People from Britain move to other nations around Europe and the world and people from other parts of the world live in Britain. You only have to look at the benefit that immigration has made to the Britain e.g. the construction of railways in the 60s. Britain is also home to London one of the most international cities in the world, where most people working in high rise offices are not British however of other international backgrounds.

the mass of people coming in isn't good, but compared to our population we can definetely take in immigrants. the amount that come in is exaggerated.

I think it has advantages and disadvantages

Many immigrants will work the jobs that british wont, long hours and warehouses for next day delivery

Immigrants poison our nation, begging filth on our streets demand government money, disgraceful

27% of Addenbrookes staff are non-UK; the vast majority of those working in social care are non-UK. We can't manage without inward migration.

They do jobs Brits don't like, and other cultures are interesting e.g food

immigration is good from anywhere, as long as we have control of the number of people and skills of the people that immigrate

Helps economy and provides best work force for the UK

It’s bolsters our work force specifically the nhs where we don’t have enough staff as is.

We need the workers, because we refuse to educate our own in high skilled jobs such as medicine. However, we also have a housing crisis so can't afford to fit more people. It's a lose-lose situation.

Skills and Culture sharing is vital to our way of life

We gain a greater breadth of culture as well as strengthening our trade oppurtunites.

It's good for the wealthy but it's bad for working class people

Many companies are built from colonisation and it creates diversity amongst people

Diversity, Tourism. It makes life interesting.

Brings new skills, as part of Global society, take in refugees who need safety

For the issue you feel most strongly about, explain why.

it makes export and import much easier

British Sovereignty We should have the right to govern the UK without interference fromnon elected bureaucrats

I'm assuming that this question should have said inpact of leaving. I think that the economy will be badly affected and thus employability and healthcare, which at first sight miught improve, will be worse because there will be less money available as a whole.

Assuming this question means after BREXIT I think will adversely affect our economy

Healthcare - skilled workers from Europe for NHS

the lack of restrictions from the european union will mean that the tories will have more free reign to undo environmental policies, scrap the human rights act and introduce more policies designed for their personal gain and not that of the british public

the right to work and travel abroad is something ive befitted from most of my adult life. im appalled to think my adult children wont get the same benefits. I'm also concerned about the effect on the health service as EU workers may be forced to return home.

I think peace is most important, but peace comes with other factors, like stability in economy and peoples quality of life, access to basic human needs and resources.

Peace in Europe

Nobody as of yet can verify how we will fare in the free market once Brexit has been finalised. So I worry about how that will affect the economy.

Economy: We're going to be able to strike deals with other countries that would otherwise have been impossible. Human rights: we may no have open borders to aid asylum seekers in times of crisis in other countries.

Given the emphasis on language learning in schools, denying people the chance to go abroad would be detriment to the language learning.

Healthcare - steps towards privatisation already taken as a direct result of brexit

Lots of things will become much more expensive, for example I understand that a lot of British fishing spots we share with parts of Europe will be taken by the EU, meaning that price of fish will be HUGE (not that bothered bc I'm vegetarian but just an example of an industry.

Our NHS is so dependent on EU labour, from the lower workers, right up the scale to nurses, doctors and surgeons

Employability- the more people there are in the UK, then the more jobs there are as well as having access to work in other areas of Europe for people wanting to move.

Democracy and Human Rights - as a a legal student the English & Welsh legal system has been made up of many EU laws which allow for a standard approach across all of Europe. If we take the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for example, It changed the way in which consumers were protected when spending as consumers. Because it implemented EU directives and laws it enables and encourages cross border spending selling products from England & Wales to consumers all across Europe.

you might want to reword this question, i've answered that the "impact of staying in the EU will be..."

The nhs has gone down the shitter and its only getting worse

Overall, it created peace betweenall countries making agreements and changes easier and more beneficial than being independent.

Britain's Economy will finally be unrestricted and we will again be able to rival the top three world economies

We receive a huge amount of money for medical research in the form of collaborative EU grants- our researchers in the UK are already being asked to step back from leading grant applications; the EMA will now not apply; the Euratom treaty will need to be renegotiated leading to difficulty sourcing radioactive agents- I could go on!!

Human rights - these were protected within EU laws

By leaving the eu we will be entirely reliant on trade with the USA which is vulnerable due to trump

Britain's Economy, loss of the union will negatively impact the economy, to the detriment of public funding and the services funded by it

I feel that the hegemonic culture of British society will result in a decline in labour-intense jobs and the quality of these, and in my opinion healthcare, will decline.

Healthcare because of privatisation

An aggressive Russia is loving brexit

I'm unsure how the government will proceed whilst not under European Union legislation.

We need to share resources with our European neighbours including human, financial and safety

Austria

New Zealand

I am from the South East but go to uni in North West England.

Split between Yorkshire and the east of england