Reflection Of the Term

As this term is coming to an end I have taken some time to reflect on all that I have done in the Art Portfolio 1 module for the past two months. By reflecting on it I hope to gain better understanding of the challenges I faced as a potential architect and what I need to improve on. I also hope to be able to connect new things I have learnt and experienced to my existing understanding.

I began the term with analyzing the themes and developing ideas for my project. I tried various activities such as crazy eights and object lessons to help find inspiration. I had ideas I wanted to work with but struggled to put them into drawing at first but through help from my tutor and practice I was able to develop ideas. I learnt how to take things that already exist and make them into my own drawing, I developed my drawing skills and learnt how to better understand the different elements of a building and put them into consideration when developing ideas. This process kept me at a bit of a standstill but as I got more help I was able to push through. Being able to come up with a concept and to visualize it is foundational for progressing on to architecture and being able to hone these skills now will be greatly beneficial for when I progress

During the course of my project I was also required to do some research. As writing is not my strong suit it was a bit challenging, but having already started it in term one made it easier and gave me the right foundation to carry it on this term. However this task introduced me to different architects and their methods. It was interesting to learn more about their inspirations for their buildings and how they implemented them. I enjoyed looking at their works and it also helped me to get better at writing, although there is still room to improve, I understand the purpose of research and how it is beneficial 

Skills week was also another aspect that greatly helped with my project as I was making a 3D model. I had inductions to different workshops and how to use them such as the plastics and model making, woodwork, metal and 3D printing. This will be very helpful when I progress because I now have the basic understanding of how to build a model which I did using the plastics workshop.

For my Art Portfolio 1 project there are many things I found difficult. For my 2D designs, I do think my elevations were fine and I also developed my skills using adobe illustrator. I also learnt how to create a site plan and gained understanding of the purpose of it. However, my concept sketches fall flat, they did not come out how I would have preferred them to be, I believe if I had hand drawn them or used a better digital software like SketchUp they would have been better. I will take that into consideration for my second art portfolio and use my break to develop both my hand drawing and digital skills. I also created a 3D model for the first time for this project. It was my first time so I did not expect it to be perfect, I think my structure does look like my concept drawing but I believe I could improve on the finishing and I will definitely be more careful next time.

It was hard to juggle the project and my other modules at first so I fell behind with the portfolio and that affected my timing. In the future I will manage my time better so I wouldn't have to struggle to meet my deadlines.Working on this project helped me get better at independent learning but I still need to improve my ability to figure things out myself and find alternate ways to do things when they don't work out. I got better at drawing my sketches, I learnt how to draw my buildings more three dimensional and I believe I made great progress in developing my drawings and finding inspiration and I can apply this knowledge in my future projects. 

I am also learning how to apply feedback given on my work in a positive way and to not let it discourage me. This module helped me to understand myself as an architecture student and what is expected of me for my course and now I am more determined to better myself for the next one.