Presentation Script

I have written a script for my presentation because I found it easier to get my ideas down in full sentences as if I was speaking it. I am going to stick to the main points I have made but am not going to follow this word for word because I dont want to be looking down at a script all the time. I am planning on taking flash cards but also practicing the presentation a lot so I feel confident when delivering it. 

Slide 1

Introduce myself. 

Slide 2

These are some examples of my work from the end of first year when ink and a brush was my preferred media choice. My work was very varied and I only really narrowed down to this style during the last few months of the year. 

Slide 3

This time last year I set myself some goals, mainly revolving around organisation, blogging and learning more about myself and the world around me. It will become clear whether these goals have been met as I talk about my experience of level five. 

There have been some projects that I have really got stuck into, some that I have wanted to avoid and others that have been a real challenge. It has definitely been a year of learning more about myself. 

Slide 4

In the process and production module we were forced to use print which was something I had very limited experience with. I was really happy with my outcomes seeing as I had never cut a lino before. One thing I do regret with this is the fact that they combine analogue and digital processes, the outlines were linocut and I added colour with photoshop using my own monoprint textures. I feel like I might have settled for an easy option too soon by using digital media, thats not to say I didn’t find the whole module really challenging!

During the research process, drawing around the theme of my author, Agatha Christie, worked really well for me. I was using my sketchbook as a tool to push past the cliche and come up with some imagery that visually represented the intangible. 

At this point in the year I was doing great with my blogging and I was keen to try new things and throw myself into new processes. However, I think I pushed myself too hard which I regret as it set me back later in the year. 

Slide 5

Responsive was a module with its ups and downs. Illustration Friday and the YCN Fever Tree brief were definitely my favourites. 

Illustration Friday gave me the chance to do something a bit different and fun each week, it was a breath of fresh air from my longer running projects. I tried out lots of different media and styles to try and get the most out of how open the briefs were.

Fever Tree was a brief I really enjoyed because I chose to work with pattern which is something I have had a growing interest in this year. Although I don’t think the outcomes I produced fitted the sophisticated requirements of the brief, it was a real learning curve for me and started to make me realise what I did and didn’t enjoy doing. 

Responsive was a key module that taught me how to juggle briefs. At one point I counted that I had nine briefs on the go in total, thats including work for other modules. It was stressful but I think I handled my time well. I met all my deadlines successfully but I know that I was being unrealistic when prioritising certain briefs over others.

Slide 6

Applied illustration was my favourite module of the year, and probably the best brief I have done on this course. I used the freedom of the brief to work with some intricate drawings, pattern design and working on my colour skills which I didn’t have a lot of confidence in. This was a choice that eventually happened after a lot of playing around with related topics, it took a while for me to trust my instincts and just run with it. I chose to tackle the issue of nature not being easily accessible to everyone, especially city dwellers, so there needed to be a way of bringing it indoors so everyone can experience its calming and relaxing benefits. 

This module clarified for me that product and packaging is the route I want to take forward to explore in extended practice in level six. I have really enjoyed working with pattern, getting to grips with colour and seeing how my work could exist in context. I feel like it actually has potential when I see it mocked up onto products rather than just existing in a sketchbook, I have definitely learnt more about the context within which my work can exist. 

Slide 7

Cop was difficult this year. I found the essay and academic writing tasks confusing and really challenging. I felt my work for this module was a bit disjointed. Having the sketchbook work running alongside my research and essay writing was something I really struggled with. My essay took up most of my time, in hindsight I chose a topic that was too broad which meant I was finding myself struggling to focus. I don’t think my sketchbook work had much impact on my final publication which is disappointing because this resulted in the imagery for my book being quite generic.

Despite this, I think my publication works well to challenge perceptions of what being British is and I am glad I managed to use some primary research to inform the backstories of my characters.

Life’s a pitch was a brief that I didn’t really enjoy as much as I thought I would. It is difficult working in a group, especially a group of creative people with loads of ideas. Its hard enough keeping myself on task let alone focus as a whole group. I think our team worked well together but we had many idea changes and struggled to be decisive which held us back in the long run. 

I had a similar attitude to the collaborative brief in responsive. I am a team player and I try my best for the team. I don’t want to sound like I never want to work with other people because I do, I just realised this year how much better I work when I am alone.

Slide 8

If there is one thing I can hand on heart say I don’t want to do again, its animation. 

My after effects work for the process and production module was terrible. I struggle to think sequentially and this was especially hard when none of the elements of my imagery for this project had much character or a sense of movement.

We made a stop motion animation for our collaborative brief for responsive which in my eyes wasn’t the best decision we could have made. Our skills were very limited in this area and we set ourselves a task that we didn’t have the time or skills to execute to a high standard. I don’t have any desire to work with animation, it doesn’t strike an interest in me.

Slide 9

Time management has been my major downfall this year, there has been a lot of work being done last minute. Last year I was so on the ball and at the start of the year, my organisation and time management were strong. To be honest, wearing myself out at the start of the year was a big mistake. I knew I needed to change my full speed ahead attitude because it wasn't sustainable but maybe I became too laid back just at the point where I needed to be finalising most of my modules. I really need to find a good balance between work and rest to be able to cope with the demands of third year.

I have learnt that I get distracted very easily and I have very little self control. This mainly happens during briefs I am not fully engaging with, hopefully being given a lot of freedom next year will mean that I should always be working with something that I am interested in. 

I’ve struggled this year with my confidence in my own ideas. I am surprised this has been an issue for me this year because in first year I felt like my confidence levels were boosted. However, I have found myself questioning my work and ideas and not trusting my own instincts. This is not a sustainable way of working. It has led to numerous idea changes in my projects and disruptions to my time plans. 

Organising the work I bring to crits influences the quality of feedback I get. It will serve me well to plan in advance what I want to get out of the crit and use this to decide what I need to show and focus on when presenting where I am at with a project.

I want to treat college more like a job next year, committing to more structured working hours. I will have to see whether this actually impacts my productivity or not because I sometimes find it really hard to work effectively in the studio. When it comes to blogging or essay writing, I have found this year that I need a change of scenery, going to coffee shops or working outside during the day has been really refreshing and the change has proved productive. 

Slide 10

I have learnt a lot about my practice this year and have a stronger idea of where I want to take it. I have realised I am interested in making work to be applied to products and packaging. I have a growing interest in pattern design and creating a body of work around a theme rather than everything culminating in one single outcome. I have learnt that quick turnaround briefs don’t allow me to play to my strengths as I don’t have the time to develop the work to the point of me being happy with it. 

This is my self branding for where I see myself now. I have used a drawing of some tree rings to represent my current interest in natural themes, I think it is simple enough to work alongside busy patterns and the colour can be easily changed to fit into an existing colour scheme.

Slide 11

I have definitely learnt a lot more about the context within which my illustrations can exist. I have found it interesting to draw parallels between mine and other illustrators’ practices and as a result, I feel more confident that I do have a place in this industry. These are some illustrators and designers that I think I share some similarities with and my ambitions align with their current practices. 

Slide 12

Looking towards the future, my long term ambitions are to work as a freelancer, potentially as part of a shared studio space. This mockup gives an idea of what my professional website could look like, I would want it to include an showcase of my work, links to my social media and blog and also have a shop so that I can make money from my own work as well as taking commissions. 

Slide 13

To get there though, I need to do a lot more work. Showing my work at Colours May Vary and Thoughtbubble Festival were both really good experiences and I know I need to do more things like this starting from now. I have organised to sell some work at an arts fair back at home over summer and I am really keen to get an Etsy shop up and running to gain some experience with selling online and hopefully making some money. 

Slide 14

These are my goals for next year. 

I need to get my confidence back and trust my own opinions and instincts. I know I won’t always have other people to rely on for approval. 

I need to improve my organisation skills and arrive prepared for crits and tutorials. Also organising my time well outside of college. I am really good at making lists and plans but I am losing the ability to stick to them which just makes them a waste of time. 

There needs to be a clear line between work and rest. I need a fully functioning on and off switch if I want to make the most of my time. I need to be strict on myself and work hard during work time and rest properly during resting time. 

I need to get myself out there, like I mentioned before, start selling and make sure my work is getting seen. 

Looking back over this year has left me thinking that I haven’t done enough drawing. I have been so consumed by research, essay writing, blogging, evaluating, etc, that I dont think I am drawing enough. This is ridiculous because it is so important! I want to get back into sketchbooks over summer and rekindle my love for drawing for enjoyment. 

Slide 15

Thankyou for listening. 

Any questions?

(10 minutes 30 secs)