Research and Development in Illustration - 5th October

Research

Paul Davis - 'Notebook after notebook after notebook, because I feel sick when I forget potentially good ideas'.

'I don't slack. I take photos. I draw. I scan. I photoshop'.

The dictionary definition of research is as follows:

• Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry.
• Close, careful study.
•  To engage in or perform research.
• To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner.

Although the dictionary gives the specific definition, it doesn't quite justify the importance of the effects and development that research brings; research is invaluable to ones own practice. Other descriptions of research are: investigation, studying, exploring, examining, making enquiries into... there are also two different directions in which to base your research, primary and secondary, both tend to be used throughout work. Primary involves collecting original data, this can involve creating questionnaires and collecting your own data, as well as interviewing and drawing. Secondary involves looking at data that already exists, this can involve studying books and surfing the internet.

Another important area of research for illustrators is producing visual research, this involves surrounding oneself with stuff that inspires, this can be achieved through drawing, collecting, reading and this can be done via different forms such as collecting images, videos and drawings.

Another illustrator other than Paul Davis that tends to do a lot of this is Jill Calder:

'I love drawing. I'd quite happily draw on anything (and quite often do) but some hot pressed Fabriano paper or a Moleskin notebook are my surfaces of choice'.

Through taking part in visual research/visual practice, it enables you to obtain a much deeper understanding of the specific subject in which you are researching into, which inevitably means a better outcome in your own work. This is why research in general is so important in a visual communicator's work.

Inspiration

Rian Hughes - Illustrator; this particular image was produced through working with Geri Halliwell on a set of children's books. To create this a certain amount of inspiration would have had to be produced, which i imagine would have mainly been obtained through Halliwell's children's books.



Inspriation can be gathered through many different ways, it is obtained through constant inquiry and through having a joy of finding things, in many ways it has a deep connection with research. Different workers are inspired through different means, some don't feel comfortable with drawing so instead they collect things and stick them down, some visual communicator's are inspired by anything and everything.

'It is the ability to think visually and the development of a personal visual language comes from learning basics, being open-minded, hard work, sustained practice and taking risks', 'Research should be broad and in-depth, enabling you to innovate, not imitate' - Wigan - Thinking Visually 2006. 

'Collecting things stimulates the brain. It helps you think of something fresher' - Tony Davidson and Kim Papworth.

So there it is, inspiration is gathered through keeping your eyes peeled all the time, working hard and therefore getting better, collecting various things to work from, experimenting with different materials, innovation and a constant inquiry into everything. Although working towards your own strength tends to enhance that specific area, experimenting could bring out a different side to your work, one that you didn't even know existed, and therefore inspiration has been ignited!