Evaluation

        The Responsive module has provided a number of new and challenging experiences which have been beneficial not only in preparing us for life as creative professionals, but also in making us question the way in which we work and interpret briefs. We have been presented with more stringent guidelines and requirements than we are perhaps used to. We have been taught to think about how we might approach briefs which may not initially seem relevant to our practice, and how this may in fact prove to be an advantage. Yet perhaps the greatest opportunity this module has presented is the chance to work collaboratively for the first time.

            Up until now, every module of the animation course has been individual. We have had full creative control and been able to make all of our own decisions regarding a project’s development. However, this is often not the way that professional animators will work, so it is greatly important that we begin to learn how to work as a team, and not just as an individual. Having never worked collaboratively before, there were times that the necessity of compromise felt restrictive, while I also felt somewhat uncomfortable not being in full control of every aspect of the project.

This is not to say that I didn’t trust my creative partner; on the contrary, I believe that despite warnings against working with friends, the fact that Rebecca and I are close worked to our advantage. We were aware of each other’s skills, weaknesses and working methods, meaning we were quickly able to identify which tasks would be best suited to one another. As we were familiar with one another, it also made it easier to raise issues and concerns, whereas I may have felt uncomfortable approaching someone I was less well acquainted with.

This module has also presented an excellent opportunity to move away from our comfort zones. Working alongside illustration students has challenged my usual way of thinking about a project, as they often raised questions during peer reviews that may not have occurred to an animation student. As many of the available competition briefs did not necessarily require an animated outcome, there has been the chance to create responses that allow greater focus on our chosen area of creative interest, for example character design and storyboarding.

More than anything, Responsive has allowed me my first glimpse into what it may be like to work to the specifications of a client. We have learned to analyse briefs, to identify the areas of importance, and recognise where it may be acceptable to take artistic license. By extensively questioning what a brief is asking, it is possible to determine new and unusual solutions which may allow our work to stand apart from competition, as an animator may visualise a different solution to an illustrator, a graphic designer or a creative advertiser. We have also been introduced to the concept of creating presentation boards, and putting together pitches in order to attract the interest of potential clients, who may be considering the work of several artists. Visits from a number of professionals, as well as CBBC, have helped to enforce how important the ability to create a strong pitch will be during a career in animator, an increasingly competitive industry.

While I can appreciate all of the benefits, lessons, and opportunities that this module has offered, I cannot say it has been one of the more enjoyable modules. It has been difficult to identify a number of competition briefs which I felt would benefit my creative practice. While there are competitions aimed specifically at animators, many of these require an animated entry, rather than allowing me to focus upon design. The vast majority of available competitions were, it seemed, target at graphic designers and creative advertisers. Although some such briefs allowed a certain amount of flexibility and adaptability, others were quite stringent in their require outcomes, requesting typographical outcomes, meaning that they were rather uninspiring to me. However, this is all part of the process of learning to identify suitable briefs. In future, I intend to look more closely at book illustration briefs, as these would provide ample opportunity to look at character, concept and environment design.