Study task 5

RESEARCH PROPOSAL & ESSAY PLAN

1.  Suggested Title of Research Project

Why is it important to be aware of mental illnesses in todays society, and how do illustrators contribute to raising this issue?

2. Significance

The rise in autism alone is hugely significant today. Now standing at one in 88 children being on the spectrum is really something we need to recognise in our world today. Awareness will help make our society a much more accommodating place for people with mental illnesses, and potentially lead to more help being offered to the families, more investments into schooling, and possibly their lives after school.

 The more i write and read about the spectrum, the more interesting i find it and the more i feel it should be something that everyone is todays society is aware of. Im almost shocked at how little i knew before i started this essay.

3. Primary and Secondary Sources

Newspapers, contextual research, documentaries, and books will form the basis of my research.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/us/autistic-and-seeking-a-place-in-an-adult-world.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1417637291-SXbuYMxNp+oa07EoEGGLcQ

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/autism/overview.html

Mullin.J (2009) “Drawing Autism”, New York city, Mark Batty publisher.

http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/Pages/PDF/Mottron-BurackANGxp1.pdf

Images to use to make my points:

4. Methods

I aim to gain further knowledge on the subject throughout this discourse analysis, so as to make an accurate body of work. I will watch more documentaries and try and get my hands on some more books on autism. I also aim to gather more illustrations on the topic, and visualise the way in which i would like to illustrate autism to raise awareness.

5. Limitations

The main focus of my essay will be autism in todays society, mainly because it interests me so, and i feel the awareness for such disorder isn't as apparent as it should be. 

I would like to briefly touch on autism like disorders such as ADHD and asperges as i feel they all fall into the same category. However the majority of the analysis will be on autism and how artists can raise awareness, and what can be done in today's society to help people with autism. 

6. Essay Plan

a. Introduction (300 words) - Introduce my question, and briefly outline how i will be answering it.

b. Main body (1400 words) - Facts and figures of autism.

                                              The importance of raising awareness.

                                              What needs to change in our society in light of this. 

                                            

c. Visual examples (1000 words) - Visual examples will hopefully support my points made in the main body of the essay, and allow me to talk about autism in an analytical way, with a sensitive approach to the illustrations. I will use the illustrations above to help me answer my question, with possible comparisons of the artists work and how they've gone about the same subject differently. 

d. Conclusion (300 words) - Conclude my initial points, and make it clear that I've answered my initial question throughout. 

Other Illustrations related to Autism.

                                                                 

Tatiana Alisova

Micah Lidberg

Andrea Wan - New York Times illustration

Discourse analysis (Edited with quotes)

The illustration 'autism' by the french illustrator Isabelle Arsenault carefully communicates how parents can help their children who suffer from this disorder. The image was an editorial illustration for a particular article on autism, however, has been used for various articles and blogs, suggesting Arsenault portrays autism on a broader level and conveys an overall understanding of the condition. Autism has increased by a staggering amount in the last 20 years,“Currently 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with ASD” (Millin J 2009:13) and therefore these articles are being written to give parents, teachers and helpers a clearer understanding of how to understand what their child may be thinking or how to respond to various occurrences. There are many forms of autism, and each child is affected differently, but on the whole autism is a disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to other people. “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability associated with social interaction and communication impairments and rigid and/or repetitive behaviours.” (Mullin 2009:13)

The image shows a young boy sitting alone at a kitchen table, wearing a vacant and sad look upon his face. His arms are crossed, he looks lonely and withdrawn. However there is an opening in his head, where a bright red bird sits. Is the bird in a cage? This poses questions as to how the boy may be feeling. As though his emotions are trapped inside him. Some autistic children have difficulty in emotional empathy, and this can alienate them from others, even their parents. Possibly the mother is trying to coax some human feelings from her son. 

“The earliest most striking aspects of autism include significantly diminished overt and spontaneous attention to voices and faces that are associated with increased attention to non-social, as opposed to social, aspects of the world”.

The boy has no interaction with anything else in the image, but the bird and the outstretched arm offer a connection to the viewer. It implies that help is available, that someone is willing to delicately reach out and support the lost boy. The hand is not forceful or intimidating, however it is disconnected and stands alone. “Faced with the difficulties and perplexities of autism, parents are understandably desperate for guidance and hope”.

The bright red bird contrasts completely with the icy blue background, and stands out as the main focus point when you first look at the image.

The bird and the seeds perhaps represent the connection between the young boy and the parent, that the situation cannot be tackled in one swift motion, but rather a relationship that needs to be built on trust, and overcome in small seed like steps. The seeds are potentially being sown, small connections that help the child and parent grow and bloom a happy relationship.

The colours in the illustration are used extremely well in conveying an atmosphere to the viewer. It really is a powerful portrayal of the relationship between mother and son. The way she communicates a message with her composition and symbolic meanings is clearly a talent Arsenault displays.

Isabelle Arsenault touches on a pressing issue in todays society in this illustration. The fact that the rise in numbers of children with autism is so high, is something that needs to be recognised in our communities and our homes."Thirty years ago, autism was considered to be a rare childhood disorder most often associated with severe intellectual disabilities, lack of social awareness and absence of meaningful expressive language. Today the spectrum of autistic disorders (or ASD) is recognised as a set of common developmental disorders.”

 She illustrates the alienation an autistic child may feel, but approaches it with a solution, not just a problem. Its highly relevant in todays society to make people aware of the problems and situations that surround us, so that we can take on board these issues, and create a harmonious environment for all.

I chose this image because i feel it responds well to the article, and to the subject matter as a whole. I think her work is beautiful and delicate but holds a compelling message for the viewer to dissect. Autism is something that many people have heard of, but few know much about or understand. This illustration challenges us to ask questions. I discovered the image, and then i researched autism. The illustration captured my attention, and made me want to know what it was all about. Images in articles like these are becoming more and more popular, and i think for good reason. Captivating audiences, and speaking words with drawings is a beautiful and powerful thing, and Isabelle Arsenault has accomplished this charmingly here. 

Bibliography

Feinstein.A (2012) “A historical perspective on autism” [internet] UK, Encyclopedia on early childhood development, <http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pages/PDF/FeinsteinANGxp1.pdf> [05-11-2014] 

Green.J (2012) “Intervention in autism” [internet] UK, Encyclopedia on early childhood development, <http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pages/PDF/GreenANGxp1.pdf> [05-11-2014]

Mottron.L, Burack.JA (2012) “Sensory, Mator and attention characteristics of autistic children” [internet], Canada, Encyclopedia on early childhood development <http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pages/PDF/Mottron-BurackANGxp1.pdf> [05-11-2014]

Mullin.J (2009) “Drawing Autism”, New York city, Mark Batty publisher.

Mullin.J (2009) “Drawing Autism”, New York city, Mark Batty publisher. 

Autism in society.

So the other day i stumbled across this book in the library, purely by chance. For some reason it sparked instant interest, and i just wanted to learn all about it. My theme remains 'society' but my idea for what to write about changed, and after doing some extensive research i found it to be a rather pressing matter in todays world. I didn't think my initial ideas were suited to me, and i was struggling to be inspired by what i had chosen. But i am now getting much more into it and am really enjoying this theme. 

500 word discourse analysis

The illustration 'autism' by the french illustrator Isabelle Arsenault carefully communicates how parents can help their children who suffer from this disorder. The image was an editorial illustration for a particular article on autism, however, has been used for various articles and blogs, suggesting Arsenault portrays autism on a broader level and conveys an overall understanding of the condition. Autism has increased by a staggering amount in the last 20 years, and therefore these articles are being written to give parents, teachers and helpers a clearer understanding of how to understand what their child may be thinking or how to respond to various occurrences. There are many forms of autism, and each child is affected differently, but on the whole autism is a disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to other people.

The image shows a young boy sitting alone at a kitchen table, wearing a vacant and sad look upon his face. His arms are crossed, he looks lonely and withdrawn. However there is an opening in his head, where a bright red bird sits. Is the bird in a cage? This poses questions as to how the boy may be feeling. As though his emotions are trapped inside him. Some autistic children have difficulty in emotional empathy, and this can alienate them from others, even their parents. Possibly the mother is trying to coax some human feelings from her son.
The boy has no interaction with anything else in the image, but the bird and the outstretched arm offer a connection to the viewer. It implies that help is available, that someone is willing to delicately reach out and support the lost boy. The hand is not forceful or intimidating, however it is disconnected and stands alone which adds a beautiful hidden interpretation to be worked out.
The bright red bird contrasts completely with the icy blue background, and stands out as the main focus point when you first look at the image.
The bird and the seeds perhaps represent the connection between the young boy and the parent, that the situation cannot be tackled in one swift motion, but rather a relationship that needs to be built on trust, and overcome in small seed like steps. The seeds are potentially being sown, small connections that help the child and parent grow and bloom a happy relationship.
The colours in the illustration are used extremely well in conveying an atmosphere to the viewer. It really is a powerful portrayal of the relationship between mother and son. The way she communicates a message with her composition and symbolic meanings is clearly a talent Arsenault displays.
Isabelle Arsenault touches on a pressing issue in todays society in this illustration. The fact that the rise in numbers of children with autism is so high, is something that needs to be recognised in our communities and our homes. She illustrates the alienation an autistic child may feel, but approaches it with a solution, not just a problem. Its highly relevant in todays society to make people aware of the problems and situations that surround us, so that we can take on board these issues, and create a harmonious environment for all.



I chose this image because i feel it responds well to the article, and to the subject matter as a whole. I think her work is beautiful and delicate but holds a compelling message for the viewer to dissect. Autism is something that many people have heard of, but few know much about or understand. This illustration challenges us to ask questions. I discovered the image, and then i researched autism. The illustration captured my attention, and made me want to know what it was all about. Images in articles like these are becoming more and more popular, and i think for good reason. Captivating audiences, and speaking words with drawings is a beautiful and powerful thing, and Isabelle Arsenault has accomplished this charmingly here.

Homeless in Society (the rich and the poor)

Ammon Perry November 2011

Cody Schibi, date unknown

Travis Young, date unknown

Library research

Here is the book i chose from the library the other day. At first i thought i might like to explore the history side of illustration, and look into the propaganda posters and the art involved during the war to persuade people to join up or to do their part. I like how much power and influence these posters had. However, after the other days lecture, i think i'll be doing something on society. I feel its something i am more passionate about and will be able to immerse myself in a bit more.



The book number is pretty hard to make out.
I think its 741.67