Responsive: Made You Look

'Made You Look' is an art documentary for anyone who is interested in graphic design/illustration/animation, and it looks at both handmade and computer generated work, and in essence explores just how much technology has effected the design world. I found this documentary to be fascinating and took a lot from it because if follows real illustrators and graphic designers who have been successful and their work ranges from experimental doodles, to refined computer based design. These artists were a bit older than me, so they remembered the invention of the internet and the start of drawing with computers, whereas for me, I have almost grown up with computers in a way, so when they explained how the internet was a weird concept for them, to me it is completely normal.

Of course the main ethos of my course is computer based, so it was interesting to see practitioners views on the digital medium, especially those who's core art forms are handmade. Though some of them didn't appreciate this 'take over' of digital media, some thought that we were going back to the ages where everyone used a pencil, as nowadays people who use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator use graphic tablets which have interactive pens, so in a way is like holding a pencil and using your hands to create art. In a way this digital medium is inevitable, because almost every person has either a phone or a laptop, so there is no getting away from it, and in some ways I can understand the frustration for those who are struggling to make their handmade art relevant. 

Despite this love/hate relationship with handmade and digital art, whether it be a blank page or a blank screen, in a way both are the same and if you're feeling stuck and ideas aren't coming then, whatever the medium, it's a struggle. I have felt this a lot, and it doesn't matter what you are working on, you have to bring something to it, so in this respect, both digital and handmade art are linked in a way, both start with a blank canvas, it is up to you to bring it to life.

The documentary has inspired me to try new things. I usually run straight for Photoshop when I receive a new brief/project, but the artists in this documentary have influenced me to try other mediums. I want to try painting again, make more fine liner drawings, do lots of doodles and step away from the computer. I want to just make things and not worry about whether they will be judged or not. Your styles constantly develops and this is okay, keep practicing and you will be where you want to be.