1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I have developed my skills in researching. Learning how to effectively evaluate a discourse has improved the quality of my essay. My tone of voice has become less informal and my writing more concise. I didn’t know how to triangulate an argument before this module, which I have now practiced and applied to my essay. My written evaluation is therefore more reliable and informed.
I’ve improved my skills in image analysis, including how to decode and understand the intention behind a piece of work. As a result of understanding how other artists communicate their arguments, I have attempted to imbue meaning within my own work.
The essay required a Harvard referenced bibliography, which challenged me to refresh my knowledge of Harvard referencing and put it to practice.
I have also developed my practice of visual exploration by keeping a visual journal; this sketch booking process has directed my focus and given me a space to record my journey. I have used the journal consistently and I think the work I’ve made in it has improved since I started this module.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your practical outcomes?
Before this module, I could be quite lazy with research and rely on just one source, often using the internet, but I now value the variety of sources available to me and I have tried to make the most of them. I have used the College Library to investigate my subject and find books and journals related to my essay topic. I’ve enjoyed reading about the topic because it’s made me more knowledgeable and given me an opportunity to learn more about something I’m interested in. The more sources I’ve found, the better understanding I could gage of the big picture. I have found it interesting to see the opposing views of an argument and to try and decide my own opinion.
The internet has been useful because it has exposed me to a range of information that is unavailable in print form. I’ve found personal opinions, theories and studies through websites and Google Books.
I have also conducted visual research in Studio Brief 2. I have researched through the practice of making and playing. This has been a hands-on approach to primary research, which I’ve been quite explorative with.
I went on a field trip to Ilkley Toy Museum which was a great place to see sources in a physical collection rather than just a book or a website, which thus spurred my practical outcomes (TOYS and physical objects).
The information I have found also helped me to make work that stems from these real-world subjects. I’ve taken quotes from books and tried to tackle them with my visual journal. I don’t think I have actually solved any of these topical concerns (e.g. equality, political socialisation), but I have made work in response to the contextual world.
Looking at other artists has also informed my practical outcomes. I have investigated the work of Ed Cheverton and Alexander Girard, whose work explores similar themes. Seeing how these artists solve the same problem has shown me the potential for my area of work and where my practice could exist within the industry.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
The visual journal has been a really inventive and innovative journey for me. I have used this outlet to be curious in my making and exploring. Not having a final outcome has allowed me to work without limits or direction, pushing me to enjoy the PROCESS of making.
I am passionate about artists I admire. The interest I have for artists has made my work more interesting and I have explored a number of artists within this module who work with three-dimensional materials to produce physical illustration, so my practice/knowledge of practice is becoming quite broad (beyond traditional illustration).
My work has been self-directed and I have been motivated to produce work for my own interest and benefit.
I think that my blog has been used consistently and effectively. I’ve been quite reflective, which has helped me to identify issues/concerns.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I’ve found Context of Practice very stressful. It felt like a lot of pressure to produce a 3,000 word essay, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Next year I will try not to fret about it and just get it done. I wasted time by worrying about it and therefore lost out on valuable MAKING TIME.
I wasn’t sure whether the practical work I was making actually answered the brief and the idea that there is no ‘resolved outcome’ did baffle me at first, but I now know that the freedom of the module is a good thing and that the fun is in the process.
I don’t think that I have produced as much work as I could have. Due to the overlapping modules, I think I avoided COP to a certain extent until the other modules were over. I need to address my attention to COP and balance my workload better.
I don’t think the quality of my visual outcomes is great because I was focussing on the quantity and breadth of research rather than making a refined and finished piece, but perhaps by starting the practical work earlier I could have more time to make multiples of pieces and do more roughing in my visual journal.
5. Identify five things that you feel will benefit you during next year’s Context of Practice module?
I need to improve my time management by organising my studio development time and sticking to a plan. By working systematically like this, I will be able to keep on top of work.
Reflecting and evaluating the effectiveness of my work is making my outcomes stronger. Maintaining my blog and keeping it up-to-date with my progress next year will help me to see the journey I’ve taken and how I’ve overcome obstacles.
I found going out and doing primary research really helpful to give me a different perspective on issues than the flat sources in books and online. I want to do more of this next year, especially going out on field trips and interviewing people about the topic.
Although I think I have embraced my visual journal, I know that I can use it MORE to develop roughs and sketch out ideas in response to my research. I will use my visual journal more next year and take it out with me on location to these field trips in order to gather a larger quantity of practical work.
After losing bits of information, I’ve decided that I need to organise my printing and keeping all research together – I will use a folder and archive EVERYTHING I find.
I would like to be more explorative next year – to step out there and do something unexpected instead of playing it safe
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