Visual Language - End of Module Self Evaluation

1.  Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice?
I have learned some valuable Photoshop skills during this module, I had never really used Photoshop before so these workshops at the start of SB1 taught me some of the basics which I have continued to build on through projects later on in this module and in other modules. Using pure shape as a way of creating images was something I hadn’t really considered properly before. I think this has been important in the development of my practice because it has moved me away from always using line to build up an image. The mutants task introduced me to using photography as a form of illustration. I didn’t find this method particularly inspiring but it definitely made me think about the variety of less generic ways illustrations can be made. My skills in screen-printing have developed again since the one week book task in the visual narratives module. I am feeling a lot more confident with this process and would probably be comfortable now using the print room facilities by myself.
2. Which principles/ theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?
I think using roughs has proved invaluable during the SB2 part of this module. I have used roughs in previous modules but I think they have been especially important when considering the composition of a piece of work. I have become better and quicker at sketching out my ideas within a frame because I understand that these do not need to be neat drawings, as long as they are understandable and help me figure out the position of all the components in the image, they are doing their job. I think at the beginning of the module in SB1, I was really getting into drawing the same thing over and over again which was beneficial to my practice because it forced me to try different drawing techniques and media. Repeatedly drawing the same thing meant that I became used to the shapes I was drawing and I got progressively more confident with drawing the image.
3. What strengths can you identify within your Visual Language submission you capitalise on these?
I think I took more risks with my image making the SB1 sketchbook tasks and I should have capitalised on this by continuing with this level of experimentation throughout the rest of this module. I think the variety of media and tools I used during the first stage of this module really benefitted my image making and pushed me to think about mark making and quality of line and the effect these things can have on an image. The sketchbook tasks definitely helped to loosen my drawing style. I was very much in the mind-set that successful images were clearly representative of the reference imagery used but this module has helped me to use photographs as ‘reference’ and not just something to copy from. My final outcomes from SB2 feel a lot more informed and considered than any images I have made in the past, I’m not saying they are the best pieces of work I have ever made but in terms of and in depth consideration of composition I think they are the most advanced.
4. What areas for development can you identify within your Visual Language submission and how will you address these in the future? Experimentation slowed down towards the end of the module so I think in future I need to push myself to continue to draw things over and over again until I reach something I am happy with. I think I was too easily satisfied with my imagery in the last few tasks when I should have been challenging things and seeing how I could have done parts differently, experimented with more media and maybe referred back to the drawing exercises from the start of the module for inspiration. I feel I got caught up more in making roughs and most of my experimentation was related to my compositions rather than the physical methods of image making. This is only relevant to a few tasks during this module but I did leave some of them to the last minute and I know I didn’t produce work of a high enough standard for me to be pleased with. I think this was all part of getting used to juggling the different modules in the early stages of the course and I am already on my way to organising my time more effectively.
5. In what way has this module informed how you deconstruct and analyse artwork (whether your own or that of contemporary practitioners)? I think my ability to analyse images has definitely improved, particularly being able to point out the compositional devices used in the work of others. Before beginning the visual language module, I would be able to understand whether an image was pleasing to the eye or whether it made me feel on edge but I often found it difficult to specify the actual reason why. My improved knowledge of composition, frame, depth, line of sight and value have been invaluable to my overall understanding of analysing images. Because of this, I think I have become better at using compositional devices in my own work, particularly with line of sight and the use of foreground, mid-ground and background. I have become better at noticing which compositions are working during the roughing stages and I have more of an open mind when it comes to composing an image now because I have a list of things in my head that I know I can play around with to try and make my images more interesting.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance					X
Punctuality					X
Motivation				X
Commitment				X
Quantity of work produced					X
Quality of work produced				X
Contribution to the group			X
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self-evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.