OUCE255 - Enterprise and Innovation Task 1

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

-I wanted to do something that I knew would interest me no matter what, I couldn't really imagine myself doing a course that isnt art/design realted and seen as its a very highly rated course I couldn't think of anything personally better for myself.

-This was the only course I found to have a small number of students on it, Unlike Leeds Met's 140 pupils Leeds college of art had 45, And I'm one of those people who benefits from a lot of one to one tutoring. I find it nice to have independence but at the same time I learn so much more when I'm in a small group of people as the teaching practice is much more personal.

-I'm being as honest as possible, but I met a guy in the printing room at my old college who explained to me that He'd been round Leeds College of Art for an open day and it was outstanding, and that in comparison to Leeds Met it didn't even come close to comparison for the graphics course. That's when I reconsidered my UCAS application and put a little bit more research into where I wanted to go rather than what I had previously done and just picked a few I liked the sound of.


-The employment rate and success of former students attracted me to the course. I worry about my future too much and knowing that 75% of students have come out of the course with either internships or jobs was defiantly what made the deal for me.

-I wanted to goto a art and design orientated university or college, I don't think I would have wanted to mix with people who weren't from a creative background as I spent the past 2 years at a different art college in that exact situation. Its better mixing with people of the same interests plus the idea of being able to collaborate with fine artists/photographers/fashion designers is something I've always wanted to do.

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

-How to properly use a graphic tablet, so I can transfer my drawing skills to working digitally. I feel I can't work to my full potential solely using a computer, or scanning in images as you don't get the same feel to holding a pen or pencil. I used to have a graphic tablet for my old desktop computer but it wasn't compatible for my mac so that sort of went out the window, I only know the basics but If i really put my mind to it, I think this would be a major help for the way I like to work.

-I want to learn how to set up my own Clothing company effectively, I can honestly say that the only thing I want to do in my life is start up my own clothing company so If i could learn the basics of setting up a business then this would be a big help. I had a taster of the Enterprise lecture on Monday so that was a push towards the things I want to learn about. Industry scares me, It honestly does, I don't want to venture out into the big wide world and fall on my face, so setting up a business plan would be one of the essential things I want to learn.


-I want to learn how to properly hand render type, I feel I have a good grasp of drawing lettering but learning how how to map out kerning, height and weight of lettering more successfully would be at the top of my list before I finish the course. 


-How to use Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign like an absolute pro! I want to know exactly how ever tool and button works, their programs that amaze me with how many features they have. At the moment I know how to use Photoshop and Illustrator reasonably well but my skills within Indesign are definitely lacking. 


-Last year I didn't thrive to taking much interest in Layout, however whilst researching over summer I've realised that without layout and grid systems design is nothing. I want to take more of interest in layout and learn more about grid systems and mapping out publications as I've started to get much more interested in magazines and book publishing. 

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

-My drawing skills are definitely one of my main strengths, I don't have a particular style of drawing but I tend to dip into a selection of different areas. I wouldn't mind attending some life drawing sessions this year.

-I come up with plenty of ideas, If we have a group brief I always seem to have a lot of input brainstorming and coming up with a form of direction. I feel if somebody asks me for advice I always give them a good response, as I go out of my way to interest myself in what they're doing.


-I feel I take a good roll as a leader or spokesperson, I try to be as friendly as possible and get on with everybody I meet or work when when involved in group work etc. 


-Working well under pressure, I feel like I work better under pressure and knowing I have work in near the end of a deadline does boost the way I work. I enjoy the rock and roll side to Graphics.


-Getting my ideas from my head to my piece of paper, I don't feel I lag in getting my thoughts straight from my brain to my pencil.

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve.

-I want to improve my self confidence within my work, I never have faith that what I have produced is to a good standard and I always feel like I'm the bottom of the pile even if others tell me different. I guess its just the way I think, what can I say? I'm a pessimist.

-My organisation skills, not just for my work but generally making lunches to bring to college so I'm not wasting countless amounts of money. I've made a start by buying a flask and making some butties but I need to stick to it. However In relation to my work, I find that the only way I'm going to improve as a designer is managing my time and work load better. If I planned out my projects with a weekly planner as soon as I received a brief then I wouldn't rush around so much when It starts coming close to a deadline. 

-I want to improve my graphic design related vocabulary. I want to know the ins and outs of graphic related terminology because its essential to industry plus there's nothing better than impressing somebody in an interview with a few fancy words. 


-To improve my style of drawing so that I have a defined and recognisable flow when it comes to putting pen to paper. I need to sketch, sketch and sketch some more or else I'm never going to progress with refining my own specific style of illustration. 


-My knowledge of screen printing, I loved using screens on my old course and I've loved doing it here so far, but I really need to commit myself to going to regular sessions, that way I can learn the process inside out. Im want to properly learn about the more intricate processes involved and how to effectively understand colours and colour management. 

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

-I will make sure I regularly speak to Amber/Lorenzo about my progress with current projects and ongoing work. I feel that a ten minute chat can often really boost the direction of my work.

-I always have the stickies app open on my mac to make lists of what I need to do each day, Its human nature that I forget sometimes but I think if I aimed to make a list of what I want to accomplish each day this would help to evaluate what I am actually achieving. I always have my mac with me at college and out of college hours I'm always staring at my laptop screen so I guess this would be a good method of recording. 


-Keep a folder of all my feedback from crits, that way I can monitor my errors and keep up to date with what I'm doing wrong and right.

-I need to start sending my work out to design companies and design studios so I can get some feedback from people already involved in Industry. This is where I want to end up heading so getting some decent criticism now would be a good start.

-Keep flicking through my old blog posts to remind myself of the mistakes I've made, that way I can monitor what I still need to work on and what I've improved on since the past.

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

-How much can I charge per hour as a form of wage or payment If I work freelance?


-What country do I want to move to when I finish? (Im definitely not living in the U.K much longer) So really what countries are thriving in areas of graphic design that interest me?


-How much does the average studio cost?


-How can I design and produce my own business plan for a clothing company? 


-What sort of person am I? What area do I want to specify in within graphic design?