Well Hello Graphics - Let Me Introduce Myself...

[Authors Own, October 2013]

Exploratory Stage Evaluation

Rotation after rotation, from making a 3D sculpture out of spaghetti to seeing my fashion designs walk down a runway. I have throughly enjoyed each rotation as it has given me an insight into each subject area allowing me to really think about what I want to do in the future. It has also taught me a variety of skills that are specific to each pathway and across pathways that have developed my skills and creative thinking which will further enhance me as a designer.

I did find it quite tricky getting back into the flow of creative thinking having leaving school from earlier on in the year however the introduction we had to the foundation diploma settled me right in allowing me to get back into the routine. 

I came into the first weeks with a confident idea into what pathway I will choose - which would be Graphics, however during the last rotation, Fashion, I changed my mind as I enjoyed it so much - I got along with the tutors very well and I was challenged throughout the week to finally creating a piece that I was genuinely proud of. However I have chosen the pathway that I think I have been most interested in - for the long run, as I believe it will teach me new methods and further develop my design eye and software skills. 

Throughout the weeks I have had difficulty with my sketchbook as everything I do as a designer is usually electronic, therefore I feel as if my sketchbook isn't strong enough in the field of drawings and paintings; on the other hand these few weeks have almost forced me to step out of my comfort zone and try out thing I wouldn't normally do - for example life drawings or paintings - as a designer I am willing to work on my weaknesses and turn them into a strength.

I have also really enjoyed going to the lectures put on for students as it has inspired me to open my own business in the future; they have given me a great insight into the real working world of design.

Overall I had really enjoyed these first three weeks, I have made so many new friends and possible collaborative designers for the future. Although I am slightly sad to see our group spilt into own own pathways - I see it as an opportunity to meet even more designers. In the next stage of this foundation I will look at my weaknesses from each rotation and work on them so I can successfully complete the year and become a proud student of the course. 

Life Drawing Session

[Authors Own, October 13] 

The life drawing session was at first very daunting for me, as I think that its one of my weaker areas in design. However as we got going and started to create sketches under a strict time constraint, it almost forced me to do it, as we had many other drawings to do. My first drawings were very weak and I wasn't too proud of them, but as we kept going  - I do think my drawings became stronger and I started to develop a drawing style of my own. It also shown me through an experiment of different materials that I really enjoy and produce some of my most loved sketches out of Graphite sticks. Overall I did quite enjoy this session and believe I need to continue practising to really develop and strengthen this weakness.

Fashion Pathway Week

[Authors Own, October 13] 

[Authors Own, October 13] 

[Authors Own, October 13] 

[Authors Own, October 13] 

The fashion pathway week I enjoyed the most out of all of the rotations surprisingly, although I have a budding interest in fashion, I didn't think I would enjoy the week so much. The week allowed me to push my creativity to new levels as the pieces had to look good enough for someone to wear. This week I think the creative mannequin dressing worked really well, as we had to work with something we didn't create forcing us to think even more and how to style it so it works whilst working in pairs. Coming up with new and unique paper textures was the most difficult for me - I started to run out of ideas and had to use creative methods from the 3D/Graphic rotation to come up with new concepts, once I  over-comed this problem I really began to enjoy it even more and carried on experimenting whilst at home.  If I was to do anything differently I would experiment even more and spend more time on my final piece so that it fits the model even better. I would also spend more time when photographing my model in my piece - allowing me to find the right location and style her better.
This week has again re-einforced that putting in that extra time whilst at home really does help, also by researching and being inspired my fashion designers can really enhance my ideas.
Most importantly this week has highlighted the importance of collaboration and how by working with new people can really present you with designers for future projects to collaborate with.

Lens Based Pathway Week

[Authors Own, September 13]

This week there were some aspects I really enjoyed, I have also learnt a few key things within the lens based world that are helpful and key for me to know as a creative designer. Day three of the rotation I throughly enjoyed and learnt the most from - Seb offered the class to come and talk about our stories, which I did, and in my talk with Seb we challenged, explored and pushed my story trying to really maximise the potential of my story - I think this really worked well as I got a view from what the audience would think, reflected in Sebs views. I then was able to see the weaknesses of my story, leaving me with questions to overcome and make my story better for example:

- why was was seeing her reflection so important for my protagonist?
- my story is heavily reliant on text, how can I avoid this?
- even if my protagonist saw her reflection - why would it make her feel better? some people see their reflection and are still not confident in themselves?

As a result I came up with a whole new story, with the help of my previous story, which I believe is much more strong and captivating. The new story I believe will also get a wider audience emotionally attached, which in the real world of film making would be positive as it allows the film to attract more people which will result in the film making more money. It also includes the factor of life and death, which through this week I have learnt it is one of the most important factors as it most often controls and moves a story and its audience.

The new developed story: 

[Authors Own, September 13]

If I had to do any thing differently I would try to get peer feedback sooner or whilst creating my story so I  am able to develop my story quicker, as if my story was developed quicker I may of had time to actually try to shoot a quick film - so time management is definitely something I need to manage better.
To prepare for next weeks task I will try to work on my time management - trying to get the tasks done quicker, so I can push my work more.