Unit 6 Evaluation

To start thinking about what I wanted to progress onto after the Foundation Diploma, I conducted some research into different universities and what courses they offer that are relevant to me. Out of the research I found three universities that I would like to continue my studies in textile design. I have always wanted to progress onto university and go as far as I can with my education to give myself the best chance at securing a good creative career. I also visited the UCAS fair to further research universities and make sure I was making the right choices. This also helped me to discover other places of study that I maybe hadn’t considered during my online research. I also went on to visit my choices and see what the cities and towns were like so I could truly make an informed decision. I think that I have conducted enough research to make my choices well and fully understand the course content.

After the research, I started the UCAS application process. I found this process quite challenging. To get all the different sections and attach my personal statement etc, takes a long time and gets confusing every now again. I also found it to get repetitive with some of the information you have to provide. However, I managed to complete it and send it off before the deadline.

From the Application I have received three interview invitations from Manchester Metropolitan University for Textiles in Practice on 9th March 2016, Huddersfield University for Textile Design on 14th March 2016 and Nottingham Trent University for Textile Design on 16th March 2016. I haven’t yet been to the interviews but I have started to prepare my portfolio of my most recent work and relevant previous work to take to them. 

Whilst in the middle of preparing my portfolio, I am finding the whole process very tedious. Getting all of my work photographed to a high quality and printed nicely to present is a long process in which you have to be very meticulous. I have also found out that creating a portfolio of a high standard is proving to be quite expensive. Between purchasing my portfolio folder and getting photos professionally printed, I have spent quite a lot of my own money on this. Despite this though, the outcome is worth taking the time and effort to make it look professional and the universities will recognise that I have worked hard for this outcome when I visit for my interviews.

Unit 5 Evaluation

Research

To start off my project, I researched various different ideas and concepts that I could have pressured on the Victoria & Albert Museum website. From this, I looked at a some artists and designers to build up my influence. Though the research I carried out became irrelevant towards the middle of the project as I changed my ideas, it sustained by until that point. Despite this, I feel I could have done more to really broaden my range and make sure that I have covered all the possible outcomes. I didn’t look at any moving image artwork which I think could have been beneficial to my creative process; I didn’t consider this when I was researching but in my FMP I am going to make a conscious effort to find some film influence.

Development

At the start of my project I used screen printing, hand stitch, dry point, CAD, photography, image maker and free stitch embroidery as well as collage to experiment with my theme and develop my concept further. Alike the research, I feel I could have done a lot more experimentation with other media. If I was to do this again I would make sure to cover all avenues and produce work with all the techniques and processes that I know of. Although I haven’t produced a massive amount of development work, I do feel that is to a high standard. I feel that my most successful piece of work would be the hand stitch samples as this is what cemented my final ideas the the screen printing.

Time Management

My time management skills haven’t been the worst in this project however I feel I could have worked better with the 12 weeks we were given to complete this project. With proper planning and organisation, I could have arranged to, for example, prepare a silk screen and pigment dyes to produce screen prints as I only produced them 2 weeks before the deadline date which has stunted my development of these pieces. Should I have had more time, I would have been able to play around with scale and maybe produce more digital work in response to these prints. I am going to clearly list and track my progress in future projects and make an effort to plan more to get the most out of my themes and ideas and explore to the best of abilities.

Outcomes

I am really pleased with my outcomes and I feel that it is a good representation of my theme and is clear to see the message I was trying to convey. They are quite effective and the stark black and white print with the textures of colourful stitch works really well together. I particularly like the backs of the stitched portraits which are more my style; the messy textures and translucent unclear print I think adds to the theme further. The only thing that I would change if I was to do them again is get a larger screen to print on a larger scale. I would have liked to be able to do more stitching over the faces without drowning the print. I would have also liked to try and stitch backwards to have the rough, textured side on the strong print instead.

Blog

This year, I have found that using a blog has been a lot easier than using a sketchbook. Previously, I have always opted to use a sketchbook as I used to find them more visually inspiring. I have once before tried to use both a sketchbook and a blog but this was very stressful. However this time, using just a blog has been far better. I have managed to keep things up to date easily. It is also easy to go back, edit and update previous posts and show work to tutors wherever. I have found it very convenient as sketchbooks are very heavy and bulky to carry around and can be ruined really easily.

Conclusion

In summary, I am going to make sure to plan correctly and track my progress properly to reach my full potential within my final major project. Overall I think I could have performed better on this project as I don’t feel I have worked at 100% however, I have enjoyed working with the theme I chose of thought drawings and trying to create tangible emotions and feelings. I feel I have produced some good work and effectively used the available resources as well as my own knowledge.

Screen Prints

To further the development of the portraits, I decided to get the black and white photographs onto a silk screen.

I played about with different colours to print with and used the relevant colours that were available to me at that time. I was surprised about the successfulness of the yellow and orange prints. I thought the detail that the black dye had produced wouldn’t show with the lighter colours as the background is white but I think they worked well. However they aren’t as successful compared to the black.

Manchester Metropolitan University

I have visited Manchester quite a few times as it is one of the closest cities to Blackburn and already like the place and so choosing MMU as one of my choices seemed very natural to me.

Upon arriving, I noticed that the university is very large and the School of Art is its own self sufficient, state of the art, open plan building that has four floors. There were loads of facilities and the staff were also lovely. There were loads of students to talk to and they all said that working in such a creative and open environment is extremely inspiring. The building is also always open to the public so you can go and have a look around at any point.

I also went to the 2014 degree show which was amazing. There was loads of diverse work all from the course that I want to apply for.

The university is also the closest that I have looked at, being just under an hour away.

The accommodation however, is hit or miss. There are some lovely buildings and some awful ones which worries me a little as the place I am going to me living is quite important to me.

This is my favourite choice so far.

 

Huddersfield University

My initial thoughts where how odd that the university is quite large in a small town. The campus itself is quite large with its own Arts building.

The classrooms aren’t the largest but certainly seemed sufficient. The facilities seemed to be really good and the staff were really friendly and helpful. They had some previous students work on display which looked really professional and to a high standard.

There wasn’t really much around the University although there wasn’t much time to explore the town like I would have wanted to do to get a real feel of the place.

The accommodation seemed to be really really nice. There were two/three choices, one of which was a brand new build just a 10 minute walk away from the University and had lots of facilities on site. There was varying flat sizes including Studios which was quite important to me.

Another good thing is that it’s not to far from home. In the car it only took just over an hour, which is just the right distance from home that I would like.

Nottingham Trent University

When I arrived at Nottingham, my initial thoughts were of the city itself. I thought it was quite a lovely place to live. I really want to live in a city which is why I chose Nottingham as a choice. You University is quite large with lots of different building dotted about just a short walk away from the shopping centre.

Once I had arrived at the Fashion and Textiles building, I noticed that the layout was pretty confusing and had lots of rooms which lead to others etc. but the facilities are fantastic. They had large rooms full of specialist equipment and and lots of it too so I don’t think it would be hard to just arrive and start creating.

The staff and current students also all seemed lovely and friendly. The current students said that the technicians are always available to help and are really knowledgable. They also had a fabric and yarn shop within the building a discounted prices.

The only down side to the university is the distance it is from home. It took nearly 4 hours to arrive in the car and takes about the same on the train.