Skills Audit and Self Evaluation

Skills audit, I have completed this audit, which is self evaluation, evaluating my skills. 

GENERIC SKILLS

SKILL	Strong	Okay	To Improve
To work in an identifiable visual language	✔
To be stylistically consistent		✔
To use colour	✔
To work in black and white	✔
To read and understand a brief	✔
To generate and select a range of ideas for a client		✔
To visualize ideas for a client		✔
To locate and appropriately use visual research when required		✔
To work across a broad range of subject areas			✔
To make corrections to an image		✔
To undertake personal work			✔
To create authorial work		✔
To create promotional work			✔
To work in given formats		✔
To scan a piece of artwork	✔
To prepare artwork digitally	✔
To save artwork in the appropriate format and colour mode	✔
To order printed work		✔
To set up and add content to a blog or website		✔
To access the web	✔
To communicate via email	✔
To communicate clearly in written and verbal forms	✔
To organize time		✔
To work to a deadline	✔
To work quickly if required		✔
To manage resources	✔
To work independently	✔
To work in a team	✔
To adapt to change		✔
To respond to criticism		✔
To communicate with clients		✔
To understand the commissioning process			✔
To take a brief	✔
To organize a contract/license			✔
To work out a fee			✔
To negotiate terms			✔
To issue an invoice			✔
To be self-supporting financially	✔
To manage finances	✔

PRACTICAL SKILLS

SKILL	Strong	Okay	To Improve
2d digital	✔
3D rendering			✔
Abstract		✔
Animation animals and nature	✔
Architectural	✔
Art Deco	✔
Automobiles		✔
Boutique		✔
Business		✔
Beauty			✔
Calligraphy			✔
Caricature			✔
Cartoon		✔
Characters		✔
Children’s Illustration	✔
Comic books			✔
Collage		✔
Concept Art			✔
Cutaway Art		✔
Decorative	✔
Digital	✔
Diagrams			✔
Fantasy		✔
Fashion			✔
Food + Drink		✔
Graffiti			✔
Graphic Imagery		✔
Graphic novels			✔
Icons	✔
Infographics			✔
Interactive		✔
Landscapes		✔
Lettering		✔
Licensing			✔
Maps		✔
Medical			✔
Motion	✔
Mural design		✔
Narrative based	✔
Natural history	✔
Naive		✔
Oil/acrylic		✔
Painterly		✔
Paper sculpture		✔
Pen and ink		✔
Photo illustration/montage	✔
Prints	✔
Portraits			✔
Realistic		✔
Satirical			✔
Sci-Fi			✔
Silhouettes	✔
Site-based work		✔
Storyboards		✔
Surface pattern	✔
Surrealism		✔
Technical	✔
Textiles	✔
Toy design			✔
Traditional	✔
Transport		✔
Typography	✔
Vintage		✔
Watercolour			✔
Editorial	✔
Publishing		✔
Illustration for screen	✔
Concept artists			✔
Games design			✔
Decorative	✔
Reportage		✔
Authorial	✔
Design	✔

SPECIALIST SKILLS

SKILLS	1 Lower	2	3	4	5 Higher
Children’s book including text books
Ability to create a diversity of characters and environments				✔
Ability to depict various racial types				✔
Ability to use characters consistently			✔
Ability to depict expressions and moods				✔
Ability to interpret a text				✔
Stylistic consistency			✔
Understanding a sequence and pacing				✔
Ability to make a dummy book				✔
Confidence in positioning text			✔
Writing ability			✔
Working to tight deadlines					✔
Awareness of the requirements of co-editions with different countries		✔
Comic books
Developing an sustaining storyline over many pages and spreads			✔
Understanding how to structure a book		✔
Creating a dummy book			✔
Understanding the function of text and images		✔
Consistency of character			✔
Independent publishing
Constructing books				✔
Creating and working with narrative				✔
Understanding how to produce limited editions				✔
Book jackets
Ability to interpret narrative				✔
Understanding of composition in relation to text space requirements				✔
Use of hand-rendered text for titles			✔
Editorial Illustration
Ability to work quickly			✔
Ability to explore and visualize ideas				✔
Ability to work with diverse subjects			✔
Illustration for screen
Skills in relevant software				✔
Idea generation				✔
Character development				✔
Ability to visualize ideas					✔
Ability to storyboard				✔
Ability to draw diverse subjects			✔
Ability to work quickly				✔
Ability to work in a team				✔
Concept art
Up to date knowledge of computer illustration software packages			✔
Conversant with film imagery		✔
Good understanding of what directors, directors of photography and editors require from a scene		✔
Ability to visualize perspective and 3D spaces			✔
Modeling skills			✔
Knowledge of design, architecture and film			✔
Ability to visually interpret other people’s ideas				✔
Decorative including 3D objects, surface and site-based
Awareness of current trends				✔
Ability to create a range of connected ideas				✔
Ability to generate ideas autonomously				✔
Understanding of specialist processes, techniques and technical issues relevant to the product				✔
Reportage
Ability to work from reference					✔
Ability to work in a variety of situations				✔
Ability to work under pressure			✔
Ability to connect socially and network			✔
Authorial
Understanding how to produce limited editions				✔
Marketing ability			✔
Appropriate craft skills			✔
Advertising
Ability to work closely with an art director		✔
Ability to visualize clearly				✔
Ability to work under pressure				✔
Willingness to be adaptable					✔

Skills audit evaluation

I was actually surprised when completing this audit as to what I actually could do, and the simple tasks I didn’t think were that relevant but valued and important, but most importantly the things I wasn’t confident with, and the activities I had never tried.

Generic skills

Over the past year I have been working hard on using colour, where and when it is appropriate, using limited colour and working in black and white, and the tonal values you can achieve. So I felt that this is becoming one of my strongest skills. Also I have become more aware of how to create work for clients have to respond to and interpret briefs, and conducting research to further my knowledge of the subject matter. However, I do feel that I perhaps need further experience producing a range of options for the client to choose from and how to visual illustrate them in a way which looks appealing, and not just a bunch of scribbles, and sketches. I feel that I do produce authorial work in response of observational work, but I with the exception of business cards and postcards I have never really produced any promotional work to sell my illustrations and I very rarely produce personal work, I seem to need some kind of goal or brief in order to set of my imagination, a rarely am able to produce something solely from my own imagination.

My digital skills have improved enormously, which has meant that I have learnt how to clean up traditional work to a high standard, and have learnt how to layout books, book covers, set software to the correct colour mode and how to print images correctly to a high standard. I have also learnt how to manage a blog, a tool I could use to promote my work and have communicate to people and clients though email, all aiding to my professional skills and practice. I have sent off for a few stickers to be printed through a company called ‘Zazzle’ again a skill I had never used before. This was a successful achievement, but I do feel that I perhaps need to learn how to arrange something a little more complex like a book in the format that the company want, because I do intend to produce a children’s book for my FMP and would like to get it professionally printed, so it may be a thought to print a book before this time so I know what to do, and feel confident in doing so.

I feel that I am able to clearly communicate my ideas to clients and in my university work. I am okay at managing my time, I do meet all of my deadlines, but feel that I do rush my work towards the end and end up working near the the date to finish small tasks off, so perhaps I need to timetable the last couple of weeks before the deadline to ensure that I have enough time if things happen to go wrong, which will also allow me to add anything extra to my work. I am able to work fairly quickly and undepressed but it can be a little inconsistent, something within the stressful period I can produce some of my best work, other times I can’t, so consistency and developing a style which I know I can apply to anything and it will work to a degree is another skill I hope to develop further. I feel that during this year’s groups projects as a couple creating a newspaper publication and as part of a larger school mural project I have shown that I am a team player can take instruction well, and carry it though, can be relied upon and can offer advice and ideas. I feel that I am versatile and am willing to adapt to change, from clients and peers, but I do think I can be a little defensive when it comes to taking criticism, I want to improve, and criticism helps you do that but I think I try and defend myself, and my practice, unintentionally instead of taking it one board immediately. Perhaps I need to ask questions to the critic asking why they feel that way, and what I can do to change this, without responding defensively to what is being said and adapting my work to the critics. 

My experience working with clients is limited, so I do feel I need to gain more experience working freelance, building up contacts and improving specific skills, as I have never had to work out a fee to charge anyone, negotiate any terms, organize a contact/license, or issue an invoice. However, I so have a little knowledge of how to go about these things, and where I can go to find resources to help me price my work, and I have a brief understating of the commissioning process. I brief that during this year I have been able to take a take a brief and communicate with clients, adapting work to meet their critics and expectations, but again more experience is needed. Whilst living away from home at University I have learnt how to support myself financially, meaning that I know I will able to manage my finances if I choice to become a freelance illustrator.

Practical Skills

Over the past year I have really tried to explore many different styles and types of art to try and figure out a style of sort, by trail and testing what techniques and mediums work for me and which don’t. Most of my work in 2 dimensional, but I have been exploring making book, sewing and sculpturing, but its limited, so I could possible explore this further. I have improved enormously with my digital skills, and I think its because of this what my illustration skills have improved, especially in with children’s illustrations, decorative work, icons, infographics, narrative based designs, and photo illustration and montage. Because I have been exploring a lot this year I have managed to touch on a few other aspects of illustrations, but I wouldn’t necessary say they they are strengths of mine, such things include abstraction- something I really hope to do more of, cartoons, character designs, concept art, cutaway art, fantasy, graphic imagery, lettering, mural designs, painting and sculpturing. All of these skills I have tested some were more successful than other, I really enjoyed abstracting my own, finding that it is very time consuming and can be a little frustrating but the work I produced I was really invested and interested in. Graphic and surface designs is another element I want to improve upon, I have create a few icons, sticker and logos through the past year, but it is a skill I think is highly valued and very suited to my digital style, something which is definitely worth pursuing. However, other things like sculpting and painting though I had tried them I don’t think my skill if really suited to them, but by illuminating mediums and ways of working I am slowing revealing a potential style. There are also things on this list which I have next to no experience creating, comic books and graphic novels I have never really attempted, I have created a couple of experiments for other module, but nothing to a high standard, but I honestly feel that this is not the area of specialty I want to go into, I may be wrong, and a little practice may change my mind, perhaps. There are also a few things I have never dreamt of drawing such as food, fashion, graffiti, maps and portraits, which are all very popular subject matters, so I think it would be worth my completing some observation drawings to encourage me to produce illustrations about these subject matters. There are also a few mediums which I have either forgotten about, or just haven’t used, so it may be an idea to slip those also back into my personal work, these include, pen and ink, watercolour, calligraphy, traditional printing and typography.

I have completed editorial illustration, illustration for screens, decorative artwork, authorial and design work, but there are a few style and audiences which I have never and rarely attempt to create for these include concept art, games design and reportage. These genres don’t really appeal to me and I don’t think my style suits them either, again I may be wrong but I am trying to eliminate what I am and am not good at in order to form a style.

Specialist Skills

Children’s book including text books

I really enjoy creating work for the children’s market, feeling that perhaps this is my main target audience. Although improvement I much needed, I believe a have a fairly high ability to create a diversity of characters and environments, depict various racial types, depict expressions and moods, interpret a text and the ability to understand a sequence and pacing. However, there a few things I need to improve upon these include my writing ability especially as I want to write my own children’s book to illustrate for my FMP, use and draw character consistently and have a consistent style, all of which I plan to develop during the summer break.

Created for my children illustration module- a double page spread from my book

Comic books

Comic books are something I don’t tend to produce, I never read many comics or graphic novels as I child, and don’t have a fantastic knowledge of the current trends, therefore my ability to produce them is poor, but I have had a little experience of them.

Independent publishing

This year I have been interested in selling and producing my own notebooks as I have learnt a lot about the construction of books and the different ways of binding books, and producing a narrative book.  I feel my ability is reasonable high in constructing books, creating and working with narrative, and understanding how to produce limited editions. I feel that this is a particular field of interest, and suits my current style, something I will definitely pursue and develop.

Notebook making- Stroud Illustration Fair

Book jackets

I have gained a lot of experience design book covers and jackets this year, so I feel quite confident that I can interpret the narrative of the book, and have gained an understanding of composition in relation to text space required. That said however, I have never used hand-rendered text for titles, as I have mentioned my calligraphy and typography skills are not the great, so this has proven that I need to enhance these skills so they can be applied to my illustrative practice, especially as it is my field of interest.

Book Jacket- Michael- Morpurgo An Elephant In The Garden

Editorial Illustration

I do have a little bit of experience and knowledge of editorial illustration, but not enough to say that I have experience it enough to call my work professional in this field. Feeling that I am adequate at working quickly, but the results are a little mixed, I have a good ability to explore and visualize ideas, and okay as working with diverse subjects, but do tent to work with things that I know I can do, a safe zone, which I think I need to step out of.

Illustration for Screen

My digital skills have soared this year and because of this new found love and skill my illustration has in turn improved. So I do feel that my knowledge of software is fairly strong particularly with Photoshop and InDesign, I am currently teaching myself the adobe suite software, focusing on Illustrator. It may be an idea to look into the software design companies use and gain an understanding of them so I can say when it comes to applying for jobs I am confident with them. I feel that my idea development and my ability to visualize ideas is strong, which then allows me to storyboard narrative and create characters. I have a tendency to only draw what I am capable of and feel comfortable drawing, so I do need to improve the diversity of subject matters I illustrate. I feel that I have shown that I can work in a large team and a team of two this year as well as manage my independent practice, a crucial skill for any career.

Concept art

Concept art is something I haven’t really explored and have little knowledge of the topic, therefore I am not conversant with fil image, and I don’t have have a good understanding of what directors, directors of photography and editors require from a scene, because it is not the sort of work I have been creating. But my knowledge of computer illustration software packages is adequate and so I my ability to visualize perspective and 3D spaces and to visually interpret other people’s ideas, so I do have some skill in the area. I have also had very limited experience creating 3D models, but I have always loved the idea of working on a film set of theatre setting, so I think it will be definitely valuable to conduct some research on these fields, and begin to fill in the skills I am missing or lacking in.

Decorative including 3D objects, surface and site-based

I enjoy producing decorative illustration, from pattern and surface design to highly decorative drawings, so I do feel that I am aware of the current trends of 3D objects, surface and site-based decorative design. I think I have a strong ability to create a range of connected ideas, which share similar patterns so they look like a collection and have a good understanding of specialist processes, techniques and technical issues relevant to the product, without the guidance of others.

Work produced for self publishing unit- wrapping paper 

Reportage

My ability to draw from observation had improved enormously over the past year, I am able to draw from locate quickly and fairly accurately, and provide myself with enough information to inform my illustrations. I am able to work in varies situations, but can feel a little intimidates and pressurized by members of the public watching, something I will have to learn to ignore.

Authorial

I have a good understanding of how to produce a limited edition of a product, but my marketing ability is lacking because I have little experience selling my own work, but I feel that I have a fairly strong craft ability and can create handmade things to a good standard to sell, but perhaps needs to conduct some research into what product people want to buy, and apply my work to them.

Advertising

I have never had the opportunity to work with an art director, I have worked with people who have taken charge of projects, but I have never had the experience of working for an art director, something I need to think s about and experience. But I feel I have a strong ability to visualize clearly, work under pressure and are highly willing to be adaptable to given situations.

           

Self-Evaluation

1.List 4 professional qualities that you possess

• ·      Passionate
• ·      Dedicated
• ·      Reliable
• ·      Creative

2. List 4 personal qualities about you and your ideas/beliefs/thoughts etc. What are you passionate about?

·      Passionate about creating work for a reason to communicate a certain message, to make people aware of an issue, and generally producing work for a purpose, rather than for entertainments and joy.

·      Book, keeping the book industry alive, encouraging people to read or pick up an illustrated book- graphic novel, rather than viewing everything on a screen

·      Making people aware of the power, potential  and importance of the design industry- as I believe I can be overlooked by some, as not as equally important or powerful as other industries, so I hope to create work which defies people expectations and gets people taking.

·      Combining lots of different activities and thoughts together, collaborating with their art forms or different fields, I think is special and more effective. Working alongside dancers, musicians and even scientist to produce things and advertise others work is an interesting and exciting concept to me.

3. How would someone else describe you?

4. Within your work as an illustrator, what are your specialist skills?

As an illustrator my specialist skills would be my ability to draw using pencils, graphite and coloured pencils, it is my favorite medium, and feel my best work is produced using it. I feel that I have a strong sense of design, and are currently hinting towards graphic designs elements in my illustration. I have a strong understanding of digital software, especially the Adobe Creative suite. I am able to interpret brief well, providing clients with lots of options and room for change.

5. Why should someone hire/commission you?. What unique things can you offer?

Someone should hire or commission me because I try and invent new and unique concepts I don’t like to stick to the obvious, straight forward idea when presented with a brief, I like to research nd explore new concepts and ways of working, which push the boundaries, which starts conversation, and the spread o information and opinions.

7. What is the purpose of your imagery?

The purpose of my imagery is to tell some kind of narrative or story, whether it’s a single image or a collection I think to have a background behind the image, rather than a mark being their for the sack of it I think to think that my images have being clearly constructed and everything is composed for a certain reason or to gain a certain reaction.

8. Define your practice in one sentence

My practice is very varied I have a very contained strict style, which can appear elegant and sophisticated, suited to an adult audience, in conjunction with my crazy, brightly coloured style which is busy and highly textured catering very well to the children’s market.

9. What do you want to illustrate? Who is your target audience/identified market?

I think my defined market is definitely the children market, I don’t have a particular age group I target, but obviously most illustrations are completed for younger children’s picture books, but there are still options for book cover designs. I feel that my current style is suited to this audience more so than the adults market, that said I do enjoy producing work which is self-published which I tend to lean towards the adult market for, before it is larger in this field.

10. Are you looking to be an illustrator full time or part time? Part time - what else will you do alongside illustration?

I really have no idea that this stage what I want to go into after university, I have lots of different ideas and thoughts, and lots of options I want to consider and experience. Because my mixed thoughts I am leaning to trying to be a free-lance illustrators part time and then perhaps having a design job somewhere alongside it. I hope that this was I will be able to experience the best of both worlds, being able to work as part of an agency, working to briefs and for clients, and then also working as a functional part industry in a creative setting, which will be another opportunity. By doing this I hope they it way guides me towards a career path that I want providing me with the experience in a variety of jobs, which I can then choose from.

11. What other things will you need to consider about being a freelance Illustrator/Designer/Lecturer/Concept Artist etc.

I will need to consider if I choose to become a freelance illustrator/designer if I want to be presented by an agent, I have a little knowledge of this, from conducting research and meeting an agency at the London Book Fair, but I think I need to conducted deeper research into a number of agencies to see whether this will suit me and my work, and whether I can sustain myself financially. So I will need to come up with a list of agencies I would like to send my portfolio of to, which are suited to my style of work, whether that be the children’s market or editorial.

12. What work experience did you do?

I have entered multiple competitions some of which I was successful and won, others I didn’t but gained an insight into the this competitive industry, and further experience interoperating briefs. I have helped organize and curate a exhibition held at the University. I have attended London Book Fair, which has prepared me for next year, where I will present my portfolio to a panel of art directors, I now know what to expect, and the scale of the event. As part of a large team I have helped stimulate, organize, produce and install and mural at a local secondary school, and have assisted students in creating their own work, which will make up the mural.

13.Has the work experience changed anything you feel about your future ambitions and your practice?

This work experience has changed what I feel about future ambition and my own practice. I have found that I have a passion and skill in producing illustrations for children and in particular children’s book, and designing book jackets, which appears to be my main target audience. I have learnt that it may be a possibility to be self-employed and to self-publish and sell some of work, though a lot of research and time needs to be invested in to the work out how the license, price, brand and market myself and my work. Before my work experience working in the mural I thought I have out ruled working with children, but I found it very rewarding helping children especially on a larger project, outside their curriculum. I enjoyed organizing and stimulating the project, feeling very enthused by the outcome, something I will definitely try and pursue again.