Tag: trajectory

Report WIP

I think I understand what Nanci means by how I might have too much research to work with. I’m in the midst of planning and writing my report now, and it’s proving quite challenging to talk about my research in a way that leads the report reader to where my project is now. This is just a post for me to brainstorm how to organize my report.

Previously, I wanted to organize it by different sets of literature reviews (i.e. On Mythology, On Postmodern Literature) but I think that might not have any personal voice to it if I work that way. It would sound like a collection of unrelated areas of research, and that’s not my intention.

Right now, I’m thinking of trying to look back on my process (how I began by looking at mythology, minus all of the offshoot projects I did) and organize it in that way so that the reader can understand how I got to the idea of looking at the biological/fantastical aspects of the Castor and Pollux story.

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As for the project itself, I have two narrative ideas at the moment. The first one is set in the 1800s, surrounding a surgeon who becomes fascinated with the Castor and Pollux myth, and the second one is a retelling of Castor and Pollux. I’m not sure how I’m going to mix the two narratives together yet but I’m working on building them now. I’ve been experiencing a lot of ennui again because I just don’t have much motivation to continue after the critique. It’s as if I’ve been in a slump ever since. Hopefully I’ll find some new inspiration, and writing my report will help me consolidate my ideas.

FYP Crit Reflection + Trajectory Update

Takeaways from last Friday’s FYP crit:

  • Be aware of work sliding into overly introspective territory (i.e. try not to make it so obvious that you’re using the book as a vehicle to do what you want/draw what you want)
  • For presentations, trim the content/research a little bit more – I received feedback that suggested I had too much research

Honestly I didn’t receive much criticism about my theme, trajectory or illustration style (I’m genuinely surprised) or in fact any suggestions as to how I can improve my project. I’m going to take it as a sign that I should continue moving on and engaging in research and conceptual thought.

Moving forward, I will be writing more and drawing more and gearing up for production. I want to start settling the content of my book and experimenting with visuals (spreads, illustrations, etc). I might include unrelated conceptual drawings as part of my explorations on duality, but I’d like to get a second opinion. I’m quite inspired by the approach of Crucial Interventions to blending a vintage medical aesthetic with modern grids and type (pictures when the book arrives, I ordered it online for Christmas).

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I’m thinking of working more with geometry and anatomy in my illustrations for my FYP. This is contemporary and trending now among dotwork/blackwork artists and it’s recognizably current visual language (that I have been using as well). I think it’s all going well and I shall produce more variations on this theme. Another thing I’d like to try is collaging royalty-free medical images from the Wellcome image database. They could supplement my own illustrations within the book.