Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
produced, without any kind of appreciation or true understanding of the
underlying principles. Once again, I am reminded of that great quote from
Walt Disney:
In order to achieve the fantastic we must first know the real.
It is through research and methodical study that we begin to know the real.
Through our practice, we are able to take this knowledge and apply it to make
the fantastic.
Unfortunately, we still get some students who make the big mistake
of concentrating entirely on the “making” process without giving due
consideration to either the underpinning principles of their chosen disciple
or the wider theoretical aspects of their practice. Their practice is left
impoverished as a result, and they rarely manage to fulfill their true creative
potential.
Far too often student animators seem to see research as scary, the
prerogative of “academics” or other “clever people,” undertaken solely for
academic purposes. This is absolute nonsense. Unfortunately, some of these
preconceptions about research have been perpetuated by the academic
community itself. I realize that this is a rather contentious statement that
will ruffle a few feathers. No doubt some of my colleagues will completely
refute it. It remains a fact, however, that some students consider research
at best irrelevant, a rather unnecessary part of their studies and surplus to
requirements. Some even find the thought of research rather threatening
and beyond them. This is, of course, far from reality. The truth is, those
engaged in a creative practice such as animation will invariably already
be engaged in research of some sort or another. However, whether they
recognize that what they do as research is another thing entirely. It is
even more doubtful that they would claim to be undertaking research;
nonetheless, the activity that they
are
engaged in may indeed include
research. For students of animation it might be worthwhile to consider what
activities you already undertake as part of your practice and then make an
assessment if this does actually include research. You might be surprised.
I am sure that if you see it in these simple terms, you will find the whole thing
a lot less intimidating and even of great value.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of research and its contribution to a
creative arts practice. Without the appropriate level of research, your depth
of knowledge and understanding will be substantially less and you will not
achieve the full potential for your ongoing creative development.
There is not one single way of doing research. You can choose from among
various methods, but naturally enough, some methods are more appropriate
to particular areas of study, and you might find that you are more suited to
one kind of research method than another. Here we take a look at a few of
these methods and hopefully along the way simplify them and dispel some of
the misconceptions about research.
