Emily John

Human Communication

Emily John is a final year Illustration student whose final project portrays human communication through several different illustrative art forms.

Illustration - BA (Hons)

Give us a brief overview of your project

My final project is about communication. I am analyzing language as a medium for human communication and the complications that arise when we try to translate abstract ideas into concrete language.

Why did you choose this concept?

I love philosophy, I studied it at school, I continue to study it in my free time and it is something that has consistently underpinned the way I perceive and the way in which I manufacture visual responses. For my final project I was given free rein and as a 'Visual communication' student I was drawn to the idea of communication. If I can break down why and how we communicate then I feel that I can tap into some fundamental truth that is ever-present and rings true in all of us.

I want to create work about what unites us, about the odd mystique of being human that hangs over us all and that will always fascinate me. We are a fascinating species but we are forever preoccupied by the distractions of modern life. We have become too intelligent and so we have found a way to regress into primitive ignorance. Instead of facing the truth head-on at the risk of disappointment we hide from our insecurities and redirect our curiosity into celebrity and small talk. I want to know who I am and how that fits into the anthropomorphic world that defines my freedom and my direction.

What processes have you been using?

Pen and ink, laser cutting, laser etching, plaster casting, mould making, screen printing, lino printing, ceramics, slip casting Wood working.

What do you hope to achieve with your project?

I want to create a body of work that I'm proud of. I'm not expecting to find an answer to my question but I want to create work that expresses my current conclusions. I want my work to be high quality and to visually communicate my ideas.

How has your course helped you to prepare for working on your project?

The illustration course seems to be quite industry-focused, so there have been many industry-specific talks that do not shy away from the question of finance. It's good to leave knowing where you stand, how other people generate income and how to create opportunities that are specific to you. I wouldn't call myself an illustrator, but having a creative practice that has been informed by a more commercial structure feels like a much safer way to join the creative industry.