Self-Reflection Journal

  Knowledge Gained   Reflect on what you learned about the feedback process. How did receiving feedback from your peers influence your design? How did providing feedback to others deepen your understanding of your work? The feedback I received was fundamental to steering the course of my work in an improved direction. It enabled me to see my work from differing angles, I had become so deeply invested in it that I wasn't quite seeing where it didn't work, listening to the feedback and taking a step back led me to seeing my work more holistically and producing more cohesive results. In asking myself whether my peer's work was clear, cohesive, aesthetically appealing, and whether it addressed the brief, I was able to use the same reflective thinking on my own work.  Challenges Was receiving or giving feedback during this activity complex? How did you manage any discomfort or challenges related to constructive criticism? What strategies did you use to ensure feedback was both...

Knowledge Gained Reflect on what you have learned about designing patterns. Consider how your research and experimentation influenced your creative approach. I’ve learnt that patterns aren’t just confined to my previous, conventional understanding (florals,  geometric, tiled, block repeats etc.), that they can be created by almost any imagery, as long as that imagery can be repeated endlessly. My creative approach was initially influenced by abstract forms. As suggested in this module’s activities, I experimented with tracing images of dappled light and shadows. To give these traces some structure and repetition, I decided to mirror them rather than aiming to make then continuous. This trial and error with mirroring lead me to researching what was out there in the world of mirrored patterns, I eventually landed at mirrored animal patterns. Challenges Was it difficult to ensure repetition, alignment or variation? How did you address any issues that arose du...

Knowledge Gained Reflect on what you have learned about design principles and how they enhance the design process. Consider how your research and moodboards influenced your creative approach. Design principles feel a little like a formulaic godsend, for me, at the moment, they aid me in putting my finger on that ‘right’ feeling I have when viewing a design that pleases my eye. My mood board is leading me towards using more organic materials around my home - this is what I’m drawn to and we have plenty of natural, organic stuff to work with. Challenges Was finding the right materials to represent certain principles challenging? How did the constraint of working with analogue methods and found materials instead of digital tools influence your creative process? Given my current (lack of) digital skills, using found items did not feel like a constraint as much as a broadening of opportunity, I also found it quicker to alter and adjust found materials compared...