Final Year!

Hi all and welcome to the aih2 Blog!


You are all very welcome to your second and final year here at BCFE. There is not doubt that you will find this year even more challenging than the last, with the exciting finale of an exhibition of your work.

Within the context of this unit, we address the practical side of your illustration practice, and this will include building an online presence. Take a few minutes to orient yourself to the blog: you will notice that posts from last years' class can be viewed below, and a list of links can be seen to the right of the posts. Tip: if you bookmark this page, it will be easier to return.  Please feel free to leave comments in the comment box below.  Once you do, I will receive an e mail notice, and will respond within a day or so.

I found the results of the survey very interesting, particularly in regard to progression aims.  Half of you are uncertain whether you'll be applying to third level, and 25% divided equally between a positive and a negative intention. Over half of you expressed an interest in starting your own business, so we will look at the steps you will need to take in order to do so. Surprisingly, only one of you indicated that you did not want to start a business. A bit of uncertainty is indicated in the class response to the question of whether or not you would like to take commissions and/or apply for exhibitions and/or residencies. We will discuss these issues in due course. I'm delighted to see that all of you have computer access, and seem comfortable with social media. We will look into and clarify a few related issues.


We will all start and maintain our own blogs, experimenting with both the expected and the unexpected potential of this format. Through your blog, you will be able to document your journey as a student in your final year of the Illustration HND.  You will also be able to upload digital files and video which will support your writing.

Why blog?

• Personal development - writing, communicating, commitment
• Global exposure - people will find you
• Make connections - from like minded people to business opportunities
• Show your true personality
• Cost effectiveness - free to set up and run with earning potential
• Link your blog to your Etsy page, email address or mobile device
• Stand out from the crowd
 

To begin, look at some blogs related to your area of interest.  For example, google 'art student blogs', comics, illustrators &etc.  Visit 5 blog pages and document them.  Write a list, and then jot down what you found helpful, which styles you responded to, which included interesting and relevant links, which were regularly updated.

Next, set yourself up with a gmail account if you don't already have one. Simply click on the 'More' drop down menu at the top of your (new) gmail page, and start to set up your blog by selecting 'Templates'. Experiment. Play around. Get to know the format. Any questions, write them down and we will discuss next week in class.