Previous relevant work and intentions

Books and prints

As my creative practice specialises in book-making and print-making, I will share some chosen works that best demonstrates my skills, experience and professional interest.

The chosen books present a range of techniques in construction; printing and binding, as well as design decisions made for successful execution of concept; the choice of paper stock, book structure, content creation and layout. Traditional methods of bookbinding can be seen in the Sketchbook I have included, which is a hardback coptic stitch bound book of six signatures, finished with gold foil which is hand-tooled. As for print-making; Mona Letr, Mona Cigr, Mona Vampr show my knowledge in letterpress printing, and also give an example of how my ideas manifest through my creative practice. Combining the older printing method with digital technology and a ‘masterpiece’ painting, the prints challenge the audience to question the value of art in the current climate. A similar idea was explored through book-making, resulting in Fine ASCII Art, which is a perfect bound digitally printed paper back presenting a range of artworks reproduced as ASCII art. This gives a sense of how one idea can develop in different forms within my creative practice.

There is also evidence of strong collaboration with other creative practitioners, such as the work with Jake Cox in which I was to design and produce a book using a selection of his illustrations. The outcome reflects his artistic style with strong use of colour and playful elements, such as the zig-zag stab stitch binding.

Tycoon is the most experimental book that I have made thus far, with the use of image manipulation, unconventional typesetting and innovative book design. Based on the PC game Rollercoaster Tycoon, it explores the perspective of both the player, and the game characters. The design creates an interactive experience to bring about the feeling of gameplay. The structure features a range of techniques and bold design decisions; gatefolds, tip ins, multiple paper stocks, as well as a DVD case for the cover and screen printed material. This evidences the range of skills within my creative practice, and examples how my ideas can develop and translate into finished works.Water Culture was created in response to a brief set by Joe Gillmore; to use a book of choice as a starting point and make a zine. The chosen book presents an in depth analysis of the relationship between humans and water. The zine is a photographic statement, in which the reader experiences the images within the book through plastic and water. The images were created using clear acetate placed over the images on the pages with water droplets on the surface. A plastic cup filled with water is also used, touching upon the subject of water pollution. The zine is perfect bound with clear plastic for the cover, so that the reader can recreate the process of playing with water on the zine. This is an example of how I use the form of the book to create an experience appropriate to the book's intention.

The work presents a good understanding of book-making and print-making, as well as touching upon the themes that I wish to explore on the MA course. There is evidence of specialist skills and techniques, a range of processes that will be integral in production and experimentation, as well as interesting ideas that could be expanded upon.

Intentions...

On the MA course I intend to alter the form of the book, the experience it provides the reader, and use various printing methods, all of which have been touched upon and evidenced within the submitted work. For example, Tycoon creates a tactile immersive experience that simulates digital gameplay by utilising the design opportunities of book-making. I can take the skills from this and bring them to new challenges; pushing the boundaries of book design further in favour of deepening the immersive experience. It also uses various printing methods; both digital and screen printing, which was integral to achieve the desired finish of the book. These skills will be used in my practice during the course in order to achieve a conceptual cohort of work.

I wish for this to lead to an in-depth understanding and advanced knowledge of my subject, as well as critical awareness of the current climate of my profession. Themes of digital technology, art culture and society's value systems have been explored in the work submitted; Mona Letr, Mona Cigr, Mona Vampr prints and the Fine ASCII Art book, and I feel these themes could be expanded upon. However, I intend to reach out further, bringing in other themes, such as consumerism and the fast paced nature of life today.

I also aim to work collaboratively with other creative practitioners, in order to develop research, initiative and knowledge of ethics. The work selected has examples of collaboration, such as with Jake Cox and Peter Blaskett, who was the client for the commission of the Sketchbook, in which elements of his paintings were incorporated into the design of the cover. The experience of working with others has gained me important knowledge in professional integrity, which will be vital for the success of my professional practice.

Due to the nature of my work being conceptual and investigative, I feel the development of intention throughout the masters will dictate what my future direction will look like. It may lead to a path of professional creative practice, working with learners, or the possibility of researching further. Whichever direction this takes, the MA course is an essential step for me to have a role in shaping the future of my creative field.