STUDY TASK 5 - WHERE AM I NOW?

Congratulations on completing the first semester of the programme. At this mid-way point of the year we are asking you to reflect on the last few months of your studies and evaluate what you have learned about yourself, how you learn, the content that you have been introduced to and your growing awareness of Graphic Design.

Your task is to review your blogs, your research, your work and your experiences to date. Having done this you are asked to identify:

• 10 things that you have learned about yourself as an individual and as learner. These should reflect your personal development and individual journey since the start of the programme

(purse + bank card)

As an individual I have learnt how to manage my money really well, this is something I initially thought I would have difficulty with, as moving to Leeds I had to quit my job. The weekly income I used to have I spent of frivolous things like clothes and going on nights out because the necessities of food and washing were all handled by my mum. The fixed sum of money was something I was not sure I could handle. However I have managed really well and I'm really enjoy the independence it has given me.

Cooking for myself was a major issue, again I depended on my mum to make me my dinner. I really thought I would be living off take-aways and 50p noodles. But I have learnt how to make some really nice dinners although there has been some disasters in the kitchen! 

I had never touched a washing machine before let alone know how to work it and put the right clothes in so they wouldn't get damaged. Living in my halls has allowed me to have this experience and so far I haven't ruined anything. 

Starting university has allowed me to prioritise what's important also, in the first few months I really enjoyed going out and meeting new people as I didn't know a single person here before moving. I felt that this really got in the way with my studies and I now only go out when my uni schedule is free or when all my work has been completed. This has enabled me to be more engaged in uni and has also saved me a lot of money.

(to do lists and folders)

I have become really organised when it comes to work. I enjoy making lists and tasks for the week. Ticking them off gives a sense of relief and achievement. I also like to keep my folder organised into sections for each module so I can refer back to the briefs and keep my design sheets and notes in order.

Living with complete strangers was something I initially looked forward to as I'm the type of person who likes new challenges and situations. Although I am not as close to my house mates. I still find the experience something I have learnt a lot about. I have learnt about considering other peoples feeling when they live with you. I have also really enjoyed living in Leeds and consider it my second home.

(keys fone i.d purse)

I have learnt that I can be quite clumsy as I have lost my phone, passport and bank card since moving. The idea of keeping things safe and being responsible has urged me to worked harder on this, through the mistakes I have made.

(alarm pics)

My development in time management has increased so much and I have my tutors to thank, previously I would be really lazy and be selective on days when I was in uni. However I had a wake up call and knowing that my future lies within university I had to stop being immature and start acting like a professional. This fixed routine of going to uni on time and staying after hours has made me appreciate the course so much more and has given me a big change in the way I organize myself.

In the begging of the course I was a quite shy and reserved person due to the new experience and not knowing anyone (not the typical j'nae). The constant crits, group work and presentations that we have been asked to do allowed me to be assertive and confident in voicing my ideas and opinions  This has not only helped me in university but in life in general for example relationships with friends, tutors and family. 

(university letter)

The independence I have gained through this past months has encouraged me in so many ways to work harder and reach the goal I intended to a year ago when applying to LCA. I have to stay focused although it's proved difficult and be positive.

• 10 things that you have learned about yourself as a designer. These should reflect your growing awareness of your own interests within graphic design as a subject, discipline and profession.

Initially when I started the course I lacked confidence about myself as a designer, due to only having a years experience of doing graphic design at AS level. In comparison some of my peers who had completed art foundations, placements and even had their own companies. I felt that my work could not be at the same standard but the time on course has taught me that it's not a competition, it's a learning and growing process for the individual. If anything having peers that have experience in certain sectors has allowed me to learn even more. I had never used Adobe Illustrator before and I created an alphabet design I was really proud of. As a designer I have to believe in myself in order for other people to, cause nothing is handed to you on a plate.

As a designer I am a typical perfectionist. I get really frustrated with myself when I can't make things due to the lack of knowledge on software or materials. My experiences on the course (good and bad) have taught me that it's not always about being right and it's okay to get it wrong. This is something that I have learnt  not to be so hard on myself and this has allowed me to grow as a designer. Illustration was one of my main weak points and I thought that this would hinder me as a designer. Being on the course allows me to see ways to overcome this, such as tracing and I created a really nice alphabet for my partner.

The course has literally opened my eyes to a new world of graphic design that I had never even considered. I remember writing in my personal statement that I wanted to be an art director for a magazine company, however the session for "what is graphic design?" has allowed me to see more avenues I could put my skills into such as product and packaging, information graphics and so much more. 

(pics of briefs)

The multitude of briefs have shown me what I don't want to do in graphics. This has also been a great learning experience as a designer and as an individual because it's made me realise you can't be good at everything! It's about finding your skills and honing them to the best of your ability.

I will continue to open minded on where my preferable's lie within graphic design as I continue on this journey. My main interests at the moment in graphic design is editorial and publishing design. On the course I have been introduced to so many websites where people have created really innovative and inspiring designs that you wouldn't necessarily see in your typical 'Hello' or 'Grazia' magazine. This has enabled me to see beyond the standard designs and taught me how you can play with colour, type and stock.

As a designer if I think of one good idea and run with it. This process has hindered me from seeing the endless opportunities I could create if I did some more initial sketches and developments. I think it's down to time management and I get sceptical weather I can complete work in time. To overcome this when I get brief I am going to start brainstorming straight away when my mind is open to it.

I have never experienced designing for a client who has specific requirements until starting this course. Requirements would include things like only using two colour plus stock. Although in the past I have found this very challenging to meet the requirements and be happy with it. It has taught me how to focus on my skills and how to capitalise on them to the best of my ability.

I remembered in my personal statement that I wanted to find my own house style so when people looked at my work they knew it was created by me. I still am finding my feet on where I fit in design wise, I know my strengths lie within editorial, photography, type and layout but the more I am learning about this the stronger I am in finding out how to improve on this. I would really like to work for edgy fashion editorial magazines.

Graphic design as all about sending a message and provoking a response, feeling or emotion. This is something I have learnt on the course and it's what gives the subject a purpose. I would initially create something that looked aesthetically pleasing but not really focus on what it was trying to communicate. I have learnt that simplicity and clarity is key. This has not only changed my thought process when approaching a brief but also the outcome.

Feedback from tutors and peers has been a major growing factor as a designers. Listening to other peoples views and comments on your work allowed me to make changes to develop them.



Lastly I have learnt how to be true to myself and the design. I am an individual with my own experiences and interpretations, so my work is going to be different to what someone else would think. I often compare myself to others which can be daunting but I have realised that weak designers copy and real designers create. I am still on this journey of what is going to work and what isn't which has allowed me to grow from my mistakes and find what I am interested in.