Published at: link How to explain your artistic vision during art education assessments Introduction With the implementation of ‘competency assessments’ at the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA), students are faced with a new form of evaluation in which they must demonstrate within the setting of a formal portfolio, presentation and dialogue (assessment) that they have […]
Continue ReadingWhat can Possibly go Wrong?
this is a rough first text on the subject of failing on personal student projects. Any feedback is welcome. “How students can fail in personal projects at the WdKA” Before the summer holidays it’s ‘project assessment time’. When it comes to independent student projects it can be difficult to understand for students why they failed. […]
Continue ReadingIllustration survey – interest and opportunity in Illustration
Introduction. I’ve done a small follow-up illustration survey in class with 23 2nd year illustration students. The goal was to get some insight in student interests, ambition and their view on the field of illustration. There were 4 ‘closed’ question: what are an illustrator’s best chances in today’s market? what are you current interests in […]
Continue ReadingWill Instagram Render the Art Academy Obsolete?
I have some rough thoughts about this question. The question belongs to one of my illustration students. I think it’s a relevant question because many illustrators promote the use of Instagram. I hope to further elaborate on my thoughts later. Instagram is a social networking application. It allows you to share photos or videos within […]
Continue ReadingWriting an independent illustration proposal for a client
Illustrators do not always have to wait for clients for work. A good entrepreneur looks for his/her own opportunities in the market. At the WdKA we encourage our students to learn to iniate personal projects for clients they would like to work for. Creating your own proposal does not imply that you’re a fine artist. […]
Continue ReadingIllustration Student Survey
Introduction. yesterday I’ve done a small illustration survey in class with 25 students. The goal was to get some insight in student interests, ambition and their view on the field of illustration. There were 6 multiple choice questions and 1 open question. Outcome. Based on the input we can make some assumptions. There was a […]
Continue ReadingExpo Review: “A Visual Celebration without Justification”
Review of the third year illustration WdKA exposition: “Untitled-JPG” PDF: UntitledExpo-Review-DFjJan2017 Introduction. Last Friday 20th of January 2017 the opening took place of the exposition: “Untitled-JPG” at the SLASH gallery in Rotterdam. The exposition of 3rd year illustration students from the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. More than 30 students presented […]
Continue ReadingIllustrative Teamwork
Today I worked together with students of the masterstudies: Organisation, Culture and Management of the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. During the class we talked, wrote, drew and made inkt paintings about 4 different topics. I found it relevant to work with non-art academy students to show our department and explain about the profession of todays […]
Continue ReadingClient-based Education
Just a quick mental note for myself. Yesterday I participated in the annual Rotterdam ‘Educational Parade’ . A meeting for ‘educators’ to participate in workshops that are related to education. I participated in the workshop: The Ideal Teacher; which was part of the 2-year HR teacher training program for professionals who start teaching. Collaborative learning […]
Continue ReadingClass review: Ethics for Illustrators
Illustration by Floor Steinz (c) 2016 I started my first class last week about ‘ethics’, in the context of Illustration. Eventhough the topic is broad and complex, I find it a very relevant topic. Ethics are strongly related with passion, and the things that drive us. Finding a personal ‘cause’ can be a powerful motivator […]
Continue ReadingInspiration & Relaxation
Two weeks ago we organized an ‘inspiration week’ for the department of illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA). It was right after the evaluation of the year’s first projects. We wanted to give students the opportunity to reflect upon what they’ve done and try to inspire them before the second project starts. In […]
Continue ReadingCrosscomix Rotterdam – review
Presentation: Methamorphoses by alumni Veerle Coppoolse. There are some nice events and festivals in the Netherlands for illustrators and animators. I always recommend; Playground, Klik, Haff, Graphixx (Belgium) and the Ilustration Biennale. Today I saw the pilot version of a new event: Crosscomix Rotterdam. I was attracted by the concept of this festival to connect […]
Continue ReadingWdKA FINALS ILLUSTRATION 2016
The WdKA Finals (graduation show) can still be seen until Sunday the 10th of July. I have been wanting to write my reflections on the works of this years illustration graduation students. However for now I’ll share this quick visual impression. I would like to show the themes that inspired the illustration students. The design […]
Continue ReadingStop Individual Student Feedback
I was amazed yesterday at how well students can give feedback on each others work. We had a project-feedback moments and I asked the students to write down feedback on post-its. Each ‘feedback-round’ had a specific aim: indicate a quality raise relevant questions give sound advice give bland critique I considered it a very effective […]
Continue ReadingDesigners-Behaviour-Grid 1.0
yesterday I presented this ‘Designers-Behaviour-Grid’ to 2nd year Illustration students. It was my intention to discuss with students what type of behavior we desire from design students in projects. I think most students know what type of behavior is expected, but sometimes they choose to act differently. I tried to explain that I believe it’s […]
Continue ReadingApplied Research in Higher Education
Today I went to a ‘lecture-day’ about Applied Research in Higher Professional Education (Folder praktijkgericht onderzoek in het HBO). The topic is considered relevant because since 2009 it has been put on the agenda of every higher education-institute in the Netherlands. This includes my own institute of Art&Design. I was interested because I find it […]
Continue ReadingIllustration WdKA Studyday – step1
“WdKA – Illustration – Morale Patch” Yesterday we had a STUDIEDAG-ILLUSTRATIE-2016. After a significant proces of educational changes at the WdKA in the last 4 years, I sensed the urgency to get together with the teachers of the department of Illustration. If the WdKA has changed its program; what does that imply for our […]
Continue ReadingHow to: Build organizational capacity
Today was my last day with “the Movement 2.0” (De Beweging 2.0). I was invited in the beginning of this year by Ernst Phaff to become part of a group of employees who have an ambition for improving the quality of education at Hogeschool Rotterdam. Perviously there was: The Beweging 1.0; I was part of […]
Continue ReadingWritings – Pyramid of Learning
After a difficult project with illustration students I made this illustration for them. The project was difficult because some students lost motivation and could not complete the demands. I wanted them to understand that big projects cannot always be done in the final hour. Students often find it hard to organize their time effectively in […]
Continue ReadingCD-cover – review: Boulevard of Broken Dreams
CD Artwork Review “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, Illustrated by Kim Hoorweg review by Danai Fuengshunut, 1st of December 2015 In November 2015 I received a special present from one of our Illustration students. Kim Hoorweg had sent me a copy of her (latest) CD: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. I found it special to […]
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