End of Module Evaluation

This year, I really needed to focus on my work life balance, as I have struggled a lot with stress and my mental well-being last year. In order to ensure I looked after myself, I strictly timetabled myself to tasks, and set short deadlines so that I was able to take breaks when I needed to, and wasn’t overworked when I had more projects to complete. I really enjoyed my 505 module, and was keen to look into both pattern and packaging again this year, through selecting items to brand and package. However, I overestimated my skills in branding, and this put me off tackling this initially. Also, during the first semester, I devoted a lot of my time to my Context of Practice module, and let my practice take a back seat. However, I did still complete some small briefs during this time, and I think it was beneficial to me to take a break from my extended practice and really focus on my packaging work within Context of Practice. As a result, in January I had a small foundation of work to build from, and I felt refreshed and enthused.

During Context of Practice I learnt a lot about who I want to be as a practitioner, and decided I really wanted to focus on ethical design and helping to reduce waste, which carried forward into my final ‘WonKy’ project. The main things I have learnt this year have come from feedback sessions with tutors and peers, which has been really useful to me. I often put a lot of pressure on myself to finish everything off perfectly, and will push myself further than I should to ensure I do this. However, I have learnt to embrace the imperfections in my work, and regard them as the character behind it, which actually makes the piece more fun. Also, after my Art Fund collaboration project, I finally listened to my tutor’s advice and have made sure I say no to people when I don’t think I can complete the task, or if it won’t further my portfolio. This has alleviated a lot of pressure on me.

One of the aspects I have enjoyed the most this year was my final ‘WonKy’ project, as I felt the idea perfectly summed up what I want my practice to be about. Also, due to thorough research into primary resources and other practitioners, I was successful in making sustainability more attractive and accessible. I also really enjoyed all the intricacies in my practice from this project, just small things such as preferring the cut paper lines when the blade is slightly blunt, or trusting my intuition in image making. I feel that these are valuable insights I have identified, which will help me with the progression of my work. Another project I loved was my Student President Campaign, as although it felt nerve-wracking to put my work out to my peers, promoting myself, I was really proud of what I produced. I enjoyed transferring imagery across different media quickly. Since I had effectively timetabled my time, I had enough of a cushion to nip into the print room and make more propaganda, without effecting my other studies.

Something I struggled with was communication within my first collaborative project. However, I learnt from it, and in my packaging collaboration, I was able to effectively use what I had learnt to clarify from the outset what I could make, and what my partner wanted. Then I was able to use my transferrable skills from second year to quickly make repeat patterns, and easily feedback between the two of us. I also struggled near the end of the semester with my mental well-being, due to personal reasons. However, after reflection, I really applied my ‘imperfect’ mantra and weighed up the pressure of re-doing prints, and taking a break, and I decided to rest and visit my niece, and I restarted happy with what I had. One of the first things I struggled with was trying to interpret pattern as image. However, I realised I was approaching it the wrong way. Instead of trying to make patterns simply inspired by my stimuli, I depicted my intent, and created elements of pattern making alongside. I still have a way to go with refining this process, but I’m happy with it at the moment.

After I have finished this module, since I will be staying working in the university, I would like to continue my Extended Practice into fun, self directed briefs to fit in alongside my employment. I’m really relieved that I won’t have to stress about getting money from my practice to fund my living costs, and hopefully I will be able to build up a small freelance presence over the next year, which I can expand on after my term finishes, which will continue to build my confidence in my practice. Overall, I feel that I have created a really strong process of paper cutting, Photoshopping and screen printing, which I am happy with right now. I just want to keep working on addressing issues which are close to my heart, and that I think can make a real difference.