Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION
Leve l
04
OUIL402 Personal & Professional Practice Credit 20 s 1 End of Module Self Evaluation NAM E
Megan Swan
259646
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 This module has made me more aware of my personal and professional ambitions. Such as what it is I want to achieve over the course of my entire degree. I’ve been able to take elements of this course and apply it to real situations. For example, I’ve recently been collaborating with fellow students - some study here at LCA whereas some others study in London. I can confidently say that this module led me to accept their collaboration offers because this work is getting my name out there and simultaneously I benefit from the experience. 2. What approaches/ types of research have you found most valuable over this module? Why did they have such an impact? Over the course of PPP I’ve really valued using Pinterest as a strong foundation at the beginning of a project. It allows me to explore lots of different concepts and techniques quickly. Once I’ve decided which areas I want to delve into, having a Pinterest points me in the right direction to pick up some books from the library as well as potential field trips. This had a sizeable impact on my work, with hindsight I can see my practice developing and growing over the course of this module. Alternatively, Big Heads has demonstrated what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry. I particularly enjoyed the Big Heads with Studio Mama Wolf, the Illustrators were so positive and optimistic, and full of brilliant advice for how to start out. Each Big Heads excited me and served as motivation. 3. In what way has PPP informed the way your work in other modules and your illustration practice as a whole? This module, which has been running alongside all of the other modules, has really helped me to develop. I can see this clearly when I look back over my blog — my approach to primary research has taken a very proactive turn because I’ve realised that thorough research results in a bigger understanding, and thus work of a higher quality. For example, in Visual Narratives I delved into the research; I went on three separate independent field trips which informed my work and validated which messages I wished to convey in my work.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your PPP submission and how will you address this in the future?
I regret not spending as much time on PPP as I did on the other modules. I feel this happened because of the time span of the module — I didn’t use my time as effectively as I could have, if I were to go back and do this module again I would set aside time to focus on the module. I don’t think I had the stamina, I’ve noticed this in my other modules as well and it is definitely I need to focus more of my efforts on in the future. More consistent reflection on my blog I believe would have benefited me, thus in Level 5 I will set aside specific amounts of time on an evening (regularly) in order to blog i.e. self-evaluation — I will be able to identify which aspects I need to improve.
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? Professionally, I intend to focus a lot of my time over the Summer on collaborations with sighh.co. Since starting to work with this company, my confidence has skyrocketed which was definitely needed because I know that at the beginning of Level 4 I really did question whether or not I belong on this course. Now coming to the end of Level 4 I am a lot more confident in my practice. I not only owe this to the projects i’ve been focusing on outside of university but also the PPP module. It prompted a lot of self-reflection and evaluation — I learnt to be honest with myself. I won’t truly be able to improve and develop if I don’t embrace and admit that there are areas in which I am stronger than others. In Level 5 I wish to continue this further. Collaboration provides me with experience of live briefs and real clients. This is just as important to me as my course, but only equally so because they work well alongside each other.
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
Attendance
x
Punctuality
x
Motivation
x
Commitment
x
Quantity of work produced
x
4
5
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.
A copy of your end of module self evaluation should be posted to your studio practice blog. This should be the last post before the submission of work and will provide the starting point for the assessment process. Post a copy of your evaluation to your PPP blog as evidence of your own on going evaluation. Notes