1. Think back to last year - consider the whole academic year; your confidence, your attitude to learning, the work itself?
At the start of year 1 I was a bit apprehensive, I didn't really know what to expect from the course, and I didn't know anything about the theory side of the course so this was a bit of a surprise. At the start after seeing a few other peoples work I had a bit of a crisis in confidence and started to question whether I was good enough to be on the course.
I was and continue to be every open to learning new things on both sides of the course, even though some of the theory lectures feel irrelevant at times.
The work itself was ok, I feel that the briefs got better as the year progressed as they were a bit less vague, and I could get a sense of what the expected outcome was. I do feel that my work got better and better throughout the year. A similar story with the theory side of the course too, initially I didn't really know where to start or how to get going, but once things got going it was easy to keep up with the blog and the essay - even though I did get a bit confused with where it was going with changing theory tutors mid way through the year.
How do you feel now? What has changed?
I feel a lot more confident in my own abilities and I have a better attitude to doing the work, and I also feel that I am more open to experimentation with techniques and media than I was last year. I feel that I am in a better place to carry on with this year because of last year. I think that I realized that I need to motivate myself to keep up with work in order to get the best out of it and myself.
What would you do differently?
I would tell myself to keep up with the work as much as possible, at times I was really lazy and passive with it.
2. Think about your learning progression, your personal and social development:
what skills have you acquired?
I have learnt a lot of techniques to do with using the software in Creative Suite and AfterEffects, I also have learnt a lot from the theory side - even if it doesn't always feel like its relevant to my design practice, sometimes it does feel interesting. I feel more confident in talking to people about my work as well as producing it - I certainly feel more professional in my approach.
What areas would you like to improve on?
I would like to be better able to consistently produce good work across a variety of specialisms and disciplines. I would also like to improve on keeping up to date with my work, and getting projects finished quicker.
3. Be self-critical; what have you learnt about yourself?
That I'm not as bad at talking in front of people as I thought, my work is of a better standard than I thought, that I can procrastinate very well but somehow get work done in the last couple of weeks before a deadline.
I have learnt that I need to be better at motivating myself, making real progress sooner, making decisions sooner, I need to push myself more, and be more creative in experimentation.
What are you most proud of?
In terms of my work I'm most proud of passing first year with 61%.
What else have you achieved? What would you like to improve on?
I am also really proud that I learnt how to use AfterEffects, and taught myself a little bit of Dreamweaver. The work I am most proud of producing was my Earth Artefact project - "a beginners guide to taking over planet earth" because it looks miles better than any sort of page layout than I have done before.
I would like to improve on last year and end with a better grade, as well as continuing to develop in all areas - especially the theory blog and essay - as I feel that I could do well on these.
4. At the start of the second year; what concerns you?
Keeping up to date with all the work, as well as keeping it up to a good or better standard to last year.
What steps have you taken to overcome this?
I have made a more concerted effort to keep up with my blog.
5. What excites you?
The future, going on trips, producing more work that I can be proud of, and being a better designer.
6. What steps are in place to achieve your aims?
I have become more motivated to do better, and put more effort into my studies than I have before because I have realised that I havent really tried too hard at anything in my life and its always been just okay.
