Illustration: A Theoretical & Contextual Perspective by Alan Male

A book from the library that could inform/tie in with the portion of my research that investigates meaning in the visual arts. In this case, illustration specifically. However I'm not sure if this is too specific, and if it would be more fitting for PPP.

"Illustration: a definition

Applied imagery; a 'working art' that visually communicates context to audience"

Chapter 1 - Education

pg 14. 'Successful, forward-thinking illustrators need to be educated, socially and culturally aware communicators utilising a breadth of intellectual and practical skills'

pg 16. Developing the brief - 'The project should be an example of one of the following: either a professional practice area of context or a question that needs answering, creating a need to research and present new knowledge'

The Rationale - why are you undertaking this task;
The Aim - what is it you are going to do?
And;
The Objectives - how you intend to proceed; a clear list of methodologies to be employed.

pg 19. 'Illustration influences the way we are informed and educated, what we buy and how we are persuaded to do things. It gives us opinion and comment. It provides us with entertainment and tells stories'

pg 22. 'Having an understanding of the audience is essential for the successful transfer of messages'

Nigel Owen sketchbook pages

'reveal the creative and conceptual processes..and notes related to

solving problems of visual communication'

pg 24. 'The pursuit of knowledge and information is a prerequisite to eminent, professional illustration practice'

pg 37. Drawing - 'Drawing is the principal faculty of illustration. It is the foundation on which visual imagery is built. It forms the basis of all styles of illustration, from representational realism to avant-garde abstraction. Every illustration has to be conceived, designed and rendered to completion and drawing plays a part in all of this.

Drawing also informs the illustrators' identity and develops and establishes one's personal iconography. 

'We draw to understand our subject matter' James McMullin, New York, Sept 1996

Chapter 3 - The role of illustration

pg 88. 'Generally speaking, illustration is a great instructional medium. Information can be ingested more readily when conveyed visually'

pg 100. Illustration is embedded in the fields of anthropology and archaeology..'The essence of this work is collaboration between experts and the illustrator; a direct interface between the subject discipline and visual arts practice'

 Paul Bowman's illustration/visual art on the Balkan conflict

pg 116. The Illustrator as Scientist and Cultural Historian
'The status of the commercial art practitioner has increased in recent years with seemingly more responsibility for context and content'

'Professional and student illustrators undertaking research, commissioned and/or given project work will often be required to engage with specialist subject matter'

pg 117. 'The best art and design undergraduate education encourages the acquisition of appropriate and transferrable skills that are not only practical, but intellectual and knowledge based; the command of written and oral language, presentation and research'