Ana Silvia Hernández Balcázar Reflective Journal Developing Professional Practice
Reflective Journal
1.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
1.1 Awareness of diverse & global range of design cultures & languages I am aware that globalization has changed the interior design industry. I have the advantage of speaking 3 languages and having lived in countries with completely different cultures, this has allowed me to be aware of the importance in the range of design among cultures and languages, and to have the required skills in this particular area. 1.2 Experience of design research, analysis and synthesis My strength is researching because with my university’s library I have complete access to the finest information on interior design. The problem I encounter is that this books are written in my second language and for analyzing and synthesizing it gets more challenging, but as time goes by and I do more research is improving every time. 1.3 Visualising/Prototyping skills & aptitudes in a range of media & formats My biggest strength is in this particular area, for me it feels very natural to visualize my ideas and then make them become prototypes. It will be very helpful to acquire the professional technique, to make reliable, first-class prototypes. 1.4 Aptitude in compiling interim & summative design presentations I do not have a lot of experience on this area, and presenting my ideas beforehand is usually difficult. When I have an idea on my head, I only like to show it when it is done. However, assignments in university have helped me to make provisional presentations that aggregate to my projects. 1.5 Aptitude for designing through a digital platform I am very competent with digital platforms, even if I have never used them. I am very competent with Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD and Google Sketchup and can make designs efficiently on them, improving every time I use them. 1.6 Knowledge and Experience of process, component & production technology I have the knowledge in this area, but I lack the experience on it. Processes are my biggest weakness and I need to start researching on component and productions in the design industry.
2.
PROJECT PROCESS
2.1 Experience of design process & methodologies I have acquired knowledge and experience while completing my projects through my years of studying Interior Design and Integral Design from the idea until the final product/project. This has allowed me to familiarize and complete processes and methodologies; further work will give me more experience on this field. 2.2 Experience of team leadership & management Personally I have a very hard time when it comes to teamwork, because I find that not everyone puts the same effort into it, and since I am a perfectionist I usually end up doing most of the work. I need to learn to delegate and motivate co-workers by doing so with the team projects we are assigned in classes. 2.3 Experience of costing projects & fee negotiation I have no experience on this area, but I have made some research to find appropriate fee structures according to my target market. I have seen many examples of projects that actual designers have made with detailed descriptions of the services provided, costs, options, etc. so when I actually start working I will do more research in the field. 2.4 Experience of planning & managing project activity I am very organized before starting a project and I like to have everything in order before starting a project. Planning and managing has helped me develop my projects accurately and prepare for unforeseen events. 2.5 Experience of managing client relationship & collaboration With no professional experience, I have never treated with clients. I know that this course and the professors with their experience will help me to better understand their needs and how to collaborate with them. 2.6 Experience of a wide range of projects types & scales of innovation I am very creative and can easily adapt to diverse projects. I have no problem with innovating and every personal project I develop is usually different. I find the Internet is a great design resource for new inspirations; there are essential sites, blogs and links that help me through this process.
3.
ENTERPRISE & MARKETING
3.1 Knowledge of design sectors & creative industries I often purchase Interior Design magazines and constantly read design sites to be up to date in the new tendencies, challenges and demands of the design industry. I will keep up with this habit to be able to offer innovative and creative ideas to my projects. 3.2 Experience of project procurement & client consultation I haven’t had any professional experience in the field; therefore all the projects that I complete have been merely personal. Yet I understand the most important part professionally is acquiring new projects and treating with clients. I tend to make a list when I graduate of the people, firms and clients that I would be approaching for new projects, as well as going in depth with an article in ‘The Business of Interior Design’ site that goes into how to engage financially with clients. 3.3 Experience in planning continuing professional development I find as time goes by I am preparing to develop more professionally. I have a clear plan of how I want to initiate my professional career in order to become the Interior Design I want to be. Finishing the two years remaining of this course will for sure help me complete this plan. 3.4 Experience & understanding of legislation & regulations Since I have not put into practice professionally any of my designs, I have no experience nor understanding on legislation or regulations. I would have to go deep into research depending on the project of development. 3.5 Experience of design budgets & account management Managing budgets or accounts, is not a personal strength. I do not tend to plan budgets even for my personal finances, although I understand its immense importance. I need to achieve this with practising management of my personal accounts and of making draft budgets of different projects. 3.6 Experience of design practice marketing & promotion The marketing and promotion in design are fundamental. Since I do not have professional experience I have not explored this area, but I tend to do a lot of online PR through industry portal representation, personal e-mails and the social media. I will also look for partnerships by co-branding with other companies in the industry and also trusting in the word of mouth recommendations.
4.
VALUES & VISION
4.1 Understanding & practice of ethical business standards A code of ethics is fundamental and I am very keen on learning more about it to be able to handle business professionally, fairly and legally not only with clients, but also with co-workers and suppliers. 4.2 Subscription to policies & standards of ethical design Personally I am a very committed with the environment. Therefore I will for sure comply with design standards and policies that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. I even plan to do a masters degree on ecological design when I graduate to design things that integrate better with living processes. 4.3 Commitment to & understanding of the imperatives of professional practice I understand everything I have learned is preparing me for the professional practice of my work, which implies many commitments. I plan on doing further research with a book I found: Professional Practice for Interior Designers by Christine M. Piotrowski.
4.4 Awareness & appreciation of key design futures &innovation trends In this globalized and modernized world I understand the importance of innovation and a futuristic vision in the interior design industry. I am subscribed to a number of design magazines, and weekly do online research on the most influential blogs and sites. Continuing with this practice will allow me to be updated on the tendencies and with some success, ahead of them. 4.5 Commitment to the advance of design knowledge, expertise & value I know that just with the course will not be enough for me to become an interior designer. There needs to be a commitment with my profession in order to continue with research, acquiring knowledge, expertise, compromising with values and ethics and always try to go a step forward. I have been trying to do this since I started my studies and will assure to keep on doing it. 4.6 Awareness & practice of user centred design I understand as an interior designer, clients will be trusting my work in their most precious spaces (home, work, etc). Therefore I am aware of the importance of understanding the end-user’s needs and wants, and will certainly keep that as my main objective.