Self Assessment and Area Choice

I’m uncertain about which area to take up: 3D and spatial design or visual communication. I enjoyed these the most and can also imagine myself excelling at either in the future.

Although 3D is an area I have only just been introduced to in foundation I showed interest in learning how to ‘think 3D’ and wanted to create innovative, modern designs. In the fashion rotation I improved upon transferring my drawings into models; and in fine art I enjoyed producing sculptural pieces.

I would choose visual communication because I worked well with creating a visual narrative. Book design is something I’d like to look in to - I developed the narrative by putting it into the form of a book and over the course of the rotation have made sketchbooks with love and care. I realise that visual communication is a broad area; I would love to use the time I have to further explore photography, illustration and animation. I know that I’d be good at and enjoy these processes.

Of course, life is a learning curve and I did struggle with elements of the areas along the way. In 3D I struggled at first with the manipulation of paper to create what I saw in my mind. It helped that I could use the time given to me in both fashion and 3D to teach myself how to do this. In visual communication it was a challenge to communicate a message without the use of language. Despite the difficulty, I enjoyed the challenge as the tutors encouraged us to problem-solve with our peers. It was comforting to know that others would help me along the way.

The critique days were positive for both areas. ‘Positive’ to me means that I have learnt something from the comments; not just that I received praise. In 3D I had a wealth of resources to learn from and inspire me which resonated into my sketches/designs and through to my models. I did learn that I had to develop my designs further in some cases as this would create a more visually interesting outcome. In visual communication I realised the importance of understanding your audience and of their feedback - this really helped in knowing how to achieve the intended reading.

The five most successful pieces from all the rotations were the bobble chair from 3D; the illustrations of hair and wool from fashion; the structure made from straws from fine art; the plastic concertina necklace from fashion; and the narrative from visual communication. I think they are successful because they either showed a good connection and development from the sketchbook; are visually impressive; or others have actually reacted to. For instance a few people claimed they’d buy the bobble chair if it was a real product or wear the concertina necklace; and others have wanted to look closer at the straw structure and claimed how interesting and fun they thought it was.

I have many ambitions; to be an interior designer, a photographer, illustrator, furniture designer, graphic designer, book designer. I hope that whichever path I take I will be able to incorporate elements of these in to my projects. I feel these professions fit into both 3D and visual communication and wish I didn’t have to choose between them really!