These are the groups I have been approved onto so far but I am waiting for approval for at least another five groups relevant to me.
This is the link to the post I wrote for my Linkedin profile:
AUTHENTICITY: MEDIUM OR MORALS?
Many would argue that imagery crafted by hand has a lot more personality, emotion and individuality embedded within it and the interference of technology and digital image making processes can often diminish the ‘human’ element of the creative process. There is something about analogue image making processes that feels more honest and genuine. Being able to recognise that another human being has put their time and effort into crafting something for a certain purpose creates a sense of trust towards the subject.
This concept is something that has definitely been latched on to in marketing and advertising for big name companies and it’s frustrating to think that these traditional creative processes are being used to con people to some extent into thinking that the connotations of their aesthetics has a relevance to the values and ethos of their brand.
Just think, if the packaging for your fast food meal appears to have been crafted by hand, maybe a rustic design that has been imperfectly printed or stamped, maybe it has a matte texture to resemble a paper bag someone would put their lovingly made packed lunch inside, it would be fair to say that you would be far more likely to trust the contents than you would if it was presented to you in a clinical, glossy white box with a garish logo printed on it. It’s human nature.
This analogy stemmed from an article I recently read by Silas Amos about authenticity and fast food pretenders. It’s an interesting read and offers a lot of thoughts on what design choices fast food chains are making in an effort to win the trust of the consumer through the aesthetics they present to them. He concludes by saying that within design, authenticity is most commonly used as a trick which I am sad to say I agree with. Not only is it sad because brands are betraying the trust of their audience (an occurrence that is all too common) but also because it sparks cynicism towards others. An issue then arises for creative practitioners who do offer 'genuine' products and put their soul into their creative process - what do we do to show that what we make is truly authentic?
In relation to my practice, my creative process always begins with a pen or pencil and I draw by hand before I go anywhere near a computer mouse or drawing tablet. I put all my thought and emotion towards the subject into the physical process of drawing and always try to ensure that the analogue processes I use in the development of my work are evident in the final outcome because to me, that’s what makes my imagery feel true to myself and my thoughts. I like to think of it in the same way as how speaking to someone face to face in contrast to sending a text where messages are filtered and there isn’t the same level of personal interaction for either party. However, the line between digital and analogue media is becoming increasingly undefinable and it is arguable that a handmade aesthetic is now reachable through digital image making processes. For these reasons, I am doubtful that authenticity can be solely pinned on the physical processes of how artwork is created.
This leads me back to the idea of analogue media being used to show the ‘human’ element of the design process. The question is what really makes us human? It’s not what we physically use to communicate our thoughts and ideas with the rest of the world, but its where those thoughts and ideas stem from. It’s a personal thing, it’s who you are, how you conduct yourself, and its having your own concept of what is right and wrong. Personally, if I am putting my name to something, the purpose of it has to resonate with me and it must be something I believe in and trust. In contrast to the deceptive design for big name companies, I like to think that my intentions are for the good of others and not purely for the good of my bank balance. Maybe this is naïve of me to say at this early stage on my journey as an illustrator but my morals are integral to the work I produce and I think that strong personal and professional principles are what sets the truly authentic apart from the rest.
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