What have I learnt?
One of the main things I have learnt since the start of this course is new skills in certain adobe softwares, such as illustrator and indesign, which I previously had little knowledge of. This has been incredibly useful for each studio brief, allowing me to produce work which could not be produced effectively through simply handmade methods, such as book layouts and typeface design. Not only have I learnt new skills in such softwares, the ongoing use of these have allowed me to develop existing skills in photoshop.
I have also learn that research is one of the most important things when starting a brief. An extensive knowledge of the themes and concepts behind your work helps it to become more informed and thought out, which normally produces the best outcomes. The more obscure the information the better. This area has been accompanied by various study tasks which have helped me learn new graphic design techniques and processes, such as ascii art and book-binding, and ultimately produce more experimental work.
New knowledge of typographic terminology and grid systems will now allow me to talk about my work in a more informed manner and explain the small, individual elements of type design and the importance of grids within layouts.
Non-work related, I have also learnt how to cook decent meals for myself which has come from independence and living away from family in a new city.
How will these affect my future development?
- A range of new skills to develop my creative practice.
- A range of new processes allows experimentation and better informed work and concepts - this creates clear links between work, research and ideas.
- New knowledge of typographic terms allow me to correctly talk about my work typographically in the correct and a more informed manner.
- Grid systems are important in creating a hierarchy and consistency in work.
Strengths and how I will develop these?
- Handmade processes, such as printmaking - will be developed further through being more experimental and combining different processes, such as analog and digital, which I have done for specific studio briefs and study tasks - blacklettering and wayfindings, in particular.
- Research and study tasks - experimentation with processes and ideas - develop further by going to more exhibitions, research trips and library visits to better inform my ideas and concepts.
Weaknesses and how I will address these?
- Still not the best at adobe - this can be overcome through the natural progression on the course whereby I will use various different softwares for set studio briefs and tasks. Working on more self-led projects will also allow me to develop these skills.
- Presentations have never been a strong point, however the ongoing presentation of work and group critiques will allow me to practice talking publicly to the class about my work and ideas.
What have I enjoyed and why?
- Independence - felt like it was needed to help myself grow as a person/ helped each me things I would not have known otherwise, such as how to cook and work a washing machine.
- Meeting new people - being surrounded by many like-minded people who all wish to pursue a career within the creative industry.
- Living in a new city - has allowed me to explore new things and become more open-minded.
- Exhibitions and workshops - gained valuable new skills, knowledge and inspiration.
- Studio talks, visiting professionals and trips - valuable advice about what it takes to become a graphic designer, set up your own studio, put yourself out there and ultimately pursue a career in the creative industry.
What have I disliked and why?
- The workload has been slightly overwhelming at times, however this is how it would potentially be working in a studio setting, as studio visits and talks have taught me that you will constantly be working on a variety of different briefs at one time - preparation for finishing the course/time management.
Aims and ambitions for Level 5?
- Get better at time management - create lists of things to get done in a day/prioritise those more important/start things as soon as possible.
- Work on more self-led briefs in my spare time - valuable to inform creative practice and build a portfolio of work which does not just consist of module briefs, but one which also conveys more personal interests.
- Pay more visits to the library - do more research through text, books and visits for primary research, rather than relying on the internet the majority of the time - accuracy of information.
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