How to choose your topic . . . the smart way

History of Illustration Research

Explore

But Keep It Researchable

What makes an illustration topic “researchable?”

What makes an illustration topic researchable?

They have an established career– For example, they’ve been published or had

gallery shows

Shaun Tan Gary Larson

Gothic/frightening illustration styles for children’s stories

Other people have responded to their work in a public venue

Biographical Dictionary Book Periodical (Magazine, Journal, etc)

What makes an illustration topic researchable?

Beware international illustrators

Sometimes the best sources for certain topics are not in English. Can you read the language you are researching in?

What makes an illustration topic researchable?

Dead illustrators are easier to research

What makes an illustration topic researchable?

Henry DargerUntitled (Battle scene during lightning storm. Naked Children with Rifles)

Strategies for Living Illustrators

Find their website and/or blog– Mine it for information, including bibliographies

Researching living illustrators

Bibliographies

Researching living illustrators

Request an interview– Make sure your email asking them if they will

answer a few questions for your project is:• Polite • Grammatically correct• Spell-checked• Doesn’t ask them info that is available elsewhere

Researching living illustrators

Determine your interview questions only after you’ve read up on them – avoid asking about information that is already published.

How the Library Can Help

• Open Reserves• Books for inspiration and research • Reference Articles– AskArt.com

• Magazine & Journal Articles, Annuals– Design + Applied Arts Index– Art Full Text

• Images – ARTstor

Inspiration

NC

PZ Call Numbers are forIllustrated Literature

NC Call Numbers are forIllustration + Graphic Design

PZ

OpenReserves

Books which can be used inthe library to research yourtopic. These books are a gold mine!

Find them behind the DVD section

Bound Periodicals are simply back issues of magazines, journals, and annuals. They have boring covers, but the insides are full of neat images.

Bound Periodicals

Illustration Research Guide

Visit the online research guide:www.ringling.libguides.com/illustrator

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that something won't work." - Thomas Edison