OUGD402 - Where Am I Now?

10 things that you have learned about yourself as an individual and as learner. These should reflect your personal development and individual journey since the start of the programme.

• Confidence

Since I started my time at Leeds College of Art I have improved my confidence immensely. Before my time on this programme I felt that my work was very similar in style and layout. As I did not know a lot about the practice of Graphic Design I became stuck producing the same type of design with the same typefaces and same layout. My time on the Graphic Design programme has helped me to produce work which is different in every brief. I was particularly pleased with my hand drawn typeface based on Laura Tomlinson. I felt that was my best piece of work I had produced since the time I decided I wanted to be a designer. Following on from this I experimented with the idea of creating a book which then turned into a deck of cards. In doing this I improved my skills on Illustrator and InDesign, software packages I had never used before. In doing all of this I have improved my confidence in my work massively.

• Independence

As I am 18 and from a small town I was always quite dependent on others (parents) to buy my food, wash my clothes, drive me around etc. Since moving to Leeds I have had to learn how to do all of the above for and by myself. This task I thought would a major weakness in myself but I have found the transition very easy and feel that I have adapted to independent living almost seamlessly. 

• Money

I have always been very sensible with money but since moving to Leeds there have been many opportunities to be reckless and splurge on things that I don't need. I have found that I have become very cautious when food shopping as that is the area where I spend the most money.

• Healthy Lifestyle

As a student it is very easy to slip into the typical stereotype of eating pot noodles and cold beans for tea but I have found that I have become very good at keeping my lifestyle as healthy as possible. This is mainly down to me being roomed with 2 other girls who have the same kind of mentality as me within all things. We are all incredibly driven and motivated which has helped me to keep on top of most aspects of my lifestyle without falling into a backwards step.

• Time management

I feel that I have greatly improved my time management skills and that this is helping me to mature. Moving to Leeds was a big step to take and in doing this there were certain risks that I could begin to manage my time badly. In saying this I am very proud to say that I have managed my time very well I think.

• Have Fun

Over the past few months I have learnt that getting stressed out about my work does not help my health. I have also learnt that I should not take everything so seriously. University is meant to be an experience which is remembered as a fun and enjoyable. I have realised this and feel that I have become a lot more chilled out and do allow myself time to relax and have fun.

• Routine and Rewards

I have come up with a routine which allows me to have an assigned time to relax and spend time with my boyfriend. As Wednesday is quieter than any other day I prefer to use this time to complete my work which enables me to have the night off. I also like to work all week which enables me to have my weekends free to go out with my friends, go home etc. 

• City Life

Being from a small countryside town I have enjoyed a change of pace by living in a city. Leeds is an interesting place to live and I feel that my moving here I have gained a certain sense of culture and society that I did not see when living at home.

• Socialising

I love to make new friends and have enjoyed meeting new people on the course and in Leeds. I feel that this has helped me to make friends for life and also to meet people who I might not have approached at first glance. 

• Graphic Design

Being accepted to this college was  a huge achievement of mine and has helped me to confirm that Graphic Design is the sector I wish to enter. 

10 things that you have learned about yourself as a designer. These should reflect your growing awareness of your own interests within graphic design as a subject, discipline and profession.

• Software

Before my time on this course I used Photoshop to produce every one of my designs. Since September I have learnt how to use Illustrator and Indesign which has helped me to expand my range further. Though I have only learnt the fundamentals of these packages I do feel that I am now confident enough to practice these and have done in previous projects.

• Type of designer

When I started the Graphic Design course I had little idea of what Graphic Design is therefore I did not now what kind of designer I want to be. Over the past few months I have experimented with different types of design as well as collecting a breadth of existing design over my PPP blog. Doing this has helped me to identify what type of designer I wish to be which also means that I can now focus my full attention on developing my skills within this.

• What is Graphic Design

During one of our first sessions with Fred we were asked to write down 5 questions which we wanted to have answered after our time on the course. One of my first questions was 'what is Graphic Design?' I feel that over the past few months I now understand what it is though I do feel that it still needs investigating.

• Less is more

During the course I was on previously I felt the need to over crowd my work with lots of different typefaces, colours and images. Since being on this course I have learnt that many of these traits were a sign of bad Graphic Design. I feel that I have developed into a better designer simply because I now understand the fundamentals of Graphic Design.

• Crits

Having never participated in a Crit before I found this experience very educational as well as helpful. I was very nervous when it came time for our first crit but on reflection I feel they are very helpful and enable me to gain feedback on my work from people who I would not usually ask.

• Self Evaluation

I have always been very critical about my work and can always find a weakness within it. After my time on this course I feel that I can evaluate my work effectively and identify the weaknesses and strengths.

• Critical 

After being on this course I have begun to notice the graphic design which is all around us. I have become critical of existing design as well as admiring it also. Stemmed from this I have also recognised the importance of following studios and designers to keep up with what is going on at the moment which I feel will help me massively when I come to enter the industry. 

• Drawing and Visual skills

I have always thought of myself as a weak drawer but after being introduced to some of the techniques designers use to communicate something visually I feel I have improved massively. 

• Group Work

I have learnt that Group work is both a blessing and a curse. I have encountered 2 briefs where group work was necessary and have been surprised and disappointed. Doing this has helped me to understand that not always will I get to work with people I choose.

• Research

I have learnt that research is a major part of Graphic Design practice. Before this course I would have used the internet as my main port of call for research. After a few sessions teaching us how to research correctly I feel that I now understand different ways of researching and can put them into practice.