The potato project was a strange, tiring yet interesting project. I’m not quite sure how I got roped into being in charge of the project, other than it somehow linked into my Personal Identity work where I was taking something and turning it into something else. As with everyone else, I wasn’t really sure what to make of the vague brief we had been given: making a name out of potatoes isn’t something you get to do everyday. Seeing as I was the only one in the project as nobody else was too keen and wanted to do other work, I managed to rope fellow Illustrator Laura into helping me out and to make the most of the opportunity. We spent the first few days coming up with ideas as a group, then Laura and I took the idea(s) that worked the best and narrowed them down until we found an idea we thought would work. Once we knew the basics of what we wanted to achieve we set out with Neil as our guide to this new way of working on a project.
The first thing that we were told we need to do was to research the project. This meant going out and actually finding, handling and analysing potatoes to find the right ones for what we wanted to make. It sounds ridiculous and we probably looked strange sometimes walking around with bags full of potatoes but it was incredibly useful. It wasn’t just potatoes we did this for; it was paint too and wood later on in the project. Once we had the materials, we set about experimenting with them. This meant cutting, sticking and painting potatoes. It felt like I was back in pre-school again doing potato stamps. Whilst this was going on the woman who was organising this project for her client, Charlotte, emailed us to say she’d like to see our idea so that she could either give us the thumbs up for the project or to choose a different, professional artist. This was great news, but it was also nerve-racking as it was our first experience of showing a potential client our work. With the help of tutors, we set everything up right and Charlotte came in and everything went smoothly. She was impressed that we’d actually made a mock up of our idea already so that she could see exactly what we had in mind. Investing time and money into the tests and mock up was really important as it gave us a head start and I believe it was a main factor that won us the commission.
Once we knew we’d got the commission that was when things started to get a bit harder and the work load increased. The next day was spent sending loads of emails and making calls to and from Charlotte trying to figure out the exact details of what the client wanted for their piece for the farmers show and what would/wouldn’t work. It was a frustrating task, but something that was essential to get right. This continued for the next few days as well as Laura and I attempting to get the 3D department at the college to help us make boxes; a task that was doomed from the start due to lack of enthusiasm on the departments half and too many health and safety rules. With no help from them we set out around Hereford trying to find a place that sold cheap wood; a task that wasn’t doomed, but was hard work. As soon as we’d finalised the ideas with Charlotte we had no time to waste and we set about using all the knowledge we’d gained from the past week or so and set about buying all the materials we needed to make the two huge boxes full of potatoes. It was around here that another Illustrator, Jess joined us to help us out; if it wasn’t for her help I doubt the project would have been finished on time. We brought the wood and made the 6ft boxes, glued, nailed and painted them. Then the 3 of us set about cutting, painting and sticking the potatoes down into the boxes; a very tedious task but it had to be done. The project was driving us slightly crazy but it was the day before they had arranged to pick up the boxes so we had to get as much done as we could. The final day we were running around like headless chickens doing our best to finish everything off. I found myself in a friend’s car driving to get last minute paint and bubble wrap as a last minute requests from the client. But we made it. Just.
Overall, I’m still not quite sure what to make of the strange idea that was given to us and how it has given me and Laura the nickname ‘The Potato girls’. The only thing I know for sure is that it was a truly valuable experience, even if it did frustrate me at times, and I feel everyone missed out on a good opportunity by not taking part. I know for sure I have gained some great knowledge that will come in handy later on when I’m presented with new briefs; during my studies and when I’m out on my own. I have already used some of this knowledge in my Personal Identity work and Book Arts work without really noticing until I looked back over it. I think the thing that I value the most was being taught to look for things everywhere; to research the project from the beginning. It helped to sort the good from the bad at the beginning of the project rather than near the end where it throws you off course. It also helped me to widen where I look for things, and to explore places I wouldn’t normally look as there could be something amazing and inspiring there.
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