ITAP #2

Through the ‘visual practice’ of observation, collecting, studying and exploring, illustration can contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject.

Observation is an important part of the research process. Whether it’s everyday observation, or observing another practitioners work, it is a key process to enable you to progress with a project. Observational drawing provides insight into a specific subject, time or place, and it doesn’t just have to be drawing, but any form of image making. It is a form of primary research, and therefore allows you to get a firsthand look into your chosen subject. This can be said for collecting items too. An object can mean many different things for different people, and by documenting these results you can get a better understanding of the subject you’re researching. Studying and exploring are a mixture of primary and secondary research. You can study your subject further by referencing books or websites, but also by experimenting with different media and doing visual studies. This is continued by exploring different mediums and techniques. All of these visual practices enable you to get a deeper understanding of the subject you’re researching because you’re constantly investigating and exploring each area in detail, and therefore learning more about that specific subject as you go along.

An understanding and knowledge of ‘an audience’ can enhance and focus the communication

When communicating any message the intended audience has to be pre-determined and researched otherwise the communication will not have any focus. An understanding and knowledge of this audience is essential, otherwise the message will fail to come across. This is especially relevant in advertising, for example, if you’re trying to advertise a car to a 20 to 40 year old male demographic, you wouldn’t create an advertisement that appeals more to 6 year old girls because then the advert would have failed to communicate its message properly. If you’re trying to convey a message then you must first work out who you want to convey it to, and then research that particular audience to find out the best way to get that message across. Understanding the audience can radically change the outcome of a piece of work as it starts to have more of a purpose. By understanding how that particular audience thinks, acts, and lives you can communicate more successfully than if you hadn’t thought about the audience at all. People prefer to be able to relate to things, if they can’t relate to it then chances are they’ll ignore it. I do believe that the communication of a piece of work can be enhanced and focused by relating to a target audience.