We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Ciara Chapman about their original and creative Journal design work. Ciara Chapman is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original journal works.
Ciara Chapman ("CC") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Digital Journal. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CC : When it comes to my approach to a design, I like to capture an emotion or a moment in time. Whether it is using people, animals or things, I like to add a little expression to the work.
CC : I wanted to communicate to those around me exactly what it was I and so many others are feeling. I also needed to start creating something again, pain had taken so much from me that I wanted to take something back.
CC : This series will become a graphic novel, I am planing on releasing the first Graphic novel in August 2020.
CC : This project has been ongoing for over 3 years, these illustrations were all created in 2018 and I've reached over 100 diary entries at this point.
CC : I was following inspiration with this work. Chronic pain was starting to change me as a person so I needed to bring some colour and creativity into my world.
CC : Organisations and charities use my images from time to time and I am pursuing funding for the Graphic Novel I wish to release in 2020.
CC : The emotion I am capturing always dictates my work.
CC : This is a personal project, sometime people in my life inspire me but outside of that it's all me. Designers that influence me are Pascal Campion, Gabriel Sancho, Cory Shaw, Tim Easley and Una Burke.
CC : Chronic pain sufferers and their loved ones as well as fellow designers and potential clients.
CC : I think the bright colours and lightness set this project apart. E.G. People often use the colour red to communicate pain, I feel this is off-putting to the viewer because it's so harsh so that's a colour I avoid using.
CC : This project pretty much named itself. It's literally 'My Chronic Pain Diary'.
CC : I draw each image in a sketchbook, then I clean up the image and add colour using Photoshop CS and a Wacom Tablet.
CC : I think my approach to the subject matter is the most unique aspect of the design. I use humour to balance out weighty themes. I don't shy away from tough themes but I prefer not to approach them in the most direct way, that's why I use so much symbolism.
CC : This is a solo project.
CC : Half of my work is physical sketchbook work and the other half is dependant on technology. I would be lost without my MacBook. Photoshop and my Wacom Tablet.
CC : My research is often watching people and their movements, particularly on tv as I am currently house bound.
CC : My biggest challenge is my physical limitations. I often want to work when I can't - even though it is often a wonderful distraction from what I am feeling in the moment.
CC : I recently received an honourable mention for my project and it gave me the confidence to see how this project would rate on the international scale.
CC : This project has improved every part of my art practice. From administrative work like filling out funding applications to drawing and of course using online design tools and social media to promote my work.
CC : My biggest supporters are my husband and my mother. My mother is my earliest supporter and she helped me work and focus on realising my dream to go to art college and never stopped supporting me since. My husband is a very talented graphic designer and he has supported me in my pursuit of illustration as a career wholeheartedly. I feel like I should take any and every opportunity to thank them for all they have done for me.
