Crit 001: "Culture Clash"

ARTICLE: Adjusting to a new work environment is the greatest challenge.

So, I recently got a new job and "detach" was rolling around in my brain. I thought about how I am detaching myself from one job, where I was relatively comfortable: got along with everyone, knew how to do the tasks--to a new job where I know nothing. To me, it was like leaving a finished puzzle which took so long to figure out, and moving to an unfinished pile of pieces.

I found this article (btw I'm big into news so I think I want to do editorial illustrations) and it talked about how adjusting to the culture of your new job is the most difficult for employees. I thought about the puzzle analogy again and wanted to show the separation between the existing staff and the newbie, yet the hope that they will join together eventually.

Q:
1. Should a top person be female so it doesn't look like a gender issue, or did that not even cross your mind?

2. Is the v-neck top too low cut or is that just me looking at it for too long?

3. Should the new girl have hair or would that be distracting?

Thanks! -Lj

(8/29/08) Thanks for comments! Revised illo found HERE.

Posting

Hello, creatives!

I'm super busy with school starting up, so I haven't made anything in a while. If you're making pieces and are ready to post, feel free. Perhaps add a question or two that you're mulling over so we know exactly what you'd like us to pinpoint. I look forward to getting the ball rolling!

-Lindsay J.

Introduction: Elizabeth

Hello new virtual friends! I'm Elizabeth Metz from Cincinnati. (Nikki, looks like we're kind of neighbors, huh?) My full-time day job finds me coordinating programs in a university office of community service. My medium of choice when illustrating (evenings, weekends... whenever I can find time AND energy at the same time) is pastel on textured paper. I'm also partial to a good old-fashioned pencil sketch now and then.

I've had a very small amount of professional experience in illustration but I've got a long way to go. I've done a handful of postcard mailings in the past year and am currently working on a bigger, belated "introduction to Elizabeth" package for a targeted group of art directors, so I'm sure I'll be looking for some feedback on the pieces that will be a part of that. I participate in Illustration Friday a few times a month, which is where a lot of my recent work has come from. I LOVE the inspiration and the camaraderie of IF, but I look forward to the honest criticisms (and subsequent learning and development) that a critique group could provide.

Besides all that, I love being outside, watching baseball, fresh produce and other delicious treats, making lists, exploring and impacting my community, libraries (especially the children's and the cooking sections), garage sales, public transportation, and quoting my favorite movies and TV shows instead of coming up with my own witticisms.

Glad to be here!

Introduction

My name is Nikki Shoemaker. I am the graphic designer for a library system in  Southwest, Ohio by day and I illustrate by night and weekends. I graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration. I am finishing up my first book now. It should go the printer any day... More on that later!

I am riding the wave of this book... It has inspired me to create a new portfolio which I am working on now. I wanted to join a critque group to get feedback on the pieces I may want to include in my new portfolio. Critques were very hard in college, and you get used to people giving you serious opinions of your work. I have been looking for that for a while without finding it. I actually like it more when people give me their honest opinion. Do you ever find yourself tired of hearing you're great all the time? I am hoping this group will help sort out the kinks in my work!

I try to keep up with Illustration Friday, but I have been super busy lately with murals.... 

Things are slowing down and I am focused on the portfolio work... 

Can't wait to share!!!!

About: Lindsay J.

To all members:
Just getting the ball rolling. Let's introduce ourselves to each other: day job, interests, artistic style, yada yada, and what you're looking to get out of this group.

About me:

By day I'm a technology teacher at an elementary school in Chicago. By night, a lazy bum who tries to draw when she gets inspired. Most of my work starts from prompts found at Illustration Friday or Inspire me Thursday. Since March I have sent out two rounds of promo postcards to small magazines and newspapers (to no avail. Boo.) My style is simple and colorful. I like to make people laugh with my art and get them to make a personal connection. Out of the group, I'd like feedback about the clarity of the message. Sometimes I make connections that my husband thinks are too obscure, so I'd like to make sure my art is to the point as possible. My favorite quote is "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."

Your turn. Tell us about you.

The Illustration Critique Group

Aspiring to become a professional illustrator? Let's start a critique group. The purpose would be to give constructive feedback, to push each other to become better, to encourage each other, and share ideas for methods and self promotion. Read here to find out more about what a critique group does.

Email lindsay.illustration@gmail.com if you're interested in joining.