1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
Through this module I have developed my image skills, by learning that there is more to image that just creating an appealing picture, as it must be communicative and work in context. Applying this skill has allowed my work to have meaning behind it.
I have had the chance to experiment with new processes, such as laser cutting, printing on to unusual stocks and to larger sizes. To do this, I have had to plan ahead, to book slots and gather materials, so this has improved my time management skills. I have learnt to go outside of my comfort zone with my designs, and this new skill means that I have been able to create more unique, interesting pieces.
The short deadlines have pushed me to not waste time, therefore improving my decision making skills to ensure I don't get behind.
I have also starting to think about dealing with a budget, from planning the books for the book fair. All of these skills have made me work more realistically as an image creator, and I think this will help me if this is my job in the industry.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I have tried to be as varied as possible with my methods of design production to produce a really mixed portfolio of work, to show of my different skills. I have hand drawn, digitally created, painted and 2d and 3d hand crafted my pieces. My research of designers, has been influential in the methods I have used, inspiring me to try new things I wouldn't have thought of before.
I have enjoyed all of these areas, but think I need to work more on improving my digital design production, as this is one of my greatest areas of interest.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalize on these?
My main strength in this module has been to really think through the concept before starting to design. With some of the briefs, it would have been really easy to create an obvious response, so I have thought of different ideas to try to think of something which will be different to what everyone else has done, making my work unique.
I have used different materials to what I usually would, and I have took the chance to create things by hand, meaning that I have challenged myself and created things different to what I have made before. I will capitalise on this strength by continuing to try using different materials, and not just sticking with what I know works, but taking chances to improve my skills.
I have put more consideration in to presentation choices like colour schemes, stock choices, printing finishes, and this means that my final pieces are of a higher quality than other work I have produced, so I will continue to put this thought into presentation in future modules.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
I think while it is good to set myself a challenge, some of my ideas were more time consuming that I had allowed myself time to create them. While I do think my decision making and time management skills have improved, I think I need to make sure my ideas are possible in the time given, especially when trying out something I have never done before, such as with the 3d paper craft. This will save lots of panic in future!
I have realised that while I have covered many areas of image, photography is an area that I haven't touched on. This is something I really need to work on, and would also enjoy to do, so in future, I would like to experiment and learn more about photography to give me another skill to use.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
-1- I will put more effort in to presentation from the start of the module. I spent a lot of time on the presentation of my book works book, and as a result, I was really happy with the outcome, but I should have used different processes, such as screen printing, and I should have tried these things out from the first brief.
-2- I was working to short deadlines with these briefs, as well as having other things to do as well, so I didn't have as much time as I would have liked on some of the briefs, but even still, I think on some of the ideas I should have spent longer experimenting with them before jumping straight in to designing.
-3- I had said that I would continue to ask for feedback with my final project over the Easter break, but I got very little feedback as I just had to get on with it, and felt like it was too late to change my ideas. I continued to evaluate my work myself, but next time, by continuing to ask others for their feedback, I can make well needed improvements to my work.
-4- After I have received feedback on a piece of work, I have gone back to that piece of work and made the changes to improve my work and make sure it is communicating what it is supposed to, however, I think I should have gone back and asked for feedback again, to see if what I am trying to do has worked. This would ensure a final piece that I am happy with, and that is understandable.
-5- Next time, I will make sure that what I am proposing to do is actually achievable in the time given, this will ensure that my work does not look rushed, and I don't have to panic to try and finish it.
6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas
(5= excellent 4=very good 3=good 2=average 1=poor)
Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 4
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 3
Quality of work produced = 3
Contribution to the group = 4
Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 4
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 3
Quality of work produced = 3
Contribution to the group = 4
