Drawing. Why?
I can draw really well if I spend more time but there is no evidence of me being good at it in my sketchbook. This is a bit irritating as I my sketches are often quite scruffy compared to what I'd like them to be. Through doing my 5 minutes a day sketchbook I've found that I am good at either drawing abstract things from my imagination or from life.
3D. Why?
I wish I had done more 3D solutions but I guess it wasn't always appropriate to the brief.
Photography. Why?
Fine, I love photography and documenting both the beautiful and the beautifully mundane.
I've practiced photography since I was very young so feel comfortable with this medium.
Film. Why?
Not much experience of film to make me feel confident enoiugh to use it.
Animation. Why?
The same about film. Although I have done an animation short course I still do not feel entirely confident with this medium. I expect too much from myself and expect to be good straight away. I should try without fear. Besides this, stop fram takes so long and isn't always appororiate for the time limit.
Typography. Why?
I did my typography project on Microsoft Word. I would have liked to have had the patience to do typography on layout sheets but I like intantaneous results that can be altered quickly. I could still work with in a textbox and also test out which typeface expressed the phrase best. My tutors said I probably missed out on a learning experience from doing this; but I still learnt and taught a lot about the capabilities of Word. People were surprised that I created typographic layouts so well in such an awkward and seemingly limiting program.
Book arts. Why?
Really enjoyed the final putcome. Took a long time to make each book which I should comnsider next time I make one or more. I was interested in binding when I started the prokect and now notice how books are bound. I would like to make more books because I feel proud once I've made them and love the tactileness. I would get more feedback from a range of people next time I made one as the end results could have been improved during the production.
Words / language. Why?
They're very helpful to communicate your idea to the audience but feel annoyed with myself if the message isn't put across without them!
Research. Why?
Obviously the basis for a project to become substantial. It helps if the final outcome does not work well as you know you have a sketchbook of research and ideas to back it up. Research is without doubt inspiring and interesting.
1-day projects. Why?
I don't feel that there is much depth to the outcome (because there is a lack of research ) but I surprise myself that things can come out well quickly. Having been on foundation this has been a major part of my growth - realising that things can be done quicker has
2-week projects. Why?
Good, more time to experiment and consider all ideas but then again you feel like you have ages and maybe don't work as efficiently as you would if you knew you only had a few days.
Is it more important to you that your work is humourous, informative, shocking or beautiful? Why?
I don't think I'm very funny so I shouldn't try that! I think it depends - with the dead animal pictures - beautiful and shocking; with the facts project - informative and beautiful. But always beautiful, I think.
Is this a stupid question? Why?
No. It's probably a good think to consider this at the beginning of your project and also during to remind yourself of what is important to be communicating.
How interesting do you find writing a blog? Why?
I always find it interesting to reflect on any writing. I often forget things and sp to document my thoughts is very helpful. Even though my blog is very visual it still sparks memories of what was going through my mind.
Which projects have you enjoyed? Why?
Book arts was enjoyable as I really wanted to make something worthwhile. The fact that I would have to sell it was always going through my mind - and it helped because I could consider my audience as a consumer more than I have done before.
Which projects have you loathed? Why?
Typography was a bit monotonous, though visually interesting.
When presented with a brief, how do you get started?
More recently I have been conducting short interviews to gather ideas and information.
It's great to have input from others as it broadens your view of the project's subject and you are not limited to only the thoughts in your head.
Is this the best way: are there other ways to get going?
Visually listing ideas is a good exercise to start with.
Do you draw on all your resources? Where else could you look? What else could you do?
How much use do you make of the research you conduct?
I need to be braver - ask strangers, take photos without fear. Video my research; record voice memos; go out to appropriate galleries.
Which parts of your design or realisation process would benefit from greater attention / consideration?
More visualisation is sketchbooks; print final on better paper for the presentation on crit days.
Who do you go to for feedback during a project? What effect does this feedback have on your work?
I ask friends, family and tutors. It's helpful to get a broad range of feedback from different types of people. In the past I've been easily swayable by feedback. I should note down what they say more often to make an informed decision.
How do you feel about crits?
They've become a regular part of the process. I feel like I should choose my group carefully otherwise I don't get constructive feedback. They're only worth having if people are paying attention and are in good spirit.
How do you respond to positive feedback?
It relieves me. It's hard sometimes in foundation as you don't know where you stand and if you're actually doing well. Positive feedback revives you and makes you feel like the time you spent was worth it. And like youre heading in the right direction. However, there needs to be an equilibrium - negative and constructive feedback needs to exist for me to improve.
How do you respond to negative feedback?
In a positive way as I then know what to improve on. I don't respond well to non-critical feedback. If someone doesn't think it's working they should tell me why or how to improve it! Also, I can respond with disappointment in some cases - especially if I spent a long time on it and it's meant to be handed in in the morning (ie. no time to change it).
What use do you make of the feedback you receive?
If the feedback is given during the project I am up for changing and improving. However, feedback from end-of-project crits doesn't always get acted upon because by then I have started on the next brief.
What would you like to achieve in the course of your FMP?
I'd quite like to so a collaboration piece - to do something that attracts attention (ie. large and in the environment) - to be consistent and record things like feedback consisently - to record conversations too - to remember the breadth of 'research' - to be communcative - to always make beautiful things.
Where will you go from here?
I'll let you know :)
