How have I got here?

In the first pages of your reflective journal, visually describe your feelings about:

Drawing. Why?

• Small sketches (A5) - I love it. I believe I am quite successful in putting down and communicating my ideas in this way.

• Large scale drawings (A1/A2) - I don't like them. Since it is a struggle for me to make them I am believe I am not very good at it as well. I believe I can make the best of them and it is a waist of time.

• Solution to large scale presentation sheets - design sheets. They are fragmented, normally drawn on separate smaller sheets might include photography or material samples. I enjoy making them however need to improve my design sheet durin FMP.

3D. Why?

• I like working in 3D because I enjoy making things and trying out new methods and processes. 3D models let met better communicate my ideas, demonstrate conceptual design or put my design into context. At the moment, I believe I am in learner/explorational stage of working in 3D. They are still many things to lear about processes and materials, about glueing, cutting and etc. I believe my making skills improved significantly since the beginning of the course. I will continue practising and improving my skills as I find them crucial for my future studies. I believe my FMP will have a lot of pieces in 3D.

First attempts to make 3D structures.

Even though I liked the concept of modular design (7sites) lack
of making skills ruined the project.  

Different/experimental attempts to create 3D structures later on the course.

Photography. Why?

• Even though my photography skills are rather poor I find it crucial for all my projects. It is inseparable part of documenting work and tracking progress. It comes very handy for presentation as well. Whilst on the site (on field trips) photography is a good way to explore the area, observe and document details. If photos are taken carefully and with reasoning it makes you think, it might even lead into ideas for projects.

Film. Why?

• to watch - absolutely yes! It is a nice way to spend you free time whilst getting inspired (if it is a good artsy movie)
• to create/use for documentation etc. - hard to tell as I have never tried it.

Animation. Why?

• I like to watch it not to make as it is not really my thing to do. Since I am on design pathway animation does not relate much to my work.

Typography. Why?

• Haven't really tried it so I cannot tell how I feel about it. I believe it doesn't closely relate to my work.

Words / language. Why?

• Always comes in handy. Useful to communicate ideas, make notes, annotations, descriptions. I believe I use it quite a lot but I still need to learn how to use it better to make annotations or to write reflections or evaluations.

Research. Why?

• I love researching. I find it both very interesting and helpful. It usually informs my practical work. The only thing I am not keen on is presenting my research. 

Image found on google that inspired me to trie out mapping

Tord Boontje creation that inspired me to try out netting

Using different processes. Why?

• I like it. I enjoy trying out different processes because it lets me develop my skills and make more interesting/ better presented models. Different processes let me create various new approches and outcomes.  
• I wish to have more workshops on the course. This would let me learn or try out more different processes. Workshops that I had so far encourage me to try out weaving, netting, and experiment with paper.

Experimenting with paper

1-day projects. Why?

• I don't like them as I think there is not enough time to produce or develop anything. 

2-week projects. Why?

• I would rather have longer projects. I prefer long projects as I have more time to develop my ideas. I get more engaged in longer projects.

Is it more important to you that your work is humourous, informative, shocking or beautiful? Why?Is this a stupid question? Why?

• It is not a stupid question it just doesn't apply to my work. It is important that my work would be original and innovative. I want to create something that other would use (in the future). 

Starting points for consideration:


How interesting do you find writing a blog? Why?
Well, it is not too interesting but I think it is very handy for reflection, presentation and showing the development of my project. That why I decided to use it for my FMP.


Which projects have you enjoyed? Why?
Platform,Reuse/Remake. I found these projects challenging and engaging. I believe I was quite successful with these projects that might be the other reason I liked them.
I also enjoyed working with furniture, I enjoyed the ready made concept that I had to change things given and not to start from scratch. I like the Platform because we had an actual site to respond to. 


Which projects have you loathed? Why?
X-Mas project and DNA project. I didn't get inspired and engaged to DNA project. I was interested in x-mas project however I just got stuck with my work and after that everything just went wrong. I believe I got stuck as I tried to come up with perfect very advanced design. I should have made simpler designs. This could have been a starting point for more complex models. I believed I learnt my lesson and I won't make it again.

When presented with a brief, how do you get started?
I normally start researching suggested artists/designers that gets me going. If I get a place or a thing with a brief I start sketching or taking pictures of it. I analyse the place or object whilst doing it.


Is this the best way: are there other ways to get going?
I believe it is a good way as it worked for me in all my projects. I think I didn't have any problems at the start of the project.


Do you draw on all your resources? Where else could you look? What else could you do?
I believe I should do more research outside my laptop. I should visit more galleries or other sites. I should interview people and read articles about the subject. My research is visual only and it would be nice to get some written/spoken information. I could use books and magazines more.


How much use do you make of the research you conduct?
Normally research is vital for any project. It either gives me a starting point or informs my ideas at later stages. Therefore I use almost all my research.


Which parts of your design or realisation process would benefit from greater attention / consideration?
The "middle stage" of the project. Where ideas need to be developed into several directions but not to final outcomes yet. Design sheets and presentation in general would improve with more attention.


Who do you go to for feedback during a project? What effect does this feedback have on your work?
I ask my friends and my tutor for the feedback. All the feedback affects my work significantly as usually it just proves the points I was considering before. I also get some useful suggestions that help develop/improve my work.


How do you feel about crits?
I do not like them but still it is necessary as I get a chance to compare my work to others and get feedback on my work. I also benefit from giving feedback to others.


How do you respond to positive feedback?
It is always very nice to get some positive feedback. Usually it is very empowering and gives me new energy for new projects.


How do you respond to negative feedback?What use do you make of the feedback you receive?
Even though it is very disappointing, I try to follow all the advice and guidance given in the feedback. It helps me a lot to improve my work and realise how I am doing compared to others.




What would you like to achieve in the course of your FMP?

I would like to improve all my skills, especially the ones that are not developed enough yet. (I made a list of these skills in other post.) I hope to gain more knowledge on the subject as well as more experience in making and other processes. I am looking forward to exploring new methods and visiting new places. I hope this project will be a nice add to my portfolio as well. So I hope to grow as a designer.