WHY AM I HERE?/WHAT DO I WANT TO LEARN?

Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this programme.

-      One of the main reasons I chose to study on the graphic design course at Leeds College of art is because of the work ethic. The course is described as being very work heavy, which I believe will push me as a designer to develop my time management and organisational skills.

-      Moreover, the college only accepts a certain amount of people onto the course each year, meaning that the classes are small. This allows focused teaching, and when needed, one on one tutor time.

-      Another reason I chose Leeds College of art is that most of the teachers are still involved in the creative industry, therefore they are up to date with any recent changes and developments.

-      Moreover, the course not only teaches you the ins and outs of graphic design but also prepares you for the business aspect, such as how to charge clients, receive payments and much more.

-      Finally, the college has fantastic facilities such as Mac suites and a screen printing studio which are openly available to students all of the time.

o    Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the programme.

-      Firstly, I want to widen my knowledge of typography, as I believe this is one of my weaknesses as a designer.

-      I also want learn technical terms within typography and graphic design and widen my design related vocabulary.

-      I want to learn new printing techniques such as letter press printing, this is something I have always aspired to try but unfortunately never had the facilities to do so.

-      Additionally, I also want to learn about the business side of the subject, so when I finish the course I am fully prepared for the outside world.

-      Finally, I also want to learn about programs that I have not had chance to work with before like fontographer.

o    Identify and explain 5 skills that you think are your strengths.

-      Illustration, this is one of my key strengths, I draw as often as possible to help my skill progress.

-      Another thing I believe to be one of my key skills is working with mixed media, I enjoy working with different mediums to help me achieve unique outcomes.

-      I am also organised which is key when undertaking a big workload. 
-  Additionally, I have a relatively good knowledge of programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. With this knowledge I can form a good base of information, which I can then build upon when we start learning about the programs more in depth.

-      Finally, I am focused, I have an idea of where I want to get and need to put the work in if I want to get there.

o    Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve.

-      I want to improve my knowledge of programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

-      Moreover, I also want improve my presentation and public speaking skills, as this is an area where I have not had much experience.

-      Additionally, I also want to improve my illustration work.

-      I also want to improve my knowledge of preparing work to be sent to the printers, such as adding bleeds and type size.

-      Finally, I want to improve my knowledge of colour theory.

o    Identify and explain 5 ways that you will evaluate your progress.

-      I will evaluate my progress through focused critiques that will be carried out with other classmates, this will enable me to receive ongoing feedback on my work throughout projects.  

-      Additionally, I will also constantly compare my work with the work of industry professionals working in the same media.

-      I will create time management sheets for projects that I can refer back to, so I can check that my work is progressing properly.

-       I will use online resources to collect extra information that is available about current briefs.

o    Identify 5 questions that you want to find the answer to.

-      What is the best thing about being a professional designer?

-      What is the best way to get myself noticed within the creative industry?

-      Should I use my name or create a business name when making a brand to advertise myself?

-      What is the best way to deal with stubborn clients?

-      When working in a design studio do you collaborate with other designers a lot or work single-handedly?

o    Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you.

-      The Outdoors

-      Architecture

-      People and culture

-      Current events going on in the world

-      Street art

After completing the task we where handed our first brief which explained the contents of our first module.