Re: VirtualP's Cartoonist Career Goals - June 24 2010

by Simon Lake on Sat 26 Jun - 14:00

Ten would be nice lol. Hey this thread is catching up to "All my own shirking" by Rob Smith.

by virtualpsycho on Sat 26 Jun - 14:12

Wuhooo!

Another quick question, what is the best place in your opinion to source the fundamental skills every visual art should possess or need?

by Simon Lake on Sat 26 Jun - 14:28

That's not a quick question at all Virtual. But I shall try to answer it nevertheless. At the risk of sounding cliché, I would say that would be somewhere in your mind.

by virtualpsycho on Sat 26 Jun - 15:37

Sorry yeah just realised my own laziness within the question. Cheers for responding....

The result of asking questions during the early hours of the night....

by Simon Lake on Sun 27 Jun - 0:59

It's really subjective. Gary Lawson had a way of creating bizarre situations with what was fundamentally basic imagery. His style is and his entire approach to the game is to be applauded but surely not unsurpassed?

by Leah-Admin on Mon 28 Jun - 4:24

Check this out, very useful article on this topic, job related so should have the answers you seek.

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More useful info here if you page down
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They agree with Simon that the 'mind' is the most important tool.

"Tools
Examples of graphic design made on a computer, setting out various possibilities for a Wikimedia Commons project icon.

The mind may be the most important graphic design tool. Aside from technology, graphic design requires judgment and creativity. Critical, observational, quantitative and analytic thinking are required for design layouts and rendering. If the executor is merely following a solution (e.g. sketch, script or instructions) provided by another designer (such as an art director), then the executor is not usually considered the designer.

The method of presentation (e.g. arrangement, style, medium) may be equally important to the design. The layout is produced using external traditional or digital image editing tools. The appropriate development and presentation tools can substantially change how an audience perceives a project.

In the mid 1980s, the arrival of desktop publishing and graphic art software applications introduced a generation of designers to computer image manipulation and creation that had previously been manually executed. Computer graphic design enabled designers to instantly see the effects of layout or typographic changes, and to simulate the effects of traditional media without requiring a lot of space. However, traditional tools such as pencils or markers are useful even when computers are used for finalization; a designer or art director may hand sketch numerous concepts as part of the creative process. Some of these sketches may even be shown to a client for early stage approval, before the designer develops the idea further using a computer and graphic design software tools.

Computers are considered an indispensable tool in the graphic design industry. Computers and software applications are generally seen by creative professionals as more effective production tools than traditional methods. However, some designers continue to use manual and traditional tools for production, such as Milton Glaser.

New ideas can come by way of experimenting with tools and methods. Some designers explore ideas using pencil and paper to avoid creating within the limits of whatever computer fonts, clipart, stock photos, or rendering filters (e.g. Kai's Power Tools) are available on any particular configuration. Others use many different mark-making tools and resources from computers to sticks and mud as a means of inspiring creativity. One of the key features of graphic design is that it makes a tool out of appropriate image selection in order to convey meaning.[12]"

by virtualpsycho on Mon 28 Jun - 5:09

Cheers for info, i will have a look now.

Nice one.

by virtualpsycho on Mon 28 Jun - 10:15

Info really cleared things up for me. Thank you.

by Simon Lake on Mon 28 Jun - 14:50

I'm glad it did for you Virtual, because I'm still a bit confused. It doesn't matter. Shocked

by virtualpsycho on Mon 28 Jun - 15:54

From what you have given me I can conclude that its all gut instinct.....

by Simon Lake on Mon 28 Jun - 19:17

There is no conclusion as such, Virtual.

by virtualpsycho on Mon 28 Jun - 22:42

I have my own conclusion......

by virtualpsycho on Wed 7 Jul - 14:41

Any advice regarding becoming a syndicate cartoonist?

Mainly I am concerned about whether or not I should focus on single panel cartoons or cartoon strips for the paper and such....

Thank you.

Note: Not interested in doing comics I dont enjoy them at all.

by Simon Lake on Wed 7 Jul - 15:36

Rob would know more than me about that, but here's the most well known one....
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by virtualpsycho on Wed 7 Jul - 16:34

Cheers am looking into it now.

Also whats the difference between daily cartoon strips and sundays ones?

Cheers.