Contemporary Illustration Versus Fine Art - Assignment Example

Contemporary Illustration Verses Fine Art Changes in art and introduction of technology there is need to change and adjust to changes in order to remain competitive. Modernism has given rise to new concepts Illustration defines the nature in which art combines with other academic concept to relay information through designs and drawn items. MAA (2010) defines contemporary illustration as illustration that is represents modern day art. Technology is part of the modern day application in arts and design. The essay will focus on the concept that surrounds illustration with the main focus being on its application in a modern day setup. The focus of the essay will be to compare fine art and contemporary illustration. An illustrator depends majorly on different aspects to draw his or her inspirations and these aspects will form the basis of the essay. Fine art and illustration have some similarities and differences. The essay will explore them with the discussion focusing on the contribution of illustration and its evolution t the modern day application. Illustration is an art that can be traced from the mid 1880s (Grove, 2011, pp2). Themes used by illustrators were majorly based on civil wars and other political influences. This was a pre- photography era where illustration was the only visual strategy in any presentation. In 1920s the print media embraced the art with most using the art as a way of representing a message and advertisement (pp 3). The era was defined by the introduction of photography but most users preferred illustration. The illustrator where more famous during the era as most events and art presentation where enhanced by the concept. The mid 1950 represented the fall of illustration which gave way to photography. The period also was attributed to the fall of magazines and pamphlets and the introduction of television (pp. 4). Grove also identify this period as the beginning of conceptual illustration from the new breed of illustrators. The 21st century gave way to new aspects of illustration with many using the available technology to present their work. Technological advancement where the reason as to why illustration resurfaced. Modernity required every aspect to evolve based on the societal requirement. The resurfacing of illustration ensured that illustrators regain the previous glory that had been outshined by photography and fine art (pp.6). PBS offbook (2013) indicates the revolution of the concept with most sectors appreciating contemporary illustration as much as literature and other written works. Every illustrator would be identified by the nature in which they present their work. Inspiration for each work is based on the changing nature of the environment. The introduction of photograph had provided a more complex environment in which illustrations was appreciated. Different aspects have been introduced in illustration with an aim of Revolutionaries concepts in art. The ancient model was designed t give a representation of books and articles. The pre technological era popularized the practice with many articles using either drawn or painted images to share their ideas. In comparing fine art with illustration one needs to identify the core theme and inspiration of the artist involved. Fine art involves seeking ideas and a concept while illustration portrays a given message with an aim of solving a given equation (Fleishman, 2004). Illustrators deals with emerging issues and identifies the needs for changes. Evaluation of the environment is the major concern of the illustrator as illustration is theme oriented. Fine art may be inspired by given life events with themes varying in nature. The inspiration aspect of illustration has changed over the years with many having to deal with changes in the composition of society. Society calls for inspiration and illustration provides much needed inspiration. The illustrator focuses on different aspects with most of them having to engage in literature as a way of showcasing their ability (Fleishman, 2004). Others dwell on advertisements as a tool of selling their abilities and concepts in that an illustrator designs a given. As an alternative to photography, most themes are real and designers provide a unique design based on the requirement of the subject matter. In literature and children books illustration is deployed to assist the reader to grasp concepts being advocated for by the illustrator. The children books require any given publisher to use more images to elaborate a given idea. The ideas may act as a supplementary tool towards understanding. An illustrator at these point should design their works based on the needs and requirement f the children. Introducing foreign and complex art would mean that the child ether fails to understand or other users may find it inappropriate to be used by children (Dawber, 2009). These concept explain how artist become famous where as illustrators act as secondary presenters and hence their works remain unidentified. The other concept is contemporary illustration is the nature in which different technological aspects are deployed in order to provide a piece of work that is acceptable across board. Motion illustration is tool in which illustrational designs are presented to the audience. It requires a full participation of the digital media with its influence cutting across the target market. Illustration in most cases included drawing and painting, motional art and three dimension representation (Dawber, 2009). The motivators in illustration create a scene where specific details represent a chosen path. It may range from literature and magazine designs to politics and current worldwide event. The inspirational aspect of an illustrator uses his or her abilities to identify opportunities within the community and create themes based on current event rather than the fine art aspect which dwells less on current events and rather focuses on image creation. Artist ensures their unique aspect act as their advertisement tools (Fleishman, 2004). Illustrator uses the inspiration present in a society setup to sell their ides with the actual aspect of an item being presented by the art. The final work of any illustrator usually have a desired audience while fine art dwells majorly on creating an audience based on his or her own expectation. Communication using illustration, enables it penetrates different setup. Illustration is mandated to have a defined purpose and well read message to the audience. The method deployed by the illustrator in most cases relates to the target audience (Dawber, 2009). The audience intends to have deep knowledge of specific concepts and failure to satisfy their demands and requirement will lead to negative response. Tactical application must be deployed by the illustrator. To ensure these concepts are communicated an illustrator uses visual strategy. The strategy calls for clear representation from the illustrator. In a comical illustration the indented purpose of the illustrator is to ensure that the audience laugh and drive their thought towards a given concept. Illustration may also be visually representation of sad and horrific moods. The audience should be able to relate the illustration to the main theme of the presentation. The same concept applies in books and other literature writing. Illustrators focus on specific themes but do not limit themselves an identical nature of presentation. According to Grove (2011, pp. 4) in some cases illustration provides a different meaning from the text. He also indicates how this effect is possible even if the illustrator and author is the same individual. Concept of illustrators gives provides for diversity with culture and historical event being told using the concept. The changing preferences among the users of the art poses a danger to most illustrators as failure to adjust and embrace innovating would result to disappointment among the younger generation of illustrators. Software designers have established programs that improve the general look of an illustration and on the other hand assist illustrators in designing these illustrations with the main focus being the theme being portrayed by the illustrator. This has made illustration easier among many artists with the period of designing a single piece being reduced (Dawber, 2009). The media has been a platform in which most illustrators present their works. In a way it has ensured a mutual benefit effect to both the media and the illustrators. The coverage of any given media either print or digital has seen the illustrator present and showcases their work. On the other hand the media has used illustration to relay their messages and at the same time enhance their presentation. Trough these advancement many aspiring illustrators may find inspiration. The introduction of photography resulted to reduced interest in illustration and hence the use of various platforms to showcase modern day illustration has encouraged more artist and illustrators to embrace the art. To enhance the overall appearance of an illustration, the designers have embraced the use of computer graphics and digital imagery. The concept is to combine technology and ancient illustration methods. Tateosian and Healey (2004) indicate three major applications in computer design that enhance the common pen- and- ink drawing. They include stroke textures; the model simulates the actual appearance of the image. The other concept of digital imagery is the rescaling aspect where objects and items actual sizes are adjusted to give the desired output. The concept is applied while adding details to an existing illustration. The final application of the digital imagery is the digital stippling that utilizes dots and thin lines to give an illustration the perfect presentation. The introduction of technology has seen many of the illustrators perfecting their art. The clear and neat presentation provides the illustrators the perfect opportunity to enhance previous art and at the same time make changes to designs that are less presentable. The aspect has encouraged many inspiring illustrators to embrace these arts with their focus being on the newly introduced technologies. The concept of digital imagery has given rise to animated presentation whose baseline was on illustrations presented by different artist. The wide range of genre in fine art gives it a larger audience as compared to illustrating. Illustration requires commitment and the limited number of individuals performing the illustration based on traditional models is likely to present unique pieces of work but may be outshine by those using technology to change the overall look of their presentations. The market provides for diversity and the illustrator needs to use these differences to perfect their works. Fine art presents the audience with diversity and hence artist using fine art as a way of presenting ideas may find an easier way to penetrate the audience. There is need to embrace illustration in a more modernised manner and utilise the available resources and technology to present the perfect piece of work to the desired audience. Presentation acts as a tool to judge the overall concepts of an illustrator (Fleishman, 2004). Criticism at this stage is utilised effectively as a means of improving future designs. The digital designs play part in improving the weak ends of the presentation and offer an illustrator a chance to present freshly the illustrated arts. In conclusion illustration has evolved and has regain the population it enjoyed during the pre- photography era. At this age and time technology has enhance the deigning and presentation illustrator. The pre photography age saw many deploying the use of pen- and-ink models to present their work. It is evident on how fine art is popular among the audience with majority choosing it over illustration. This is due to the fact that fine art has many genres. The notion is really changing as new strategies including marketing are using illustrations to present their work and pass their massages to the audience. Use of illustration in marketing is aimed at offering either a comic effect or present a unique aspect which photography fails to achieve. Fine art may be embraced in a wider audience but illustration has achieved in drawing audience from various background and specific satisfactions. Illustration just like any other art may be used as a source of income. One may present their work to the market for either auctioning or usage by other departments including the media, in return the illustrator received revenue. This shows that popularity among the illustrators depend majorly on how they appreciated and present their piece of work. Reference Dawber, M. (2009) .Big Book of Contemporary Illustration. Liverpool: Batsford Fleishman, M. ( 2004). Exploring illustration. Ohio: Edison community college Grove, J. (2011). Evaluating illustration aesthetically: points for consideration for those to the field. Retrieved from < http://www.jaleengrove.com/papers/Grove_Evaluating_Illo.pdf.> MAA. (2010). The Art Of Contemporary Illustration. Retrieved from PBS offbook. ( 201314 February).The Art of Illustration.(you tube) Retrieved from Tateosian, L. G., Healey, C. G.,( 2004). NPR: Art Enhancing Computer Graphics. Retrieved from Read More