OUGD603: Module Evaluation

The Extended practice module is my biggest achievement within an academic context. The process of developing a sophisticated body of work greatly simulates a processional practice working to develop a range of practical responses at any give time, working with clients, collaboratively, and developing self directed study. This culminates in a broad and diverse portfolio that stands me in good stead for leaving college, knowing I can develop industry standard resolutions. The independent nature of the module has allowed a proposal for self-direct study, this ensures the module has been thoroughly engaging throughout, being able to tailor briefs to my professional practice. This ensures a strict understanding of time management to ensure the briefs are achieved within their prescribed time-scales and stands me in good stead for further study, having already engaged with a professional working practice.

The diversity within my range of briefs that is comprised within the extended practice module demonstrates my versatility as a designer. Working on a range of live briefs instigates a profound sense of professionalism within my practice to ensure the briefs are produced to a commercial standard and establish these are resolved within the clients prescribed time frames. Engaging with the creative networks campaign develops a contextual understanding of working with a client, developing an open dialogue to ensure the resolution is as successful as possible to both the client and the target audience. Competition briefs such as my resolution for YCN and the Random House design award articulates an engagement with the industry and provides opportunity for great exposure as a graduating designer. The sophisticated resolution for the Greenall’s Gin brief is creative within its response and demonstrates my critical ability to alter the brief in order to better engage the target audience, this is developed with creative considerations for the clients established tone of voice and creative direction to develop a successful and appropriate submission.

Working collaboratively within the module on a number of projects including Creative Networks and Record Store Day, highlights my ability to work successfully as part of a design team. This presented opportunity to develop time management and communication skills to ensure the design direction is appropriate and relevant to the whole creative teams input. Demonstrating my sophisticated ability to work commercially, within the module I also initiated a range of self-initiated briefs to ensure a diversity within my graduate portfolio to articulate my breadth as a designer. Furthermore, this provides a more personal insight to myself and my personal design inspirations. Developing a practical research brief within contemporary ceramic forms provided opportunity to explore a completely new creative practice that established a new skillset and interest within in practice-led research.

Reflecting on the extended practice module, I have been able to develop key specialisms within my practice including identity and campaign design, this is specifically focused to the area foe the industry I aim to work within commercially. The module highlights my critical ability to develop a range of appropriate design based solutions that explores a range of practical and theoretical contexts.