Summing it up: Creativity

I have really enjoyed the diversity and the freedom to experiment and express in this unit.  I must say my perspective on the term creativity has also been affected as a result of this unit. Prior to the introduction of CCA1103, I looked at creativity in what I then believed was broad, only realising that I now have a broader understanding on the term.

Creativity is a hard thing to define, although I have come to believe that it really just is as simple as personal expression with the necessary ingredients of trial and error.

This unit has expanded my idea’s around creativity and provided me with additional knowledge and greater depth of appreciation for the craft. Today when I look at the term, I no longer hold an immediate association toward the arts, or anything specific really. I look at it as something that is hard to define because you cannot really define it. The entire scope of it is broad and that is the fantastic thing about it.

References:

Image 1: Retrieved from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/62065301094592925/

Developing in Pen

 

I’ve finally created and chosen the characters for the comic. Next step will be to refine, place characters in their sequence of appearance and add colour.

Throughout the process so far, I have lost count on how many times I have changed my mind on the visual appearance and style of what I would like to achieve.

 

Doodling Cont.

Here I go practicing my drawing skills while developing a particular style of drawing to my characters.  I am pretty happy with the layout and development of the first sketch, more so  over the second below – I just couldn’t get her hair right so I went for a tied back bun look, which I think failed. I attempted to border around the remainder where the hair would appear if I drew it.

Doodling

Image 1: Wooden white pencils

I’ve finally commenced the process of putting pencil to paper. Here is a brief sketch where I was finding my drawing style and mapping out my character’s.

References:

Retrieved from: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/41587996537725887/

 

Reading for Inspiration

The other day I found a forgotten, generous voucher to a favourite store of mine in the suburbs of Mount Hawthorn, WA. The record, books and stationary store Diabolik, is to me like Ikea is to interior lovers.

On this day I developed a new found love for graphic novels and a slight obsession with the author of my newly owned graphic novel, Killing and Dying. Apart from the ridiculously attractive cover art of the book, I must admit the morbid title is really what led me to pick this piece up.

The author and artist, Adrian Tomine has inspired me toward a new style of story-telling and illustration. My reason for this post is not to critique or applaud its existence and Adrian’s talent but to highlight the increased motivation I have to one day create my own work to this standard.

Unfortunately, with the progress I have already made for my original project, I doubt I would have the time and patience, to redo the style I have already decided upon.

Here is a little image of the book.

Begin Brainstorming

First thing is first, I’ve started a brief and basic brainstorming table to help innovate ideas. I’ve used brainstorming methods for many of my projects in the past and the thing that I find the most useful from them, is that everything seems random at first but in the end you find a way the link each idea up. Plus it helps create an order or procedure for me to follow.

The point of the below brainstorm is to establish and refine a plot for my story.

Character Development: Building the Perfect Protagonist

One of the biggest challenges I have met so far has been coming up with a plot. Something which sounded seemingly easy to me at first hand has been an interesting obstacle to face. I’ve already learned some new things about myself; I struggle to come up with ideas unnaturally. For example, on most days I receive a number of new ideas populating my mind. They tend to arise when I least expect and I am continually finding new places to store them, mostly on my phone. I think I better invest in a small journal that I can take with me everywhere. As a perfectionist, tasks like this are usually where I get stuck. Generally, it is because I want everything to flow together perfectly, on the first go – which of course is not going to happen.

I’ve decided that completing a full character development sheet will allow my imagination to take over, and find me a workable concept that will at least get me started.

Below is my character development sheet for my protagonist.

PERSONAL
First Name:Zala
Surname: Casper
SEX: Female
D.O.B/Age: 17/10/1999 / 17 years

Height/Weight: 5’7 / 57KG
Hair Col: Long dark, natural S shape wave
Eye Col: Amber
Skin Colour: Olive
Posture/Movement: Poised, good posture
Appearance: Attractive, long limbs, clean, dimples
Defects: beauty spot
Heredity: Hungarian, Japanese

SOCIOLOGY:
Class: Middle
Occupation: Student
Grades: A,B
Home Life: Distant
Marital Status: Single
Religion: Athiest
Place in Community: loner
Hobbies etc: Reads a lot, plays piano

PSYCHOLOGY
Sex life: Straight
Premise/Ambitions: Become a fictional author, find home
Frustrations: Hasn’t found her place in the world
Temperament: Chilled, shy
Attitude to life: Melancholy but appreciates the little things
Qualities: Good listener, loves change
IQ/Intelligence: 110

 

References:

Image 1: Retrieved from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/339810734359891670/

 

The Story for my Project

Initially for the final project, I had planned to complete an entire short story in the form of a comic strip. This thought has now shifted due to multiple reasons, including how I would be developing and producing my comic strip and the timeframe for me to do so. I have also gained inspiration from another unit for my major, which is a film scriptwriting class. Although scriptwriting doesn’t exactly apply to comic strips in the sense that the scriptwriting class approaches films, some of the techniques and skills we are learning in that class apply to all forms of story-telling and could benefit me in my character builder.

Since I plan to continue with this comic strip once the unit comes to an end, for the final project I am aiming to work on and complete the first few scenes of the story only. This way I believe I can concentrate on developing the storyline – which will, of course, take time, as well as focus strongly on improving my artwork and develop my characters, all of which will require equal time and effort.

So far all I have for the story is the name and a very vague character description and plot, here we go.

Zala is my protagonist. The theme is a coming-of-age story, of a young orphan who is determined to find any connection to her ancestors and where she came from. Through her journey, she is led on an intriguing and strange adventure that will change her life in a peculiar way.

My next step is to complete a character sheet, that will help me refine my protagonist, and further understand how to shape my story.

 

References:

Image 1: Retrieved from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/558305685035536710/

The Proposal

What is Zala, From Home
Zala, From Home is a contemporary, short story comic strip.

Synopsis
My motivation behind this concept was firstly, to draw and secondly to tell a story. I wanted to incorporate two disciplines which I hold great enthusiasm for, as well as areas I would like to advance in. Apart from consolidating my passions into this project, I had set goals earlier in this year to draw and write more; to ultimately increase my creative outlook. The concept of a comic strip is what I see as the start of one creation, subsequent for something I plan to further produce, following the completion of this unit.

Drivers: Goals & Objectives – What am I hoping to achieve?
• Sharpen my skills and grow my knowledge in storytelling and illustrations
• Deliver a clear message and/or story line to my reader
• Create visually appealing illustrations
• Create identifiable character’s; develop these character’s, the setting and plot
• Take a modern approach to comic strip presentation, while still abiding to the basic traditions and elements of the craft

Image by Matt Blease

Why a comic strip?
Initially I wanted to cover a project related closer to my major; Animation. Thinking pragmatically, I saw that the idea was too advanced for my current skillset as a first year student, with no prior software experience and lack of knowledge in that field to equip me. Considering the time frame remaining for my project, I decided not to create an animation – nor an entire comic book, as I felt this would be an unreasonable time frame to complete either of those concepts accordingly. Instead, I have selected to approach this project in the form of a short story comic strip. I see comic strips as a great way for creative expression. I would not class myself as an avid comic book collector, or reader, although the concept has always enticed me. Due to the slightly alien knowledge I have behind comic books, I saw this project as an opportunity to greet a challenge and experience something new. Too many unfinished story ideas occupy the notes section in my iPhone and iPad, I figured I could no longer ignore establishing all of them. With the inspiration and a story base not far from my hands, I intend to take the plot from one of my many ideas and begin to explore and create.

Creativity and Comic Strips – My Link
Creativity to me is the internal emotion that one ejects into an external piece as an expression. I perceive creativity to be not limited to any way or form, and as an extremely broad element. Creativity is something without boundaries, that allows us to think and do outside of any restraint. A comic strip tells a story, or at least conveys a single message. Deriving from an expression of its creator, a comic strip, like a film, a song, novel or a poem is entitled to freedom of variety through its process of storytelling. Combining illustrations with words, a message is experienced when we view it.

Layout & Form – How will this be presented?
• At this stage I plan to begin my planning process on pen and paper, until I feel confident in the overall visual appearance of my character’s.
• I plan to use Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator to refine and complete my overall comic strip appearance.

Timeframe
I have set myself an agenda consisting of six weeks from start to finish, to create my short story comic strip. I have allocated a minimum of two nights per week, to work on my project. Taking into consideration my other units, as well as my two casual jobs, I believe this time frame is realistic and achievable.

Breaking Down the Process
• Analyse a range of differing comic strips, to understand how plot, character and setting elements are introduced and conveyed
• Research credible sources for comic writing and overall creating
Stage 1: Ideation/Concept
• Find that idea!
Stage 2: Plot and Character Development
• Expand concept into a workable storyline
Stage 3: Script
• Begin and complete writing before commencement of artwork
Stage 4: Art Production
• Sketch out story on paper
Stage 5: Letters
• Dialogue balloons/boxes to be added after the art
• Lettering to be done on computer
• Allow for proper placement of boxes, so they don’t interfere or compete with composition of key artwork
Stage 6: Edit, Check, Finalise

Challenges
At present, my lack of knowledge with regard to Adobe Illustrator, is one difficulty that could result in a delay of production. However, I choose to view this challenge in a positive way, as I am encouraged to self teach myself material sooner, rather than later.
Whilst I intend on using Adobe Illustrator for the fine tuning of my final creation, I am currently researching alternative methods also.

Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/6e9yzlvwY_/

Retrieved from: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/558305685035536710/

Creative Property & Copyright

In a legal sense, copyright is defined as a form of intellectual ownership that incorporates rights to artistic and literary works (Flew, 2015). The reading this week prompted attention toward Creative Property & Copyright, writer Catherine Burwell discusses the influential movement of video text. Burwell states that a vast majority of media theorists believe remixing to be one of the most significant cultural practices of our time (Manovich, 2005; Navas, 2012).

 

Copyright laws have increased significantly over the last few decades, with the accessibility of the internet a key driver in this decision (Flew, 2015). Digital and social media technologies which exist through the internet have made their way into the hands of individuals and companies globally, positioning as a risk for anyone who submits or shares creative pieces online. Another issue is the development of technologies that enable low-cost reproduction of data and information, there are many copyrighted products readily available worldwide. These are used for legal commercial purposes, non-legal commercial purposes and non-commercial purposes (Flew, 2015). With many people not educated correctly on how the system works, the issues in copyrighting and the negative connotations will continue to shadow this industry.

 

Burwell focus’s largely on video remixing, praising its benefits on today’s society and our future. Some may say that remixing is about stealing someone else’s work, others would argue that remixing assists creative development and allows an artist further grounds to experiment on, we have yet to all come to a conclusion on the topic. I personally agree that remixing is a positive creative movement. I see it as a way to develop a defined, original signature, sound or style if you like. One’s options become infinite in this new world of remix, where any sound is available for use. It is an example of creativity moving forward.

 

Depending on how you would like to view it, almost everything in life is a remix, a copy an alteration. We’ve taken a little bit of this, added a little bit of that and a little bit of this over here, there you have it, a brand new piece of art. There, remixing can be applied to any art. In creative industries especially, remixing needs to have a home. Creatives, more than the rest of us, should understand the importance of change, variation, and diversity and embrace these qualities.

 

References

Burwell, C. (2013). The pedagogical potential of video remix. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 57(3), 205-213. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/doi/10.1002/JAAL.205/full

 

Flew, T. (2015). Copyright and Creativity: An Ongoing Debate in the Creative Industries International Journal of Cultural and creative Industries, 2(3).

 

Manovich, L. (2005, November 15). Remix and remixability.

Rhizome. Retrieved from rhizome.org/discuss/view/19303/