2D Design

Reflection

2D Design gave me a greater ability to let go and enjoy art while still challenging myself. When I worked independently, I placed a much greater emphasis on observational studies and drawings, determined to realistically capture whatever it was I was drawing or painting. This meant that coming into 2D Design I had very little experience with compositions, and was also forced to expand my subject matter beyond the human figure. This may have resulted in some unsatisfactory pieces that will always make me wince, but in the long run the discomfort served to expand my horizons and skills, as well as make me more confident in my own artistic style and form of expression.

I learned a great deal over the course of this semester. Some of this progress came in the form of concrete skills, like learning to use photoshop to create a logo or a digital painting, and experimenting with new materials, such as charcoal and ink. However, I feel I learned the most from being able to create my own finished works and compositions. The projects in this class pushed me beyond observational and figure drawing to create real works of art that use imagination and have significance. I was encouraged to think about the layout of a design on paper, and consider properties such as balance or variety, especially in projects like "Designing Abstraction" and "Stars and Stripes". When I worked independently these properties were often neglected in favor of what I defined as skill: the ability to capture reality.

I definitely struggled with the more abstract, less realistic 2D Design projects. I did not have experience in this area and battled with the compositions, unsure of where or why to place certain elements. Yet, looking back I can see that these projects contributed to my later sustained investigation, which features elements of both reality and imagination. I now have the confidence and experience to create pieces which blend my love of drawing figures with imaginative elements that set them apart and bring out a greater message far beyond what my earlier observational drawings ever could. I also feel that experimenting with different kinds of art in 2D Design, ranging from the realistic "Duck Stamp" to the simplistic "Logo Design", allowed me to find my own distinctive style and have the confidence to experiment with new materials and techniques.

In the future, I want to focus on defining my own style while still experimenting and growing as an artist. This means exploring topics of interest artistically, doing research, and working to bring a distinct vision onto a page. I want to explore giving my work texture with materials beyond conventional art supplies, and I also would like to discover new subjects that spark my interest.