― Helen Keller
One of my housemates gave me this quote earlier in the week. I think it describes IP perfectly. Some days you work and work. Others you fall backwards or change direction... and sometimes you just seem to stand still. Helen Keller seemed to make it out okay in the end so I'm feeling pretty good myself.
What I did:
- Sketching (2 hrs)
- Practicing (1.5 hr)
- Brainstorming (1 hr)
- Proposal (1.5 hr)
- Research (2 hrs)
- Timeline (1 hr)
- Ann Arbor Public Library (3 hrs)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
This week I hit a brick wall (see critique response) and spent a lot of time putting the little bits of ideas (especially concerning making anatomy playful) in my sketchbook. Instead of writing them out, I drew. I used pens and markers and ink of all colors to try and flesh some thoughts out. This gave me some interesting visuals for critique.
In addition to my sketchbook, I drew in photoshop using my bamboo tablet. I have never done digital painting or drawing before so I thought I should practice, in case my project decided to take that turn.
I did a lot of research on Wendesday to delve more into what it means for anatomy to converge with children. I found a really great interview with Jason Freeny here showed me that kids aren't as afraid of guts as most would assume. I also discovered a web page here that offered some examples of children's anatomy books. I followed some of the links to better understand the diversity of styles and directions that I can take my book.
Most importantly this week, I decided on a more concrete direction of my project: an anatomical children's book. Writing my proposal (see previous post) was a good way to solidify my ideas and get a hold of how this project will take shape. The timeline was something I had a hard time on, so Hannah gave me a prompt to rewrite it in a more specific way.
Here is that timeline:
Week of October 17: Research children's books at the Ann Arbor Public Library. Speak with Laura Pershin Raynor, the children's librarian there. Decide on target audience.
Week of October 24: Create outline and start writing the book dialogue/story.
Week of October 31: Research what imagery people think of when they hear the dialogue. Re-create these images.
Week of November 7: Create a storyboard for the whole book. Research bone facts that could be included.
Week of November 14: Solidify written part of the story.
November 21: Grant Proposal Due
Week of November 21: Create some characters and possible scenes for story. Explore 10 different ways of rendering the visuals.
Week of November 28: Explore 10 more different ways of rendering the visuals. Expand upon the most successful five visual styles.
December 5: Turn in materials for IP faculty consultations
Week of December 5: Get feedback from kids regarding how effective/interesting the story sounds and which visuals they connect to the best.
December 14/15: IP Faculty Consultations
Winter break: Work on written thesis and product testing.
January 4/5: Written thesis due.
Week of January 9: Illustrate
Week of January 16: Explore different materials and bindings for book. Get feedback on which versions are most successful.
Week of January 23: Test and explore different color schemes and layout designs.
Week of January 30: Make 10 different combinations of color/layout/material/style. Research to see which is the most successful.
Week of February 6: Fabricate a rough copy.
Week of February 13: Test book at UM Children's Hospital, Burns Elementary, Ann Arbor Public Library and with various people and their children.
Week of February 20: Make revisions.
Week of February 27: Second round of testing.
Week of March 5: Make revisions.
Week of March 12: Fabricate the final copy.
Week of March 19: Open week for project tweaking and freaking out.
Week of March 26: Document project with photography.
Week of April 2: Relax.
April 2/3: Turn in project to gallery installers.
Week of April 9: Celebrate my birthday and work on final written thesis.
Week of April 16: Written thesis.
April 22: Written thesis due.
Now that my head was spinning from the realization of the the size of this project, I felt the need to get started. I headed to the Ann Arbor Public Library to seek out some children's books and maybe even talk to Laura Pershin Raynor, the children's librarian and storyteller there. She was a wonderful help by recommending children's books based in anatomy and ones known for beautiful illustrations and great storytelling. I spent a lot of time browsing the science and body sections in the children's portion of the library. I was disappointed that the body books were all fact books with the exception of The Magic School Bus series. Being that I want to make my book an actual story, I looked at books that were awarded for storytelling. The librarian also suggested some books that she thought connected with the kids as well as the parents. After reading, skimming and checking out some books, I feel more prepared to take on this project.
What's Next:
This weekend I will read the rest of the books I checked out and take notes about what features work and what doesn't work. From there I will create my target age group and begin writing the dialogue.
One of my housemates gave me this quote earlier in the week. I think it describes IP perfectly. Some days you work and work. Others you fall backwards or change direction... and sometimes you just seem to stand still. Helen Keller seemed to make it out okay in the end so I'm feeling pretty good myself.
What I did:
- Sketching (2 hrs)
- Practicing (1.5 hr)
- Brainstorming (1 hr)
- Proposal (1.5 hr)
- Research (2 hrs)
- Timeline (1 hr)
- Ann Arbor Public Library (3 hrs)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
This week I hit a brick wall (see critique response) and spent a lot of time putting the little bits of ideas (especially concerning making anatomy playful) in my sketchbook. Instead of writing them out, I drew. I used pens and markers and ink of all colors to try and flesh some thoughts out. This gave me some interesting visuals for critique.
In addition to my sketchbook, I drew in photoshop using my bamboo tablet. I have never done digital painting or drawing before so I thought I should practice, in case my project decided to take that turn.
I did a lot of research on Wendesday to delve more into what it means for anatomy to converge with children. I found a really great interview with Jason Freeny here showed me that kids aren't as afraid of guts as most would assume. I also discovered a web page here that offered some examples of children's anatomy books. I followed some of the links to better understand the diversity of styles and directions that I can take my book.
Most importantly this week, I decided on a more concrete direction of my project: an anatomical children's book. Writing my proposal (see previous post) was a good way to solidify my ideas and get a hold of how this project will take shape. The timeline was something I had a hard time on, so Hannah gave me a prompt to rewrite it in a more specific way.
Here is that timeline:
Week of October 17: Research children's books at the Ann Arbor Public Library. Speak with Laura Pershin Raynor, the children's librarian there. Decide on target audience.
Week of October 24: Create outline and start writing the book dialogue/story.
Week of October 31: Research what imagery people think of when they hear the dialogue. Re-create these images.
Week of November 7: Create a storyboard for the whole book. Research bone facts that could be included.
Week of November 14: Solidify written part of the story.
November 21: Grant Proposal Due
Week of November 21: Create some characters and possible scenes for story. Explore 10 different ways of rendering the visuals.
Week of November 28: Explore 10 more different ways of rendering the visuals. Expand upon the most successful five visual styles.
December 5: Turn in materials for IP faculty consultations
Week of December 5: Get feedback from kids regarding how effective/interesting the story sounds and which visuals they connect to the best.
December 14/15: IP Faculty Consultations
Winter break: Work on written thesis and product testing.
January 4/5: Written thesis due.
Week of January 9: Illustrate
Week of January 16: Explore different materials and bindings for book. Get feedback on which versions are most successful.
Week of January 23: Test and explore different color schemes and layout designs.
Week of January 30: Make 10 different combinations of color/layout/material/style. Research to see which is the most successful.
Week of February 6: Fabricate a rough copy.
Week of February 13: Test book at UM Children's Hospital, Burns Elementary, Ann Arbor Public Library and with various people and their children.
Week of February 20: Make revisions.
Week of February 27: Second round of testing.
Week of March 5: Make revisions.
Week of March 12: Fabricate the final copy.
Week of March 19: Open week for project tweaking and freaking out.
Week of March 26: Document project with photography.
Week of April 2: Relax.
April 2/3: Turn in project to gallery installers.
Week of April 9: Celebrate my birthday and work on final written thesis.
Week of April 16: Written thesis.
April 22: Written thesis due.
Now that my head was spinning from the realization of the the size of this project, I felt the need to get started. I headed to the Ann Arbor Public Library to seek out some children's books and maybe even talk to Laura Pershin Raynor, the children's librarian and storyteller there. She was a wonderful help by recommending children's books based in anatomy and ones known for beautiful illustrations and great storytelling. I spent a lot of time browsing the science and body sections in the children's portion of the library. I was disappointed that the body books were all fact books with the exception of The Magic School Bus series. Being that I want to make my book an actual story, I looked at books that were awarded for storytelling. The librarian also suggested some books that she thought connected with the kids as well as the parents. After reading, skimming and checking out some books, I feel more prepared to take on this project.
 |
| although "Time Flies" by Eric Rochman has no words, the pictures are beautiful |
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| "Flotsam" by David Wiesner. Soooo whimsical. |
 |
| a beautiful quote by Simm's Taback, author of "Joseph had a Little Overcoat" |
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| Taback's book is very successful at engaging the reader |
 |
| Its like the pigeon is conversing with the child. How cool! "Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus" by Mo Willems |
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| "Tops & Bottoms" by Janet Stevens. Soo clever. It even opens from top to bottom. |
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| Just a few of the books I ransacked off the shelf |
What's Next:
This weekend I will read the rest of the books I checked out and take notes about what features work and what doesn't work. From there I will create my target age group and begin writing the dialogue.
Kyla,
ReplyDeleteYour energy and enthusiasm for your project is starting to shine! This sounds like a good week. And yes, it's NEVER straightforward.
You've started with some great research that's genuinely inspiring for you. Great. Hopefully you will continue to be in conversation with children's librarians (Laura and perhaps others), and also school librarians and teachers of kids in the target age group. Which brings up a question I had-- Did you mention your target age group? It would be invaluable for you to do some research (through reading and conversations with relevant professional) about the particular learning/developmental issues/task for kids in your general age range. What are they working on in terms of language, their understanding of the natural world, their bodies? Who knows yet how any of this understanding might translate or find its way into your work, but this is the time to explore this terrain before you get invested in one particular approach or direction, however playful and whimsical you know you want the outcome to be. I think continuing to spend time in the children's section of libraries is a great idea. Hatcher has a big collection, no? Also, there's an important national organization for Children's Book Illustrators and Writers: http://www.scbwi.org/ They also have regional gatherings and conferences.
Keep up the work--
Stephanie