Modern Illustrators Identity Crisis

To: From: Subject: Date: V. Turner, SICL 308 B. Johnson The Forming Identity Crisis in the field of Illustration March 1st, 2010

The drive behind this memo is to present my findings about the changing landscape for illustrators both academically and career wise through the publication of a white paper intended for the eyes of fellow illustrators and artists alike.

Overview
I hope to find in my research a clear sense of direction as to where I and others like me will be able to grow in the changing field of graphic arts. In my brief studies about such topics Ive found evidence of a shifting landscape that focuses on curriculum once reserved for graphic designers now being applied to illustrators to create a dually educated illustrator who can not only synthesize concepts but organize them through design as well. I feel that as one of the few purely illustration focused artists at this university that I possess an advantage of being bias in my pursuit towards my degree in relation to graphic design and illustration hybrids. Because of this, I feel that I am qualified to view the prospective fields of what is to be gained from graphic design and exploration as to why this trend is growing in popularity.

Challenges
One of the foremost problems Im going to have to deal with is resources. Next to no illustrators have come to bat to display the advantages of being just strictly an illustrator, but adversely more than a few designers and hybrids have come to publications flaunting their newfound sense of motivation and direction eager to show the public the changing atmosphere. The problem will be finding resources that give a contrast to the popular scope and provide an interesting clash of viewpoints. I plan to overcome this by doing something that I hate most: forum diving. Illustrators thrive through online publication and discussion with their fans, peers, and superiors. It is hard to find a more formal approach, but through writing a white paper on the subject I hope to join the few (if any) compilers of information that has been sledged into little comments and quips in a comment box. Theyre not all just jargon and fanatical nonsense, some more serious artists and firms do present a more serious element to their publications, but it is still: in a forum, on a blog, under a whimsical domain name.

There is one particular periodical known as Eye which publishes work on the subject which will provide me the professionalism I need for the project. Also in reading it I have discovered the names of some illustration-only magazines like Vroom which may yield the fighting spirit Im looking for. I plan on going on a Springfield bookstore hunt to find these previously unheard-of-to-me publications so that the focus of my white paper may remain pure in focus: to generate answers to questions about illustrations present and future prominence as an art form in contrast to the popular trend.

Closing Thought
I will be formatting this paper APA style as is the collegiate standard and currently cross my fingers hoping to obtain at least one interview with a more seasoned attitude. I would ask that you please approve this topic because as of recent weeks I have been more and more concerned about the future of my art form and what it means to be an illustrator in a culture that wants more. Im not only seeking answers that others may have, but for myself as well; because I finally hope to clear my head of the jitters and sparks of doubt towards my ability as an artist that have been clouding my judgment for my future. Thank you, and have a pleasant day.

Bibliography
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This website features posts from the top illustrators and concept artists in today's field who post their work not only for critique from the public, but to give insight to their creative processes.

Farrelly, L. (2009, 08 10). Fired Up and Hired. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 5660.
MTV, the television station with the most custom illustrated work, may or may not continue its efforts to find independent illustrators and champion them for the sake of their own unique look .

Hanks, R. (2009, 08 10). Artwork and Play. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 44-48.
An insightful review of the illustration icon Brian Knight's work in concept illustrations for the replica modeling companies in the 50's-70's.

Hare, S. (2009, 08 10). Drawn Into Conversation. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 60-70.
Large corporate brands are starting to use illustration as a tool to promote their 'natural', 'honest', and 'popular' advertising schemes by using older more analog techniques.

Heller, S. (2009, 08 10). Storytelling Giant. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 48-56.
Christoph Niemann, the champion of blog to book illustration, gives a review of his own design processes for those looking to achieve a different approach to modern art.

Media Temple. (2010, 03 3). Drawn! Illustration and Cartoon Art. Retrieved 03 3, 2010, from Drawn!: http://drawn.ca/
This website is a compilation of hand done and digital illustrations alike published by their creators to inform the public of an issue on their own informative agenda; ranging from biographies to tutorials.

Shaughnessy, A. (2009, 08 10). The Graphic Designer As An Illustrator. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 32-34.
A look at 'design with a made image' from various artists who've become the hybrids of the graphic design and illustration universe now making a new standard for those wanting to get involved.

Walters, J. L. (2009, 08 10). The Ordlerly Chaos of James Joyce. Eye; The International Review of Graphic Design , pp. 70-00.
A look at the rise to fame of one graphic designer turned illustrator named James Joyce and how he used menial flyers to make his move in transition.