Let me turn the clock back to September 1970. I have just switched secondary schools. Now I am at Beverley Grammar School in Beverley, East Yorkshire. I am there to pursue G.C.E. Advanced level courses in Art, English and Geography.
My Art teacher is Mr Doyle. There are just eight boys in the A level Art class and I am the only new boy. Mr Doyle sets us a task from an old A level practical paper. We have to design an original book cover for "Around the World in Eighty Days".
A hush of concentration and patient artistic endeavour fills the Art room. Mr Doyle lets us get on with things. At the end of the afternoon I have brought my idea to fruition. There's a globe spinning in space and there's a banner curling round it. See the top image.
I finish carefully writing the author's name at the bottom of the design and look at what I have done. I am quite proud of what I believe is the end result. One last blow of warm breath and there it is done. I take it up to Mr Doyle's desk feeling quite proud of myself.
Mr Doyle surveys my effort then looks up over the golden rim of his reading glasses and says to me, "That's an excellent rough draft Neil."
What the?
I go back to my work station and two days later I have produced this:-
That remembered moment has remained with me through the years... "an excellent rough draft Neil."
Thank you Mr Doyle.
A good teacher knows when a student has more in him (or her) than he (or she) thought.
ReplyDeleteIt is too easy to say to a child, "Oh! That's really good! Well done!" Harder to push up their standards.
DeleteFunny how what a teacher says can sometimes really stick. (I have to remember that!) I actually like your typeface for the author's name better in the top version, for what that's worth. And it's interesting that you flipped the banners, so that "Around the World" is on top in the second one -- I guess that connects more to the illustration?
ReplyDeleteSteve, I think the same about the author's name.
DeleteLooking back after nearly fifty years, I believe the two of you might be right about the name but see my comment below.
DeleteHmm... I may be alone there, but I actually prefer the "rough draft". The writing of the author's name is more beautiful, and the watercolour blue sky gives it an extra bit of... I don't know, something.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have just noticed Steve said the same about the author's name.
DeleteBut much more care and time went into the second draft and as I recall the paper it came from was "Graphic Design" where better levels of accuracy were required.
DeleteYou really learned something in that exercise!
ReplyDeleteYes I did and it is a leson that has stayed with me for almost fifty years - Do not be too easily satisfied!
DeleteA significant comment, to still ring in your mind so many years later. I think that's the kind of thing that's considered a watershed moment, is it not? I do think the second version is much improved. Polished might be the word I am looking for.
ReplyDeleteMore polished yes and in terms of graphic design more likely to score good marks.
DeleteThe balloon was immediately deflated.
ReplyDeleteSome people are experts at being able to do that, and barely bat an eye when doing so; or realise the lasting impact their words can have.
Actually to my eyes "Verne" in your top illustration looks much like "Veme".
Jules Veme was a great writer - not as well known as Jules Verne but better.
DeleteYou deem to dream it would seem...
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