EMP - Life on Earth

Written and presented by Sir David Attenborough.

I am looking particularly looking at the programme in this series called "Lords of the Air". I have watched this particular one due to its relevance to my project on birds. There is a helpful section to this programme about how stalks migrate and all the information to accompany.

Below is some useful information from the series:

This programme focuses on birds. The feather is key to everything that is crucial about a bird: it is both its aerofoil and its insulator. The earliest feathers were found on a fossilised Archaeopteryx skeleton inBavaria. However, it had claws on its wings and there is only one species alive today that does so: the hoatzin, whose chicks possess them for about a week or so. Nevertheless, it serves to illustrate the probable movement of its ancestor. It may have taken to the trees to avoid predators, and over time, its bony, reptilian tail was replaced by feathers and its heavy jaw evolved into a keratin beak. Beaks come in a variety of shapes depending on a bird’s feeding habits: examples given include the pouched bill of a pelican, the hooked beak of the vulture and the elongated mouth of the hummingbird. Attenborough hails the tern as one of the most graceful flyers and the albatross as a skilled glider. The swift is shown as one of the fastest: it can fly at 170 km/h. Birds communicate through display and/or song, and the elaborate courtship rituals of New Guinea’s birds of paradise are shown. All birds lay eggs, and the range of different nesting sites and parenting skills is explored. Finally, Attenborough visits Gibraltar to observe migratory birds. These rely on thermals when flying overland and use height to conserve energy when crossing oceans. It is estimated that some 5,000 million southbound birds cross theMediterranean Sea each autumn.   

I love davids voice and his interest in birds really is apparent through all of this videos

EMP - The Uk in 3D

I have made a map of the Uk out of different materials, most of which you would normally find to be used to clean a car! I wanted to experiement with using texture and how it made people felt and if this could tranlated into some interesting for children. Children are always learning more and more things everyday and adding a little something extra to a map that introduces touch. 

Introducing touch to this map could be the way forward for my book. Even if it doesn't massively involve the 3D element but defiantly the texture. 

This map is not yet finished but I aim to finish it to experiment with it on people to see if I get a positive reaction. I am in the process of painting the map white,  Im making a 3d map to test if adding an extra dimension and texture adds interest for a child and go can real texture with emotion.

Its all made out of sponge and sandpaper I want to get rid of all the colour so they can focus on texture and dimensions. 

This is my progression so far: 

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EMP - I have made a test story book

I have made a test story book, this is an initial idea that needs a lot of work! 

I want to see if I can actually make a book to accompany all of the rest of the project ideas. As I think it would be a lovely extra feature that I could involve to show off some of my illustration skills. This short story will be nothing serious, but a humours sketch of a character that features through out the book.

I have based my character on a goose due to a lot of my previous research and photographs being based on geese. I will be changing my decision on birds shortly, but for now I want to focus my attention this research.

I have made my goose a old fashioned character as it may not make sense or attract a younger audience. I have used simple speech to tell my story, which i really like an may keep to! I wanted to keep the pallet very simple. As I must admit at the time I was looking at my Snoopy books which had a contributing factor to my simple colour choice.  

Here are the designs I have put together on Illustrator. I wanted to make my designs into a spread first, so I could visualise it all on one screen before I went on to Indesign. 

P3293369.pdf Download this file

 

EMP - RSPB Youth, Migration route map.

Following on from my last post on the RSPB website they have a section dedicated to a younger audience named 'The RSPB Youth'. On this part of the website I have found loads of useful information, including ways that the charity have tried to attract a younger audience. 

This information is golden, and will be massively helpful. 

Below you can see that RSPB has given a useful way of showing a few different animals migration paths. I could use this information in my book as it can be a trusted source of information. This website also has loads of different activities and games all aimed to get a young audience interested in the environment and birds. I would like to analyse the way that RSPB has written all its text. I want to analyse the use of language they have used. This would help my writing, as my book would need to be able to be read by a younger audience. This will give me an insight into the text need to accompany my illustrations! 

Above you can see I have done a screenshot from the RSPB Youth's website. They have on this page made a simple interactive map showing migration routes of five different animals and their journeys around the world. I found this way of displaying information very effective and simple, showing bold colours and simple explanations. 

When you click on one of the routes on the right it takes you to a more descriptive page. This page explains the animal and the route it takes in more detail. Showing an illustration of the bird and a map to visually show its route. 

What I really appreciate bout this map is how easy it is to use and access. This is the level of complexity that I want to aim for. 

I would like to take this idea and push it into a direction of a book. Making it more hands on and interactive. 

I could imagine all of my previous research and experimentation blending in very well with this book. With this map idea, explaining the migration routes, I could involve all i have learnt about maps and involve some how the pop up and texture element! 

EMP - RSPBFE

http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/learn/migration/index.aspx

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As I am doing my project on a narrative based on the migration of birds told through illustration and map making. 

I thought it would be silly of me not involve the RSPB in my research discussions. They are a massive part of the restiation of the environement and conservation of birds wellfair. As they quote here on their website, on the 'About Us' page, they explain what there charity is all about : 

'Our work is driven by a passionate belief that we all have a responsibility to protect birds and the environment. Bird populations reflect the health of the planet on which our future depends.'

The need for an effective bird conservation organisation has never been greater. Climate change, agricultural intensification, expansion of urban areas and transport infrastructure, and over-exploitation of our seas all pose major threats to birds.

The RSPB could not exist without its supporters and members. Whether you join us, give a donation, purchase items from us or undertake voluntary work, your support is vital to the future of birds and the places where they live.

EMP - Nursery Rhyme Illustrations

Everyone loves a nursery rhyme! It takes us back to childhood, well it does for me. I vividly remember having a book nearly identical to this. My mum would read me these short rhymes and they have stuck with me all my life. This book I came across at my friends, she has now a 6 month little boy who she now reads these rhymes to. I happened to pick it up and start flick through the pages. What really caught my eye about the book was the fact that the book is aimed at a child audience and the illustrations. The illustrations that supported the rhymes were most fascinating, I found myself analysing the style and relating it to my own illustrations. I found this useful, as it has always played on my mind if my illustration style could adapt to attract a younger audience.  

I found these illustrations very charming and I loved especially the decorative frames.   [[posterous-content:pid___0]][[posterous-content:pid___12]]Here above is the inside blurb explaining the book. This explains the illustrator Faith Jaques and her approach to the illustrations. Picking out that she has attractive and historical detailing. I have read the notes at the back of the book and it is financing to read how she broke down these rhymes and made them her own in illustration form.  [[posterous-content:pid___1]][[posterous-content:pid___2]][[posterous-content:pid___3]][[posterous-content:pid___4]][[posterous-content:pid___5]]Below we can see a lovely decretive frame to support the text. [[posterous-content:pid___6]][[posterous-content:pid___7]]Below for the rhyme 'Ring-a-Roses' a clever use of a frame has been used. This song is always usually sung when linking hands with friends in a circle to then drop down at the end of each chorus. This illustration simply illustrates this in a lovely way.  [[posterous-content:pid___8]][[posterous-content:pid___9]][[posterous-content:pid___10]]This small detail on the back page was very central and beautiful. [[posterous-content:pid___11]]

EMP - Nursery Rhyme Illustrations

Everyone loves a nursery rhyme! It takes us back to childhood, well it does for me. I vividly remember having a book nearly identical to this. My mum would read me these short rhymes and they have stuck with me all my life. This book I came across at my friends, she has now a 6 month little boy who she now reads these rhymes to. I happened to pick it up and start flick through the pages. What really caught my eye about the book was the fact that the book is aimed at a child audience and the illustrations. The illustrations that supported the rhymes were most fascinating, I found myself analysing the style and relating it to my own illustrations. I found this useful, as it has always played on my mind if my illustration style could adapt to attract a younger audience.  

I found these illustrations very charming and I loved especially the decorative frames.   [[posterous-content:pid___0]][[posterous-content:pid___12]]Here above is the inside blurb explaining the book. This explains the illustrator Faith Jaques and her approach to the illustrations. Picking out that she has attractive and historical detailing. I have read the notes at the back of the book and it is financing to read how she broke down these rhymes and made them her own in illustration form.  [[posterous-content:pid___1]][[posterous-content:pid___2]][[posterous-content:pid___3]][[posterous-content:pid___4]][[posterous-content:pid___5]]Below we can see a lovely decretive frame to support the text. [[posterous-content:pid___6]][[posterous-content:pid___7]]Below for the rhyme 'Ring-a-Roses' a clever use of a frame has been used. This song is always usually sung when linking hands with friends in a circle to then drop down at the end of each chorus. This illustration simply illustrates this in a lovely way.  [[posterous-content:pid___8]][[posterous-content:pid___9]][[posterous-content:pid___10]]This small detail on the back page was very central and beautiful. [[posterous-content:pid___11]]

EMP - duck, duck.. Goose!

My day out in Poole Park a chance to observe the local geese. I have taken a fair few photo's and video's, I have done this for primary research. As an illustrator I could analyse these photos and videos so I could gat some accurate characteristics and movements. This will benefit my drawings and give them an extra dimension of life. I realise my drawings aren't purely from observation and they are quite abstract. I wish to merely observe their behavior and copy their stances for inspiration for my illustrations. These photos and videos could also fuel into inspiring the story line.

From today's trip to Poole Park I took some notes from what I observed and heard. I wanted to see if I could take anything to inspire me to write: 

- One thing that caught my observation was that the geese had a big dislike towards the seagulls. This was apparent when we decided to take some bread out and feed the ducks. To our surprise there where no ducks! Just one or two, what was apparent was the pond was swarmed with seagulls and geese. All the seagulls were very aggressive and quick to nabbing the food once thrown. Some of the seagulls even went to the some lengths to attack the geese. 

-The other thing I noticed about the geese was the distinct sound that they made. The only way I could explain the sound that the geese made was a kind of 'Honking' sound. The Honking was very load and sharp, it over powered the sounds of the rest of bird which mostly seagulls. 

-I noticed that the geese where mostly paired up in couples, which I thought looked pretty romantic. Also on closer observation the couples would both peck the floor to feed then about after 20 seconds they both look up to check out their surroundings.

-I also found that when we where feeding the birds the female geese showed a more confident attitude towards us and would come right up to us. The males held back and squabbled with the seagulls for the space and food.  

Below are all the photos and videos I took:

Below is a photo of a plaque next to the pond at Poole Park dedicated a lady named Anna Beiner. Her love for the geese was obviously very poignant, this plaque representing a long lasting memory.  

IMG_0696.MOV Watch on Posterous

 

 

EMP - Market Research, my favourites and why?

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Preschool-Books/379003147

On the Barnes and Noble website, I have been discovering the children's section of books. They have spilt books into different categories of ages ranging from 0-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. I have looked through all of the sections; analyzing what age range I would consider aiming my book at. I have found that the books for the older children are long stories with more type than illustration. I have found the younger books more enchanting, In the age range 3-5 I have found a personal childhood story book I loved 'Where the Wild Things Are'. 

All the other books in this section are more of what I am trying to bring to my project. A childhood classic that can be remembered, I still own some of my childhood books. I value them highly, I keep them for the illustrations and memories, something that I purposely keep in good condition. 

Here are some of my favorite books currently on sale at Barnes and Noble! These books are standing the test of time. 

EMP - Borka: The Adventures of a Goose with No Feathers

By John Burningham

Borka is a bald goose, unlike her brothers and sisters, so her mother,Mrs Plumpster, knits her a woollen jersey which means she is warmer at night but a laughing stock among the other young geese! Poor Borka is overlooked when it is time to fly off for the winter but luckily, seeking shelter, she accidentally stows away on a boat headed for London. Her new friends, Captain McAllister and his crew on the Crombie, find her a home at Kew Gardens and here the geese do not laugh at her. She even makes a special friend, a goose called Ferdinand, who cares for her and teaches her to swim. With a nice personal touch, the story ends by asking the reader to look out, if ever visiting Kew Gardens, for a goose who looks a little different because ‘it might well be Borka'.

This enchanting tale follows this young bird and his adventure to over come the winter mouths with out feathers. With this book I am particularly focusing on the illustration style. The illustration style by John Burningham is simple but effective, it attracts his child target audience. By making his illustrations not to complex they become easier to read. This classic children's novel has stood the test of time due to its timeless story and supporting illustrations. I have looked at this story in particular because it relates to my project. This novel and my project have the idea of birds and migration as its main point. 

I have found looking at this book very rewarding and it has defiantly inspired me to consider making a children's book. With a self written story, and illustrations to support. I would love to experiment with how I could write and attract a young audience with a mixture of texture and illustration. I could make extra pieces to support the book e.g. a poster, a map, postcards. 

EMP - Origami experiment

I have made some Origami birds to test how easy they are to make. I have found that the crane design is very difficult to make and the pigeon design didn't look very affective. I had the idea of creating some postcards that could be folded into the birds. Translating the idea of migration, when people travel to seek a better climate and sending a message home by bird. 

EMP - A List for Progression.

At this point in time my list is pretty extensive. I will have to decide on what is priority, so I can aim to do those first and then see if I have time for the rest of my experiments. I will do this by making a decisive Time Plan. 

Below are to many outcomes- I need to cut my ideas down. 

I want to make six outcomes. A book of collected maps, a book of self-evaluation mapping, a designed report, a designed and illustrated book of migrating birds across the world. Make an A1 map with a supporting travel journal of an exploration I have taken.

 

1.    Make a pop-up bird / Map

 

2.     Make origami bird, postcards

3.    D&ad reflection report

4.    Business card, CV portfolio and Website

5.     Make a bird in a ‘where’s Wally’ style

6.    Make a list of birds that migrate and their route

7.    Reference to Information is beautiful testers

8.    Use different materials to experiment with texture on maps

9.    Draw birds with human characteristics

10.  Research how I could make a floor map or table - materials ect…

11. Receive and record the reply from Charlottes dad

12.  Upload all the short hand drawings experiment

13.  Draw a technical drawing of a bird

14.  Illustrate loads of birds flying

15.  Experiment with a layout of a bird in a book travelling across the pages e.g. Frodo

16.  Experiment with the idea of ‘You Are Here’  

17. Do a test – pick a subject and see how much information you can collect on it- make a mind map, see if a ma idea comes to mind.

18.Test with materials, water proof, ink, paint, digital

19. Record results from Hike in a well thought out graphic (using portraits and photo’s)

20. Make a small report on my self-recording into one well-presented layout.

21.  Do an experiment of how texture can link with emotion

22.  Make a Mock-up of a Travel Journal

23. Design a initial Idea of a scavenger hunt

24. Record desire paths in Bournemouth

 25.  Sketchbook (with all the above)

EMP - Pop.up's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-FFeBAV9Y0&feature=related[[posterous-content:pid___0]]The term pop-up book is often applied to any three-dimensional or movable book, although properly the umbrella term movable book covers pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, flaps, pull-tabs, pop-outs, pull-downs, and more, each of which performs in a different manner. Also included, because they employ the same techniques, are three-dimensional greeting cards.[[posterous-content:pid___2]][[posterous-content:pid___3]]

EMP - Tutorial 23.03.12

Here are the notes from my tutorial today with the tutor's, the last one before Easter break. 

I was briefed on my PCP, We asked as a collective what was need from us to for-fill the brief. 

- We need D&ad reflection (Report)

- Evidence show planning (Report)

- Portfolio with business card, website and CV (Report) 

EMP- Origami Birds

Some of the most elegant and lovely models are these origami birds! Ranging from the traditional models of the famous crane, the flapping bird, sitting bird, twirling bird and the simple but sweet pelican.

I have been told to look at the art of origami birds for my research. I was told to research this area because in my crit I had been explaining my appreciation for a map I had brought of London and its underground tube line. This map had a special way of folding out and in on its self to make a neat booklet at first glance. This look my imagination and I dabbled with idea of involving it in my project. 

When I came to the conclusion that I was going to focus my work on birds, mapping and narrative. It came to me that a way of using origami into my design. I started to research and it came apparent the strong link between birds and origami. I started to imagine the maps I make having folds down, enabling the person to fold the map into a simple origami bird. This would act as a more advanced postcard. On one side of the postcard being a map with the chance to draw on your personal destination on and the other to leave a message. This could be part of the travel journal. 

The travel journal could be named 'Flying South' 

This journal could have traits a bird sets out for when migrating:

For food, warmer weather and meeting new people.

This project would give me the scope to make a journal, a map, choose and origami bird and illustration some educational birds.  

To support this I thought it would be interesting to have designed pages throughout the journal of illustrated birds that migrate e.g. the Crane, Goose and the details of there journeys.

I will introduce these postcards and journal as a product. What will I do then? I want to go on my own journey South, by doing this I will show the effectiveness of my journal. I will display my journal and a large map behind which will show my personal exploration.  

A net to make a origami crane. 

Just a few ways that a bird could be made with paper! I would for this project find the most simple, easy and affective bird to make, so it not be to complex for the user. 

 

EMP- Where is Goose?

Where's Wally?

Published in the United States and Canada as Where's Waldo?

A series of children's books created by British illustrator Martin Handford. The books consist of a series of detailed double-page spread illustrations depicting dozens or more people doing a variety of amusing things at a given location. Readers are challenged to find a character named Wally hidden in the group. Wally's distinctive red-and-white striped shirt, bobble hat, and glasses make him slightly easier to recognise, but many illustrations contain "red herrings" involving deceptive use of red-and-white striped objects. Later entries in the long-running book series added other targets for readers to find in each illustration.

This famous series of books has a perfectly brilliant approach to attracting its audience. The books have the simple concept of giving the reader a simple task, which is spotting the main character in a very manic and busy crowd scene. This brings attention from all ages its, a fun task and the complexity of the image can be admired. 

In a way 'Where's Wally' books could be seen as mapping. It shows a landscape from an Ariel view, stating the basic principal of the bringing your eye around the image to find your way to what you’re looking for. 

The iconic character Wally, sporting his well-known outfit of white and red striped jumper and matching hat. This creation of this character Wally has a simple look to the drawing, black outline with bright fill colour. 

I have decided that I want to start to look at children's books for inspiration. How they tell a narrative in an educational way or just the use of simple story telling. I want to make a short book to accompany my Map and Journal to explain all of my drawings and there meanings.

I will admit that I have never made a children's book before, but I think it would be a very new and positive experience. By making my book for a younger audience I give my illustrations meaning and a way to educate children about the impressive feet a bird takes to migrate.

EMP - Scottish Goose

Scottish Goose, I have made below an initial map of the journey I want my goose to venture on around the world. I have named the map Scottish Goose due to a very spontaneous design in decided the goose will start off/ home land will be Scotland. I have always imagined this map as an outlandish narrative. The journey that this goose takes is not a normal route, nor it would be possible for the goose to fly this far. I want to represent an exploration through an animal that is known to travel in the winter, seeking better conditions. Looking for conditions that are warmer weather, more food and increased chances to breed.

This map shows the route around the globe making the shape of a goose. One this line you can see small black dots where I will suggest the goose visits and stays on his travels. There are a in total 14 stops (including Scotland). I have had the thought that at each of these points a record of the area could be made or a postcard? Ideas are still coming fresh to my mind...  

 

 

Cutting birds out of maps, what does this signify? 

See the full gallery on Posterous

 

Goose. Hi 

EMP - Hand Rendered Type

EMP - Grad Film map design

http://www.indiegogo.com/Long-Delayed-Echo-Short-Film

'Long Delayed Echo' is an upcoming short film directed by Larry Ramjutton and produced by Will Shutt. Shot on Super 16mm film, it is a ten-minute drama about broken friendship, isolation and regret. Framed against the spectacular majesty of the Dorset coast, 'Long Delayed Echo' is film that will please the eye, open the mind and warm the heart.

For 'Long Delayed Echo' I have designed and illustrated the basic detailing and composition for a map that will be used as a prop. This map is based on the Swanage area and coast; I have brought the main two filming locations (quarry area on the right and a chapel on the cliff on the left) together to create a fictional map. I have illustrated this map in ink and quill, only putting detailing on the two filming areas. I have given the map to the Production Designer, Jabez Bartlett to age the map appropriately.

Drawing this a1 map was very good practice for my project. I have now had some experience at drawing a large detailed map, I know what kinds of things I have to prepare for and decide on before I start my final map for my EMP.