Learner Book

con路tents 2. Aspirations & Knowledge - Things I wanted to learn and become throughout my first year 4. Revelations - Things I have realised about myself as a learner 6. Online & On Paper - Places I like to visit online & books I like to read to ensure I am up to date 8. Struggles & Weaknesses - Things that I have struggled with this year and would like to overcome 10. Grading - Discussing my grades; the good and the bad

as路pi路ra路tions 1. Successful 2. Create effective designs 3. Respected as a designer 4. More time efficient 5. Have a greater knowledge of design - In order to achieve these goals, I must: 1. Continue to experiment and develop my skills 2. Plan my schedule so that I can work to my potential 3. Look into more design studios and blogs 4. Keep motivated

knowl路edge 1. Typography - This is something a lot of designers are able to make into an art form which is something I would like to be able to do 2. Computer software - Being able to use computer software effectively will be a key part throughout my graphic design career 3. Printing techniques - This is another style that fascinates me and I would like to explore different ways of producing imagery 4. How design works - Knowing how design works will give me a stronger understanding of how to approach different briefs and tasks 5. How other designers work - This will give me a wider range of paths when exploring a brief as I will be aware of many different ways to produce artwork

rev·e·la·tions 1. Procrastination is a huge flaw of mine. I will put off doing the smallest of tasks for as long as possible; even getting out of bed ends up being a constant battle between myself and the snooze button. I must effectively counter this in order to progress as a learner.

2. I actually enjoy learning. Before coming to University I had never had to sit through lectures or long seminars where we would be given lots of information and expected to take it in; this experience has shown me that I actually enjoy learning and being able to improve myself as an individual and a designer.

3. My time management is almost none existent. Often I underestimate how long something will take me, or I will forget about something I have to do completely which generally results in me producing work I am not completely happy with.

4. In terms of my life in general I seem to have no sense of organisation or structure.

Nothing is ever simple; I manage to complicate everything through having no organisation what so ever. In order to progress to my full potential I need to ensure that I effectively structure my briefs and projects, making the most effective use of my time.

5. I get easily distracted no matter what I’m doing which usually results in me forgetting to do something or realising that I had started something hours ago that needs finishing. Again, this ends with me having to hand in work that I feel I could have done a much better job on.

on·line The internet is a huge database containing numerous websites and design blogs that allow you to update yourself on new and relevant design. Although I frequently visit many others, here are my favourites: 1. Pinterest - I love this website as you get such a broad range of visual culture all at the same time or you can narrow your choice by selecting certain areas of interest. I have used this website as storage for all of the inspiration I have gathered throughout my first year.

2. Designspiration - This website also has a very wide range of imagery, but is often of a much greater standard. Often when I was in need of some visual inspiration I have turned here and it is very rare that you come away disappointed.

on paper The library, both at Blenheim Walk and Vernon Street, have been essential for me throughout my first year. I have taken out many books, but these are my favourites: 1. ‘It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be’ by Paul Arden - Recommended by a tutor, I got this book out from out library and didn’t want to give it back. It is filled with little tips and tricks on how to become the person that you want to be.

2. ‘Symbol’ by Angus Hyland & Steven Bateman - I found that this book was hugely useful when looking into branding and identity. It has an array of different types of symbols that are used across the world.

strug·gles I have struggled with many things thoughout this year. These are the main ones: 1. Group Work - Before this course, I had never really done any sort of group work. At first I found it very hard working with other people as we all had our own ideas and ways of working.

Relying on people, especially when my grades count on it, is something I still find very hard and prefer to work alone where possible.

2. Workload - The workload on this course is massive and if you aren’t careful, it very quickly can become a serious problem. Many nights I have had to sacrifice sleep in order to get work done on time.

3. Time Management - If I had been more effective at planning and managing my time, I feel that I would have produced a lot more work of a much higher standard.

weak·ness·es 1. Organisation - I am not a very organised individual.

I think if I can resolve this issue I can produce more work at a greater level.

2. Time management - Again, resolving this issue will prevent me from running late on briefs or rushing work, making my work of a higher standard.

3. Written analysis - Keeping on top of all my written work is something I need to do as it helps me evaluate my progress.

4. Staying focused and driven - Often I am distracted by other ideas and I feel that I need to focus more on each idea and push how far I can take it before moving onto the next one.

5. Keeping on top of everything - This links with organisation and time management and will allow me to produce greater quality and a greater quantity of work.

grad路ing From the very start of the course we have been receiving constant feedback and assessment in order to understand how well we are progressing. I have increased slightly with each design practice module that I have submitted; I got a mid 2:2, then a low 2:1 and most recently a fairly high 2:1. However, I am still not completely happy with my grades. I know I could do much, much better which I find very frustrating.

Poor time management has been a major downfall within my first year, preventing me from getting the grades I know I could achieve if I had really put my mind to it.

1. My first module was graded at a mid 2:2 which, looking back, I feel I was lucky to get. Almost all of the briefs contained within that module were left until only a few nights before they were due to be handed in. The work I produced for most of this I am not proud of and would not particularly want people to see.

2. My second module was a great improvement but still not even close to the kind of grade I know I am capable of achieving. For this module, I realised where I had gone wrong in the first module and began to correct this. I put much more time into my projects and tried to ensure that they were done to a higher standard.

However, my time management was still not as good as it needed to be and aspects such as documenting were left until last minute once again.

3. The most recent module that I submitted, in which I received a high 2:1, was much better. I structured my projects better and was able to get the vast majority of things done in good time. However, all of my projects lacked good evaluation and experimentation which was my big downfall. Knowing this now will allow me to progress further in the future and hopefully achieve the grades I know I should be getting.