S.M.A.R.T targets – 09/04/18

In the industry and during education it can often be hard to find the time to self-reflect and aim my projects in a direction that is accurate regarding self-improvement and artistic growth. This is often due to been immersed in the creative process and creating engaging content for personal interest and that of a client. There is a time though where a line must be drawn, and an artist must be self-critical and decisive, this is where ‘S.M.A.R.T’ targets come in! ‘S.M.A.R.T’ Is an acronym that stands for ‘Small’, ‘Measurable’, ‘And’, ‘Realistic’, ‘Targets’. This translates into a weekly review of my current projects and goals for the purposes of artistic growth through accurate and appropriate target setting regarding my current goals and skillset into a concise action plan.

Context of last week

Last week I spent my time refining and exploring the visual style and composition that my chosen concept would portray. To begin with I created a style test experiment based off one of my 3 initial composition ideas, this idea was refined and taken forward as I used photography and artist mood boards as reference when experimenting with shape, form and style. During the test I made sure that I approached the task with a flexible and intuitive mind-set to create a visual that was engaging and interesting to my audience. Upon completion of this test I took the time to analyse and plan upon the direction I wish to head from the initial test that I created. This information was recorded and applied into an action plan where I created several asset style responses based of photograph which I completed in Adobe Illustrator. Finally, at the end of the week I used photography as a point of reference as I constructed a final composition test based of the previously outlined information and reflection. The completion of this composition test is the stage I am currently at in my production process, which will be my starting point when moving into this next week.

What I need to reflect on

As outlined above the preceding week consisted of experimentation and visual development based of the research and intentions that I had discussed previously. During that week I intended to explore the style based on my research and intentions by taking the time to create responses which I later judged as to whether I am happy with taking further or not. Therefore, this week I am keen to reflect on weather my experimentation process and design outcomes were effective and what I can do to enhance, streamline, and overall improve my creative process when aiming towards a design outcome.  

Target 1 – Consider the variables between simple and complex when experimenting with style through visual development.

I would argue that style is the relationship between simple vs complex, the shape and form may be simple, but the texture may be complicated and this works in reverse to a near infinite degree of variations when analysing style as a form. When I was experimenting with my visual development I don’t feel that I explored this concept enough when creating my own stylistic interpretation to both my research and collected reference. I feel like I more just recorded my first or second interpretation of this design rather than using my knowledge of style to create variations upon variations of each individual asset which I will later incorporate into my final design outcome. Therefore, I am keen to reflect on this flaw in my process by creating a target action plan for the following week to ensure a level of growth and quality improvement moving forward in this project.

The small, measurable, and realistic target I am setting in reflection to this identified issue is to take previously created environment designs and assets to expand upon and explore variations of each design by considering how I can manipulate the complexity or simplification of each design’s aspect such as shape, form, colour, texture, size, spacing, and line variation in attempt to create a design outcome that is more interesting, engaging, and appropriate for my project intentions. I would consider this target a success by creating a ‘Design sheet’ exploring at least 5 assets in 3-5 different stylised variations.

Target 2 – Look at a broader range of artists when generating stylised content rather than focusing on understanding a singular style.  

As mentioned before I feel that I closely reinterpreted the creative works of James Gilleard rather than taking my time to experiment with my own shapes and forms keeping in mind and reference how James has done this in his own way instead of just imitating these designs. This in mind I feel my current project and future designs will benefit from looking and thinking for myself in a bigger range of designs in line with my intended vision for the project. Creating an action plan to execute this target is an integral part of my process to ensure success and growth as an artist.

Therefore, the small, measureable, and realistic target I am setting in reflection to this target an identified flaw in my creative process is to create quick visual development against 2 more artists to insure the creative works I produce is an expression of my own artwork rather than an interpretation of a singular artists. Once I had completed this visual development I am confident that I will see a clear improvement into my design outcome as I move forward into new territory taking this art form as far as I can take it when striding towards my goals as a creative.

Conclusion

I am satisfied that these 2 goals are enough for me to focus on during the production of this week’s projects. In the following week I will update you all on the success of these targets as well as create new ones in reflection to the previous weeks workflow, successes, and failures. Thank you all for taking the time to read!