5th January 2014 - STUDENT SELF-EVALUATION FORM

NORWICH UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

STUDENT SELF-EVALUATION FORM

Nathan Mison

                                                                                                                                                      

Student Name:

BA 4: Focus 1

Unit title, number & credit rating:          

Jill Rodgers

Tutor(s) Name(s):

04/01/2014

Date:                                                     

Please think carefully about how well you achieved the Learning Outcomes for this unit and write down your strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for future development for each one.

1.   LO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key principles of, and context for your subject.

Strengths: In the first project of BA4 I believe we all worked together well as a team. We got on and even though we had very different styles of working, we managed to get each of us to play to our strengths and create a final print which I think reflects and appeals to all of us. In both of the projects the use of digital skills was key to the creation of the final outcomes. Although I was a little confused how to link the photoshop skills to my work I definitely think I was getting there towards the end of the projects after re-thinking my approach it them. Weaknesses: In our group print I would like to have contributed more to the drawing element of the designing the original print. Due to illness this was not possible, but I feel I missed out a little, only contributing some of the smaller gap filling drawings. In regards to the use of digital means of creating pattern, I have used them to best of my ability, which I feel has grown no end in the workshops and experimentation, however I did find it hard to balance the drawing and digital designing. I think more drawing was definitely needed. Opportunities: Given the opportunity to do a group project again, I definitely want to contribute more, so I feel the work is more of my own. In terms of the skills learnt during this project, I am certainly looking forward to there being a lesser strain on having to use Photoshop, so I can begin to experiment with its use, combining it with other ways of working.

2.   LO2: Apply concepts and principles associated with the subject to a range of professional contexts and environments.

Strengths: During both of the projects in BA4 I have been involved in research from and variety of sources. This has helped inform my work and how I intend to work in the future. Research is something which I now realise as invaluable, I just wish I had have realised this earlier on in the project, as well as drawing this makes the backbone of projects. Sure pattern making and digital skills help, but the core is research both visual and textual. My market research has helped me to realise that the work we are doing is valid and following the trends of fashion.  Weaknesses: I think, like mentioned above, one of the main problems with this project is that I did not realise the importance of research earlier. I was engaged in research, but I wasn’t putting it to good use. Another one of my downfalls is not being organised enough to visit many exhibitions. This means I didn’t see much work first hand, which I feel is an opportunity greatly missed. Opportunities: I shall definitely carry on realising the importance of research and continue to use it to aid me throughout this project as well as in the future. There are so many different opportunities for research out there. Now I have realised its importance, I don’t think I could manage without it!

3.    LO3: Identify and evaluate the key methods for finding information and problem-solving relevant to your subject area.

Strengths: I have been able to keep on top of my sketchbook work. Similar to previous work a great deal of my PDP is embedded in my sketchbook though the annotations. Although they are not the most thrilling of reads, they display key information behind a lot of my work, how I created it and how I intended to improve it. Weaknesses: I believe that in this area, my PDP is absolutely atrocious this project. I am definitely going to use a blog as a form of recording my views in the future. It was hard to keep track of my PDP and although I enjoyed writing it at the start, found it was very time consuming. From the start of the beginning of the second project I began to use the blog more, so my PDP is a little sparce in places. This is an area of my work I definitely need to set aside more time to focus on. I am a little annoyed because even though I am in my second year, I still haven’t grasped it yet!! Opportunities: I think that now there is an opportunity to really use the PDP form wisely. Now I am sure that a blog works best for me, I need to allocate a time everyday where I sit down and write the blog. If I can get into the habit of it, then I think it will be a lot better.

4.   LO4:  Communicate your work and ideas clearly to a range of audiences using image, text and spoken word.

Strengths: I feel that reflection has been a large part of my learning through this project. Once I had looked back over the work I had created, I knew that I needed to change things around because it wasn’t working. I know that is not the best work I have produced by far, But I feel it has been the most valuable in terms of learning and developing the way I work. Weaknesses: Even though I have not completed it yet, I feel that the presentation may be one of my biggest downfalls. I have spent time writing out everything I have to say, explaining my journey through this project and reflecting on the way everything has gone. Once again, my reflection may be a little blurred because of the sparce PDP entries. Opportunities: I think the PDP format will be the largest tool to help me in the future to reflect on what I have created through my project.

Overall Action Points: (to be discussed and agreed with tutor)

Signed (Student):................................................ Signed (Tutor):..................................................