ESSCA - A Graduate Portfolio

Graduate portfolio - review and reflection

Creating my portfolio as my degree comes to a close has been a real highlight for me. It is rare that I see all of the work that I have produced together in the same place and through completing this task I can finally see some synergy within my practice and my approach to creativity.

Although diverse, each piece of work or project showcased has a strong consideration of colour, composition, format and quality - a result made possible through various methods of research both practical and conceptual which underpins my practice. My portfolio best reflects my diverse skillset and is appropriate for a graduate degree show - showcasing what I can do and what I feel are my strengths.

Curating my portfolio was difficult however, I have realised throughout my modules this year that my exploration and experimentation often leads me to to create multiple pieces for a project - spanning many potential avenues and I feel being critical of my work at this penultimate stage has given me insight into where my practice could potentially fit within industry.

I hope my decision to include a breadth of work and display my varied skillset will be well received. For Hanbury and D&AD however I would like to include information at the bottom of each page with regards to what the piece is, its size and the media - to highlight what may not be apparent from a single image of my work.

PP3 Presentation and Script Notes

PP3 Creative Presence

Degree Show Specs

As things have been a little manic towards the close of this year and to help with the preparation and hang of the show - I drafted up some little spec sheets to be considered whilst the show is being curated.

I found this beneficial as I could carefully consider what work I want in the show and explore potential hang ideas visually, so that the tutors curating the show can see what I have in mind.

ESSCA Website - Reflection

Ok so its nearly there but not quite. Becoming recently bogged down in COp3 and then EP3 - i haven't been able to spend the time uploading smaller images to my site and updating the information site wide.

This is a little upsetting after all of the work my dad and i have gone too to have my site ready for this module submission and also the degree show. I don't want to rush this though as I am still getting used to the wordpress admin platform and all the widgets and plug in and could potentially make mistakes causing set backs in the long run. 

I WILL have my site complete and live ready for Hanbury and D&AD in July. I wont feel ready to attend and network without it and i am so excited to launch and showcase my work and skills to the masses. 

Editions: COLOUR - Reflection

A pivotal moment for me across the whole of this year and potentially the whole course was the realisation of my Editions: COLOUR project.

Up until this point I had rarely seen all my work together in one place, lacking confidence and tending to make work, hide it then quickly move on with the hope of creating something "better".

My passion project for EP3 however allowed for me to create work with no set final piece or collection in mind. This reduced the pressures I put on myself and gave me the opportunity to make mistakes and develop my understanding of COLOUR as a subject in its entirety.

The reason this has been so crucial to me is the sheer enjoyment of creating for my own self worth and relief from other stresses. I have used this project as a means of escape and quickly it became a personal project I couldn't wait to return too.

Towards the end of EP3 I decided to gather all of my hidden work and have a mini exhibition on my home studio walls - to review and reflect upon the journey of the project as a whole. To my surprise seeing all my "passion" work together like this stirred something in me which I can only describe as sheer joy. It is often I like what I see when reviewing my work - but this project screamed happiness and a care for a subject I have a lot of interest in. 

My use of shape, layers, composition, media as well as a consideration for the COLOUR theory I have been experimenting with and getting to know - ultimately produced a really interest vibrant personal body of work which i FINALLY feel connected to.

This work is mine, it reflects me and the area of my personal practice I am continuing to develop.

I have never been so happy about my work. YAY!

PP3 Presentation & Practice Planning

To help me visualise my presentation and think cohesively about its content and delivery, I created a storyboard and notes print out / template which I have been populating with slide ideas and script scribblings as I go along.
I have found this process really helpful due to the closeness of both PP3 and EP3 module hand-in's and my tendency to lose stuff, be frantic and experience sheer panic towards the closing stage. 

Confessions about my practice and approach to new briefs / creative projects 
(that could do with some improvement):

• I often get confused with "my journey" across this course. Work gets completed, notes get made - then somehow lost in the ether of either my mac or studio drawers never to be seen again. When I do come to finding the key work for submission, I am then unsure of where it should fit / appear relevant and the task of organising the project as one big whole becomes bigger (and more daunting) than ever.
• I am also a sucker for losing and forgetting things, therefore this approach to note taking and "project management" - which began throughout EP3 - makes sure I include all that I need too, stops me spending hours for "that one photo I really need" and hopes to better this area of my practice which I have had difficulty with in the past.

Therefore, the Aims of this task are:

• Create a multipurpose print out / template to be used for collating all notes, scripts and visual content ideas for PP3 presentation
• To organise notes and potential ideas for presentation content and script as I go along
• To keep all relevant notes and work in one dedicated place
• Visual layout of notes and storyboarding helps me to brain dump - but keeping everything important in one place
• Implement new approach to project, time management and organising myself throughout a stressful time in degree
• Do things differently - target and improve on an area which weakens my practice and approach to working
• Yay for ideas organisation and project management! (finally and just in time as my degree comes to a close *rolls eyes*)

My Templates: