PPP End of Module Self Evaluation

1.  What learning have you inherited through this module and how has it impacted on your own understanding of professional practice? Consider yourself as a student at University as much as an illustrator.

Before starting the course, I knew I could draw but I didn't know if I could illustrate - this is something I’m still battling with but I have now learnt what illustration actually is which is a good start to understanding how I can relate my practice to this. I have received lots of good advice this year, both from tutors, peers, visiting professionals and from the big heads sessions. Its been really helpful to get an insight into the professional world and start to pull together an understanding of what to expect after I finish my degree.

I have learnt things about myself as part of this module. PPP has forced me to think about my likes and dislikes and thoroughly consider my true strengths and weaknesses. I think I’ve still got a long way to go before I truly know the direction I want to take my practice but I have thought about it more this year than ever before. My aim for next year is to take what I find out about myself and make it evident in my work.

Outside of the course, my general life skills have improved. I have learnt that it is important to look after myself better by eating well and getting enough sleep because it makes me more productive during studio time and I get less stressed out because I’m not feeling tired all the time. Also, balancing uni work with tasks such as cleaning, food shopping, laundry and taking time to visit home has forced me to organise my personal life more effectively. Balancing workload and personal life is something professionals all have to battle with so its good that I am learning this now.

2. What approaches/ types of research have you found most valuable over this module? Why did they have such an impact?

My research into the work of other practitioners through blogs and sites like Pinterest have been valuable to my work this year. Even just browsing through these inspires me and I can see this coming through in some of my work for other modules. I need to get better at blogging my ongoing research because I often forget names or websites which makes them difficult to revisit. I think my research into other practitioners’ work had a big impact on me because it was about me finding work that I genuinely liked and wasn't just something that tied in to a brief. Looking back, I feel I should have spent more time doing this because it will shape my interests and practice as a whole.

Research of the outside world has had an impact on me because I have started to realise how many examples of illustration there are all around us. This fills me with a bit of confidence but I still know that it is a very competitive industry. Finding out about where illustration can exist gets me in the mindset of thinking where I would want my work to be which is a key thing to consider as I move into second year.

3. In what way has PPP informed the way your work in other modules and your illustration practice as a whole?

It has made me more aware of the work that is already out there and I have sometimes pulled across some research or inspiration from a practitioner from PPP into another module such as visual communication.

It was because of PPP that I realised digital skills are essential in the creative industry, and so I made an effort with Photoshop to become competent with using it. My awareness of the creative industry still needs a lot of improvement but small realisations like this will all work together to make me a more rounded and adaptable practitioner.

I feel that I have learnt a lot about myself in this module. I am starting to understand the way I think, work and organise myself. This has a big impact on my other modules because I am starting to work in a more methodical and effective way. I hadn’t really taken the time to think about this in much depth before but writing lists in the PPP sessions about things I want to improve about myself made me realise where my downfalls lie. I have tried to tackle them during my other modules, for example, avoiding distractions, not leaving things to the last minute and eating healthier. I am slowly starting to understand how I work best and it is resulting in my work being completed with lower stress levels and less rushing.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your PPP submission and how will you address this in the future?

I need to research other practitioners more frequently and blog about them more effectively so I can revisit them if required for other modules. I haven’t really explored a broad range of practices this year, only really illustration, art and film. I would like to become more aware of other disciplines to give me a wider knowledge of the current creative industry as a whole, I would be interested in exploring graphic design, surface pattern and architecture in particular. I also think I need to sometimes take a step back from my work in other modules and use what I have learnt in PPP to evaluate how I am progressing and what I could change to make things go better.

I feel like I haven’t been out enough this year to galleries, exhibitions and events. I would really like to get more involved with the creative scene in Leeds and also visit new places. I have visited numerous cities this year but I haven't taken advantage of my time there to do drawing so I would really like to do some drawing from observation wherever I go in the future. I hope to do lots of this when I visit Budapest, Vienna and Prague this summer.

5. What communities of practice and professional contexts do you intend to investigate further as you approach level 5? Why do they appeal to you?

I want to explore reportage illustration more. I think my book about human trafficking in the tea trade for the visual narratives brief sparked my interest in this and I would really like to see how I can use my work to target world issues and highlight their importance. It would be important to get emotion across with topics like these which is something I really want to work on next year.

Textiles and sewing is a hobby of mine but I have realised that I have totally avoided incorporating this into my illustration practice this year. This wasn't intentional and I think it might make some visually exciting outcomes if I combined drawing and textiles, it might also help me bring some of my personality into my work.

I have watched a lot of films this year and I want to continue this and see how this can impact on my work. I am particularly inspired by the Wes Anderson films I have watched so far and the strong use of composition in his frames. I am keen to explore how techniques used by other directors could influence my practice.

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.