This module is something which I have often neglected during the past year with focussing too heavily on my extended practice but without doing so would have no work generated fro my portfolio. Towards the end of the year I began to realise the importance of my own practice and how this relates to the professional industry. I should have found a better way in which to balance the too and this poor project management is one of the reasons why this module hasn't been as successful as I would have hoped initially.
Throughout the module I have gained developed massively as a designer and because of this my statement of intent has changed and developed over the months which I have shown and documented throughout the various presentations this year. This is something which took a long time for me and with this my confidence about my work and presenting this has grown. Confidence has also come later in the year from the positive feedback which I have received from a number of different studio visits. Most of the places I have been to have focussed on print and branding but at different scales. It has been good to see the range available in the industry and feel that I would be more suited now in a larger agency as I feel this would be the space which would provide the better opportunities. But also collaboration has featured heavily in my extended practice and a large agency would allow this to take place again but on a bigger scale.
Throughout my extended practice I have taken part in a variety of opportunities which have pushed my skills and techniques away from my comfort zone. This has been great in terms of my personal professional development as it has made me more open and willing to try new stuff especially those which are independently.
Contacting people in general is something which I have struggled with in life because my nature is so quiet and timid but this year I have again tried to push myself to do more. My job role within my part time job has also been extended which has allowed me to gain confidence when speaking on the phone. Although this is external to the course and the subject of design it is still a good skill to have the opportunity to develop and has made me more confident when approaching studios. Without this some of the studio visits which I did in Manchester would have never of happened.
During this module I focused on my self branding and promotion in order to make myself known within the industry. Along with this I have participated within exhibitions to improve my networking and brand name. My concept behind my promotional material is based around the skills in screen printing which I have developed over the year and my love for print. But also my personal design interests with the use of geometric shapes and iconic simplistic forms of typography. I extended the use of typography from my personal branding into a full alphabet during my extended practice module so this was a great opportunity to marry the two modules together, showing me who one does effect the other.
Unfortunately this year I haven't managed to secure a placement or an internship but have had various offers for further contact in the future when space becomes available. Although this has been a weakness for this module because I have been so slow at developing my self confidence and portfolio I am more determined now after several points of feedback and also confident that I will receive one in the near future and is something I am going to explore whilst doing my end of year show work. I have gained several points of contact which have said get back in touch about possible places at the beginning of June so this is exactly what I intend to do when the time comes. I have learnt from my mistakes about holding back on finding one. I am no longer afraid to approach people as I have nothing to lose.
Overall this year I have developed massively as an individual but also my practice. I am confident at my position within the industry and what I need to do next once graduated. Through this module I have realised my love for all things print, type and branded based and this is something to build upon, continue and begin to share properly with other professionals. This course has been one of the best experiences I have had so far because of the skills I have gained and the outcomes I have produced.
