Evaluation

The final major project process has been the most rewarding of my University experience so far. The work I have created has been the most original and I believe, most marketable imagery I have produced to date. Aimed at a very specific adult audience; I was always adamant that I was setting out to create work that was completed to as professional a standard as possible. Choosing to create a comic book not only allowed me to achieve my objective of making Fairy Tales accessible today; it was a craft I could learn through process and development; therefore broadening my horizons within the industry. 

Early on in the process I set out on the specific path of creating a Graphic Novel. A new venture for me and with a only small amount of In-design and Photoshop knowledge, I was keen to go back to basics and use traditional methodology. Keeping notes and print schedules made me aware that time was limited and at this point, during Christmas I altered my objectives slightly. In choosing to produce two separate comic books I allowed for improvement; learnt about application and developed a visual language of my own. By the creation of the second comic my 'style' in terms of a commercial appeal was well rounded. I managed to find ways of creating imagery, using carefully chosen composition's based around camera angles that allowed for suggestive yet inoffensive imagery. The metaphor of using gesture and expression in the forms of hands and feet (and consequently propelling the narrative forward that way) allowed the subtle communication of underlying messages. Thus, my audience objectives were well met, the comic books clearly having adult undertones (and drawing out the sinister aspects of Fairy Tales), as is evident from the front covers; but they are also child appropriate, wordless and therefore, only an adult would pick up on these messages. 

In successfully adhering to my audience objectives, the work I have created can be commercially applicable. The small installments, or separate stories (the concept of the project) is something original in terms of the application of Fairy Tales. I can see my books on sale in arts and crafts bookshops. Although they are not mainstream ready, I believe, as the stories are short they could be taken on as editorial pieces; in magazines or newspapers as the featured comic shorts (that come at the back of the books). The prototypes I have created are simplistic enough that they could be molded or changed to purpose. However, I a believe that it is my intuition in concept that is most sell-able; the visual language I have created that is wholly my own. I have taken inspiration from other practitioners; learning from the cohesion of their work (what makes it their own?) and applying techniques I have learnt to my own imagery.  In doing so, I learnt a more professional standard of image making and also to concern my work with appropriate style and techniques associated with outcome. 

Constant evaluation; learning from tutorials and experimentation outside my comfort zone has allowed me to create two pieces of work that I am proud of. The outcomes themselves are not free of error; the drawing not always perfection, a few smudges on print and slightly pixilated back covers. However, these are all things that can be rectified, especially as in the creation of my web-comic, I have ensured that this project is ongoing, something that I feel a affinity with and wish to continue. It was my personal objectives, in terms of content and metaphor that I was most keen on meeting. With the completion of this project I have managed to say something about a topic, closely ingrained in my own practice. I believe that, through careful consideration of story, composition, character development and a modern visual language I have made Fairy Tales more empathetic, accessible and reminded people that they are not for children!