PPP: Why am I here? What do I want to learn?

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

I came from A levels in a small sixth form college which was incredibly personal and I think that helped me improve my initial skills to be able to apply to LCA, I chose this course because of its small numbers and the amount of tutor time it allowed because I feel it is important for creative subjects to have time with fellow students as well as the tutors.

I also chose LCA and graphic design in particular because I attended an open day within the summer where I met Fred Bates who gave an incredibly brilliant speech about graphic design which definitely motivated me to work really hard on my portfolio to get in. Overall I really loved the passionate aura I got from LCA and wanted to be part of it. One of the main reasons why I chose graphic design to study is because I quite honestly couldn't really see myself doing any other job- I like to create things and I think graphic design would give me the ability to create a whole range of different types of work. I attended a few different end of year shows in the summer and LCA's really stood out to be a wide variety of all different styles and concepts of work which was amazing.

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

As I came from a small sixth form the teachers there were fantastic for initial skills however I had to self teach myself using photoshop- I wasn't fully brilliant at other software so I want to learn how to use illustrator and indesign.

The printing facilities at LCA are fantastic and I really want to learn how to screen print as I haven't done this before.

I want to learn as much about type as possible as I haven't really been introduced to this fully especially how to create a font or hand render type.

I want to learn how and where I can access and see current work within leeds- I know manchester well but I haven't been in leeds before.

I want to learn more around the subject which I suppose I will learn from lectures and tutors.

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

Photography- I did this at A level and I think I did quite well especially knowing framing and lighting which I think will help me within this course.

My tutors at college said I was incredibly thorough with my ideas especially with trying to build concepts, they also stated that this did translate to design work and that my work involved quite a lot of attention to detail- I think I can build on this at university.

Individuality- I quite like to resolve briefs in a way that I think suits it, which also means that I sometimes like to incorporate elements which are quite unusual.

I think my organisation skills are quite good and I know how to handle time as I am used to somewhat juggling three or more projects at once.

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve.

I really want to improve my confidence in my presentation skills, I think this will really help others to like me and my work more as people who are confident tend to be more likeable.

I want to improve my written analysis and critique of my own and others work as I think this will really help me develop.

I want to improve my skills in terms of using the mac so software such as illustrator and indesign, I think this will help me to create work that looks more professional.

I want to really push myself with my work and do more than I would normally- so try a new process/ technique or do something which is out of my comfort zone.

I think I really need to work on how I take criticism and not to take it personally, its about the work and not about me as an individual.

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

Evaluating work on my design blog as well as my PPP blog.

Talking to tutors about my problems and how I'm doing.

Being aware of what others are doing on the course and seeing if my work is of a similar standard or not.

Looking at how I've changed between modules and writing down the improvements or new skills/ techniques I've learned.

Writing down areas which I think could be improved and trying to resolve these within the next module.

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

Do my ideas and general style have its place within graphic design?

Will I be good enough to keep up with the rest of the course as I haven't done a foundation year?

Is there such thing as having a style of work or does it change?

Is it possible to create graphic design which is current using other methods than digitally producing work on the mac?

How do you combine the concept with aesthetic of a brief?

Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you.

Books- I really love to read and I think it sparks imagination generally:

I love the countryside and travelling, seeing new places and experiencing things is wonderful.

Passion for social change and people/animals really inspires me to work on projects:

HAPPA charity- horses and ponies protection association. (own photograph)

Music- as well as loving the written word I love live music and lyrics with meaning.

Mumford and sons:

http://cdn.umg3.net/mumfordandsons/resized/cdn/uploads/posts/MumfordCanadaHaney_(165_of_276)-652x435.jpg

As I said I love travelling, especially recently to France for quite a few years now to different areas. I think seeing other cultures and experiencing different places outside of the UK really broadens knowledge of design and life generally. Visiting other areas of europe I think definitely influences my designs in terms of what colours I like and type.