Don't know very much... :$

[poethewolf]

Hi!

I'm in Year 11 this year and I'm doing Vis. Comm (obviously ).

I don't know very much about things like isometric drawings and so on, but I do have an interest in art, I like things like Photoshopping and dreaming up ideas for images and stuff. I've been practicing drawing from observation and colouring in better, but unfortunately I still don't think I'm very good.

I just wanted to ask (even though this probably sounds stupid) if you have to be a really good natural drawer/artist to do well in this subject? Or is an interest in it and wanting to learn enough? Thinking about paraline drawings etc scares the crap out of me, but I do want to do the subject simply because I'm interested in this sort of thing. I'm just not that great at it... :buck2:

Thank you!

[transgression]

I came into VCD out of interest and had no idea about conventions, drawing systems, design processes and so forth. And actually, I used to Photoshop a lot. I was never the strongest drawer, but persisted in trying my best. I can see that you have been practicing so just keep at it and you're bound to improve. I learned that having a fantastic final presentation does not guarantee you success in the subject. The process of improving, learning and manipulating a design you have created into what the client wants is what counts. Sure, you may be the best drawer but if you don't follow this, you won't get anywhere.

Having said that, being a good drawer does help. You are able to (more easily) illustrate what you wish to achieve through your designs. Keep in mind that this is not always the case; you are also able to illustrate your aims through annotating, for example. Being a good drawer is not the only component needed to succeed in VCD.

Half of the exam is based on theory work. Analysing visual communication (images, ads, etc) is a very important aspect in VCD. Understanding professional practice and knowing the design process is just as important. There are always exam questions based on these things at the end of the year. The written part of VCD is generally left out by many student as they might not deem it "as important" than designing. If you feel that you're not strong in the design aspect, make sure you make it up with the theory work.

Just keep practicing your rendering, tonal elements, and your drawing structure. Having an interest in VCD can help you achieve great designs and ultimately, a good study score. Also, create a poster of 3D paraline, 3D Perspectives. List the subheadings (oblique, isometric, planometic, two point perspective, one point perspective, 3rd angle projection) and add examples of each. This really helped me towards exam time.

Reading through the pinned threads might also help you. Feel free to ask if you have any questions (would be glad to help where I can).

Good luck

[misskaraleah]

Well in answer to your question, i think you need both interest and drawing skills to ultimately suceed in VCD.

When i started, i didnt really care about paraline drawing systems or third angle orthogonal, but as you progress through the subject, you start to gain a reall appreciation of the techniques (well i did anyway).

I felt that with VCD, you have to try and do the best you can because scaling is going to impact on your final result regardless.

In having said that, I think that if you are genuinly interested in something, then you will put more effort and inturn work harder to achieve your best result.

As trangression stated, the theory aspect of VCD is HUGE, and i think more important at times that general drawing! However, if you try your best -regardless of whether you are great at drawing- you shoudl do fine.

And if you feel you need a bit more help, just let me know and i'll see what i can do.

 

[poethewolf]

Thank you both very much for your replies and offers of help! I appreciate your friendliness a lot.

I feel a lot better about the subject because of what you have told me, and also because my teacher is really good (that's always a reassuring thing!  ). So far we've just started to talk about paraline drawings, and are working on some oblique drawing, just shapes and stuff.

I've had a look at the pinned threads and they're great! I can tell that they're really going to help me out along the road.

Thank you again!

[misskaraleah]

Thank you both very much for your replies and offers of help! I appreciate your friendliness a lot.

I feel a lot better about the subject because of what you have told me, and also because my teacher is really good (that's always a reassuring thing!  ). So far we've just started to talk about paraline drawings, and are working on some oblique drawing, just shapes and stuff.

I've had a look at the pinned threads and they're great! I can tell that they're really going to help me out along the road.

Thank you again!

By the way, poethewolf  what school are you attending?