The Illustrated Self: initial ideas + further development

I found it hard thinking of an idea for this project. Whilst I understand the importance of say, time management or visiting the library, I wanted to make ideas and illustrations that might be a bit different to what everyone else has thought or learned about.

My first idea was to create a booklet of things I want to learn, but I suppose that does not suggest anything about what I have learned this year.

My next two ideas serve as instructions or tips, things to "make time for" and "things to remember". From the start, as it is an open project, I wanted to make a book or zine of sorts and I feel that this would suit it well, particularly as why I like making books is that they have more 'purpose'.

Although it's hard to think of ideas that are too different from what others have also learned, I figured I could try and illustrate basic concepts in as unique a way I could muster.

Still, I thought it would be a risk to add something like "enter the void" (which could be used as a metaphor for the imagination!) but with tutor advice I decided to go ahead and develop it.

A lot of what I've been thinking about in PPP in regards to what I want to do is to start making or thinking differently, and so I started with the small step of using a dip pen for the first time!

I'm fond of the lettering results of a thick nib, but am also interested in using mechanised type. I think using a readymade font might add a nice contrast of neatness to the messy drawings.

I liked the idea of creating formal, complex images but was struggling to find a way to unify all of the words under this idea. Instead I went the complete opposite way creating somewhat bizarre simple character based images. Perhaps this was for lack of time, or to suit the lo-fi aesthetic I've been thinking about. Really, I wanted to have fun and be more playful with my imagery. One of my points is that I have drawn too many sad things this year!