Instagram Review

First off, if anyone from my group is reading this blog, know that I have been pushing this assignment off as long as possible. I know that even a well intentioned critique can put someone off their work and kill their creative joy. I don't like being party to that.

Fortunately, everyone in my group, the teal group, is absolutely brilliant - not to mention adorable, so there should be very little critiquing necessary!

First up is the talented James Anear, artist extraordinaire (@jamesanear) 

His use of colour and lighting is exceptional! I was in highschool when the anime craze hit hard, and his take on that style is unique, fresh and subtly sensual. He shows respect for the beauty of the feminine form in his attention to detail and anatomy. While the proportions are exaggerated, in keeping with the anime aesthetic, he makes his characters feel solid and believable.

He also gives an example of his ability to create more technical drawings, sharing an illustration of what appears to be a biomechanical being. There is clearly a nod to HR Giger in this particular rendering, which might be why I'm partial to this one in particular.

His talent is without question. The one critique I would have is that the content is almost entirely character focused. Perhaps giving us a few examples of backgrounds or environments in which his characters exist might help show off his range. An illustrator may be called upon for various projects and showing his versatility could aid him.

Every artist has their strength however, and if James wants to dedicate himself to character art, he's well on his way!

Next we have Yoshinori Enomoto, who runs the J-S delivery service. Their instagram displays one image, a very cute, cheeky looking illustration of a delivery truck. I presume this must be their logo and I have to say I love it! The clean, simple line art makes it pop out on any potential boxes, envelopes or mailers the company might send out.

I feel like setting up an instagram for a delivery service is difficult, in that there is a certain amount of anonymity clients of such a service demand. Therefore, it would be very difficult to post pictures of deliveries being made, or happy customers. Such images would almost have to be staged with models, which is a big expense for an up and coming business to budget for.

One thing that might be an option would be posting pictures of the packaging process (if that is a service the business offers.) 

Another might be showing either illustations or staged photographs of the delivery process, from mailroom to doorstep, using members of the J-S delivery team (even if it's just a single person business.)

Stock photos are another option, but again, they do cost money. Maybe James Anear should illustrate some sketches for J-S Delivery Service to show just what they do.

It is not entirely clear what services are entailed and illustrations might help with that.

Next in line is Lynette Takasugi of @takasugiandassociates

This is an accounting service, again I'm not sure how one gets around client anonimity to post pictures for such potentially sensitive services, but Lynette does a good job with the three photos posted.

The first depicts 4 stuffed animals, all of whom appear to be of the canine persuasion, seated at a table. Set before them is a pie tin with only one quarter of pie left. This may serve as a metaphorical anaology of how businesses requite accounting services to help balance their books. The quarter slice of pie may symbolize the budget, and the four dogs symbolize various branches that require funding.

I may be way off base in my assumption, a short description of the picture might help resolve that.

Next is a picture of euphemisms for accountants, such as bean counter and double entry deviant. This is a fun and playful way to relate to customers. In poking fun at oneself, potential clients see that the accountants with Takasugi and Associates have a sense of humour and are fun loving people. This is important, as the stereotype of accountants is that they are a dry, dull, by the books sort. 

The last picture appears to be of a taxform with a stainless steel mechanical pencil and a brushed aluminum calculator visible in the edge of the shot. This is an image that depicts one of the major duties of an accountant in a visual way. Still, a descrition below the picture might help and drive this image home.