Final Design

As this brief required a personal response, requesting a drawing of something that helps you relax as an individual. I therefore chose to create a repeated pattern design, making up the shape of a Border Terrier face. The decision to complete this design was due to the feedback comments towards the uniqueness of an animal illustration, as well as it having a strong personal connection to myself. The pattern that makes up the face is reflected to creative a full face. As the design will be displayed on an A3 double page, the margin fold will be through the middle of the illustration. To accommodate this, there is minimal detail in the centre of the design, with the block shape of the nose being large enough to ensure that the least amount of detail would be lost in the design. Test prints of the design have been completed to ensure that this is the most appropriate layout of the design.

Illustration Design

The animal that was chosen to be used in the illustration was determined through personal experience as well as there being supporting research. 

The brief requires that the prints are made on A3 paper with a 3px brush size. These are requirements that have been met when completing the illustration. The brief also states that the book will be A4 therefore indicating that the A3 print will be folded in half. This means that the pattern either needs to be across the full page or with a margin gap so that the least amount of detail is lost within the margin fold. 

Reflecting back on the Adult Colouring book research, many of the patterns are repeated to fill the page. Repetition is also something that is known to relax and individual due to the repetitive motion/appearance. 

Through discussions with peers, the singular design was favourited due to this being the design that allowed the full details of the illustration to come through. Although the reasons for repeating the illustration design were described as being 'strong' and 'relevant', it was also said that the 'impact of the illustration is lost through the overcrowding of the page and the mass of detail'. This led to the reconsideration to which design would be submitted. The designs were also printed on A3 to demonstrate how they would work with being folded down the centre. As the repeated patterns do not cross the centre margin line, the only issue raised was with the centred design. However, due to the design having minimal detail in the centre, this was not a justified issue. 

Feedback on Ideas

After generating a range of ideas and different ways in which each could be approach, a feedback discussion was had with a group of peers. Prior to the feedback session, I began sketching some different designs to show visuals of the type of style that the line drawings would be drawn in.

In the feedback group I explained that I thought the under the sea theme was the strongest due to the aesthetics of a repeated pattern as well as it being gender neutral. However, many of the comments made were negative towards this design; 'I wouldn't think to relate an underwater scene with relaxing' and 'The design needs more detail so that it is clear as to what the scene is' are two comments that stood out in the discussion. Although the first is a personal opinion, it is a valid comment to make. As it is a more ambiguous response, there may be less submissions that focus on this subject therefore developing this idea further may be beneficial to the response. On the other hand, as there is a limit to the time spent on this brief through self inflicted deadlines, another design approach may be more successful rather than focusing on a subject where my drawing strengths lack.

In terms of an alternative design approach, one idea that received more positive comments and interest was the idea of creating an animal shape out of a pattern design. This idea was influenced through the drawings in the Enchanted Forest adult colouring book, as well as through my own interest in animals. This approach was described as being 'unique' and would 'benefit my illustrative practise more than other ideas' as it would allow me to experiment with my own freehand style. On the other hand, it was also said that this may be an obvious response to the brief and it is therefore important that a personal approach is taken in creating the line drawing. 

Initial Ideas

After exploring the current styles that are used in adult colouring books and referring back to the brief, the following notes were made. As the brief asks for a 'create a visual representation of something that helps you feel calm and relaxed,' this is what the mind map focuses on, as well as working through a range of outcome that could be made in response to the action/experience/behaviour.

Adult Colouring Book - Research

Looking more specifically at a floral design pattern and how this can be made more unique led me to the colouring book  Enchanted Forest. The below images are examples of the line drawings that are present in this adult colour book. The use of the plant line drawings form the shape of the animals with only certain features of the animal (such as the ears, eyes and legs) being more of a simple outline. This is an interesting way to bring in an illustrative botanical style but with still relating to the brief. 

Relaxing

How each individual relaxes is unique to them. Some of the most common activities are:

- Doing hobbies that you enjoy(e.g. sport or craft)
- Yoga/meditation
- Cleaning
- Spending time with your friends/family

One of the more surprising activities is spending time with your pet. This is a natural activity to do if you own a pet and therefore are not fully aware of the benefits that it can have to your mood. In a study conducted by the food makers Winalot, 55% of dog owners felt more relaxed after spending time with their dog, 44% were more optimistic and another 44% were less worried about everyday problems. Many individuals also associate happy memories and feelings with their pets. 

Adult Colouring Book - Research

The adult colouring book style is something that I am familiar with through my own colouring book interests. Being aware of the existing styles that are currently very popular in this field will allow for a more unique approach to be determined. 

From analysing the images below, it is clear that a woodland/outdoor theme is popular and often features in many of the adult colouring books that are on the market today. Although being in the outdoors is an experience that could be identified as calming and relaxing, there is more likely to be many more submissions to the competition featuring this type of design. 

A more unique style is a floral repeated pattern. Although this can be said to be more feminine, the floral prints are less commonly seen in colouring books. This is a route that I would like to explore further in terms of the different variations that could be produced in this style. 

PAPYRUS Brief Interpretation

The brief is explicit in determining the outcome that is required 'an adult colouring book style line drawing' that is a 'visual representation of something that helps you feel calm and relaxed'. This is a brief that provides the opportunity to explore my current illustrative style in an abstract or literal way. 

As this is a smaller brief with a structure to the outcome, a smaller time scale can be set for completing an outcome to submit to The Art of a Peaceful Mind. The aim is to research and complete this brief within a one to two day period. This allows for sufficient time for various outcomes to be explored and then develop a final design.