OUIL501 End of Module Evaluation

End of Module Student Evaluation BA (Hons) Illustration Module Code: OUIL501 Context of Practice Name: Student ID: Please identify where the evidence for each of the learning outcomes is within your submission and how well you feel you have met the learning outcomes. Please also grade yourself in relation to the learning outcomes using terms: poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent (Note - This is so that the team have an understanding of how well you feel you have done. It is not an indication of the actual grade you may receive.)

Learning Outcome

Evidenced where?

Blog, Visual Journal, Roughs, Final Illustrations, Storyboards, Development Sheets etc. (No more than 75 words)

Your grade Using words: > poor, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent

5A1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the aesthetic, cultural, historical, technological, social, political or other contexts relevant to individual subject disciplines.

(Knowledge and understanding) (Research / critical awareness)

Demonstrated on my blog, mostly tagged under ‘OUIL501 Studio Brief 1’ as I conducted research prior to and during my essay about using colour as a visual cue to increase purchase likelihood, it’s also evident in the bibliography that goes alongside my essay.

Throughout the production of my visual journal I researched key theorists and creative practitioners, this is evidenced in the journal and under blogposts tagged ‘OUIL501 Studio Brief 2’

Very Good

5A2 Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship between the theoretical and practical contexts of their own creative concerns. (Knowledge and understanding) (problem analysis/definition)

Feedback I received in the last ‘Megacrit’ suggests that people could see an obvious link between my theoretical and practical investigations. Their comments are in a blogpost that is the fourth most recent on my Context of Practice blog. I regularly commented in my visual journal reflecting on how my work related to the retail industry and the psychology of colour, as I was interested in how designers and marketers persuade consumers to purchase items with colour.

Very Good

5B1 Evidence the ability to use logic, reasoning and critical judgement to analyse ideas from a range of primary and secondary sources.

(Cognitive skills) (Critical awareness)

Before I launched into the field of colour, albeit interesting, I was aware that it’s a relatively new field and there was not much research relating specifically to illustration. Because of this I had to adapt and use my cognitive skills to sift through broad amounts of research related to colour theory and perception, in order to determine whether it contributed to my project. This is demonstrated in my Final Essay for Studio Brief 1 and in blogposts, tagged OUIL501 Studio Brief 1.

Good

5C1 Evidence the capacity for undertaking practical and theoretical research that demonstrates an informed application of critical, effective and testable processes. (Practical and professional skills) (research)

Blogposts that decipher both old and Very Good contemporary colour theories informed my research more specific, recent studies and reports that relate more to my own field of illustration. This was a consistent process for me as I would make links whilst writing my essay for Studio Brief 1 and would have to continually be sourcing new research to support or contrast claims. By applying my knowledge to practical research, I could identify practitioners that utilised colours efficiently, which inspired my own practice.

5D1 Organise and carry out selfdirected projects and communicate outcomes through written and other appropriate forms. (Key transferable skills) (professionalism / technical competence / visual quality)

In my essay for Studio Brief 1, I began to identify Good successful and professional writing skills. I believe that I’ve showed my professionalism developing even more in Studio Brief 3 as I have begun to identify what I intend to investigate for COP3.

In my Visual Journal for Studio Brief 2 I have demonstrated that I am capable of leading a selfdirected project that correlates specifically with my theoretical body of work.

Summative Evaluation (See Evaluation Guidance on next page for more information) You are required to write a 750 word Summative Evaluation of this module.

Please type up your Summative Evaluation in the box below. Make a PDF of the document and post the PDF as your final post on your OUIL501 blog.

At the beginning of this module, I knew that I was fascinated by the ways in which colour can work, present itself and be digested by the reader. Through initial research I managed to highlight which areas I was most interested in; psychology of colour, product design and marketing techniques. However, I also began to realise that the field hadn’t been investigated as thoroughly as I’d previously imagined.

This presented itself with numerous hurdles, as I had to conduct lots of secondary research to be able to identify which studies were relevant to my project.

As a designer, colour is one of my main drives in the image-making process. This meant that I had the initial drive to get me going. The information I turned up inspired me invariably, I was learning so much about why people think and feel things (viscerally or consciously), and that there were lots of factors that impact a person’s reception of a colour or set of colours. Unfortunately, I feel as though this led to my first draft in Studio Brief 1 to have perhaps too much background information. Afterwards, I re-read it and I realised that I was trying to squeeze in the main body in fewer words than I’d used to give the background on colour theory. This taught me a lesson about countless proof-reads.

Therefore, I had to make informed, assertive decisions about the content of my essay. After my first draft I was more aware and evaluative; asking myself— yes this is interesting, but does it contribute to answering my question?

My primary research skills were not as well-practiced, I would say that I spent too much time on the wider reading and not enough time on practicing my own research. Perhaps I could have contributed to the field a little. This is something that I hope to pursue further and really focus on in COP3. As I outlined in Studio Brief 3, I intend to continue my learning by going deeper into the field, whilst focusing more specifically on the design aspect. Although I feel that the broad range of studies in my essay doesn’t directly relate to my illustration practice, I think that I have managed to make inferences so that I can apply what I have learnt to my design practice. I also believe that it makes a valid foundation for my own research projects in COP3, as I have identified what current studies are lacking, such as persuading readers to feel a certain way by using a premeditated colour palette in an illustration.

Prior to COP2, my written communication skills were okay but now I believe that they have developed hugely in terms of professionalism and coherence. A few of the key moments involve valuing plenty of proof-reading as ignorance is not bliss, and I was able to restructure my essay to make reading it an easier and more logical experience. I hope to continue these steps towards professionalism in COP3, applying what I have learnt and picking up even more skills. By producing the Proposal for COP3 I already feel as though my professionalism is of a higher quality as I have reduced the amount of waffle that I tend to leave in things; now I will be more efficient and consistent.

Marrying the two theoretical and practical sides of this project was difficult at times, as I had to investigate visually what I had been solely reading and writing about. I know that the constraints of Studio Brief 2 (A5 Concertina sketchbook) through me off for a while, which meant that I didn’t get going straight away practically. However, towards the middle / end of the project I started to value the benefits of the Visual Journal, which shows that in future I should be more open to new experiences. But once I had started the practical with full force I tried to ensure I was fully self-aware of my intentions and direction. I did this by frequently pausing and reflecting, be that on little notes in my visual journal or in blogpost form. Though, I believe that I still could have self-evaluated in more detail on my blog a little more regularly. For COP3 I intend to blog weekly on my developments in theory and practical.

Working through a self-led practical project for Studio Brief 2 was incredibly beneficial on reflection, as it’s pointed out lots of things that I can improve in COP3. For example, be more diligent and assertive with myself. I.e. get going on practical with full force straight away. I think this is going to be easier over the coming months after initial research as I already feel inspired by Studio Brief 3.

One thing I specifically intend to do differently in my next project is experiment with a broader range of colours and tones. Although I was able to evaluate how I can alter the reception of colour by limiting myself to three colours (altering texture, scale etc instead), I hope next time to experiment with more colours so that I can judge the differences in mood and atmosphere with different hues, as outlined in my COP3 Proposal.

Evaluation Guidance This should be a reflective summary of your experience across the module.

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How did it go? Where did your journey start, where did it end?

I knew very little at the start of this module. At the end of the module I feel that‌

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What learning took place? What was useful to you?

Be specific. New skills? New methods? New processes or approaches? Did you use the blog to reflect on your project development?

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What went well and why? What did you enjoy? What were you happy with as an outcome?

Be critical and analytical. Why did you enjoy it? Perhaps identify particular sessions?

This could be ideas, solutions to problems, studentship or research. How well did you use the studio? Did you invest enough time in the development and testing of your outcomes?

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What could you have done better?

What were the problems you faced? What did you do to try to overcome them? This could be in reference to studentship, organization or blogging as much as studio practice.

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How can you apply what you have learned here for future modules and projects?

Application and future thinking. Things you would do differently next time? What useful methods, processes and ideas will you take forward into the next module?

You may also want to consider: Self-questioning: How did your thoughts and opinions change as you progressed through the module?

Feedback: What other people (tutors and peers) thought of work and how you responded to that feedback?

Research: Did you use contextual research to inform your ideas, ways of thinking or understanding of the challenges set. This may include further research of your subject matter, slides from the presentations or use of the library.