Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Poster photos and Analysis


The network maps had a very interesting outcome.  When we looked at each others posters carefully, it became apparant that many of us had things in common regarding our style, favoured medias and ambitions.

We all have strengths and weaknesses which can be improved through networking.  If we communicate and work as a team, especially within mutual interests/pathways, we can improve our knowledge and self belief creating opportunities we may have missed on our own.  If we work to-gether as one, we can become stronger.

My own network map clearly followed my pathway.  Nevertheless, I did make connections with people who were taking other routes. This was helpful.  I realised that people who had other pathway plans frequently crossed or joined mine at the same point. This added strength to the network of students, giving opinions and ideas in an unbiased way.  We as students should make the most of our knowledge, share it with each other and use it to broaden our horizons and increase our chances of gaining our degrees, employment, self employment or what ever our dreams and ambitions are for the future.

By looking at our past, present and future we can see in black and white how we are, how we have been, and a confident glimpse of what we will become in the future.  Writing down everything you have done helps you focus on things you may have missed and might like to try.  Artists continually observe things.  We see things that others don't.  We interpret signs, objects and beings through art.  Using networking, we can open our minds to new ideas and thought processes.

At this moment in time, gaining employment is very difficult.  We must strive to become accomplished in our fields and develop our own unique style which will set us apart from others.  We should enquire about voluntary work as this shows employers that you have a high level of commitment and strong work ethics.  Networking will also provide you with teamworking skills.




PDP etc.

Been concentrating on PDP pathways and networks this week.  I made an A1 poster concentrating on my past, present and future work.  I based my poster on the idea of 'A christmas Carol'.  i.e the ghost of my past work, the spirit of my present work and the clairvoyance of my future work.  I used a different colour for each section.  I then looked for similar comments/interests on other posters tying string on for present work, and coloured twine for the future.  This created a personal network between like minded students, which was a good exercise, it made things much clearer when I divided past present and future into three groups.
I'm working on my first draft for my essay.  I've done just over a thousand words.  It's good to have it started.  I'm busy sorting out trial ideas for my 'Multiples' brief.  I'm not sure if i want to do a wall hanging or an installation.  I'd like to do something abstract.  Do I risk it?  Probably.  I just hope my grade won't plummet, abstract is out of my comfort zone.  I was happy with my grade for 'Second Life' so here's hoping!  I've made some chocolate chilli truffles so I'm off to have one (or two) with a glass of wine.  Merry Christmas.

Thursday, 6 December 2012

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN EDINBURGH!

Our new brief for applied practice is Multiples.  I visited Edinburgh yesterday for research purposes.  As the title says, it was sunny.  This is a standing joke in our family.  It always seems to be sunny when I visit Edinburgh, maybe I'm just lucky. Anyhow it was a beautiful day, and I concentrated my research on the Royal Mile.  I think I was up every close.  I was even accosted by two pigeons in one of the closes.  There were many interesting 'Multiples'.  As yet I am a bit undecided which ones to use for my brief.  I have a few ideas so I must give them more thought before I do my PDP at the week end.  I'm working on my essay, trying to get my research into some kind of order.  Once I get started things flow more quickly, and make more sense.  The first draft is after Christmas so I still have plenty of time. I am going to a glass engravers shop to-morrow.  He is a friend of my husband, and offered to show me glass engraving techniques, which I am interested in.  I would also like to find out more about enamelling and hopefully try that too.  My Multiple pigeons are shown above!