S.M.A.R.T targets – 16/04/18

In the industry and during education it can often be hard to find the time to self-reflect and aim my projects in a direction that is accurate regarding self-improvement and artistic growth. This is often due to been immersed in the creative process and creating engaging content for personal interest and that of a client. There is a time though where a line must be drawn, and an artist must be self-critical and decisive, this is where ‘S.M.A.R.T’ targets come in! ‘S.M.A.R.T’ Is an acronym that stands for ‘Small’, ‘Measurable’, ‘And’, ‘Realistic’, ‘Targets’. This translates into a weekly review of my current projects and goals for the purposes of artistic growth through accurate and appropriate target setting regarding my current goals and skillset into a concise action plan.

Context of last week

This past week saw a considerable amount of effort put into creating my final illustrated response to the Cheltenham awards live brief. As mentioned in my last post I had identified a composition I was confident with which I had created in reference to photographical landscapes. From here I went about designing, constructing, and compositing my assets trying to keep my process intuitive whilst making effective use of the foundational design planning preparations that I had provided myself previously. This week was mostly spent studying and digitally painting assets and elements in Adobe Photoshop resulting in the area I am currently that. In the following week I need to finilise my digital painting such as the deer and tiger designs and begin by creating 3d models of aspects In the illustration I intend to animate. 

What I need to reflect on

Reviewing the previous weeks design outcome, I believe it is integral to receive feedback from my tutors and peers as to whether my current design outcome requires alterations regarding engagement or conveyance against my narrative based intentions. If my audience cannot understand nor interpret my intentions then there is no way I will stand a chance in this competition or be able to call this project a success. Therefore, this week I find it required that I study and reflect on my design outcome as well as receive feedback and create action plans against potential weaknesses in my design.

Target 1 – Successfully implement a strategy to improve upon any weaknesses identified in peer assessed feedback.

Stated previously it is important that I allow a fresh pair of eyes to professionally assess and provide feedback with my design outcome. Constantly studying a piece of work during its creation process can often leave an artist blind to areas that could be hindering the design due to becoming too familiar with the current result and missing what could be obvious issues. By gaining support from peers it can be very beneficial the overall result of a projects final when considering intention, immersion, and engagement.

To ensure that I make effective use of such feedback my small, measurable, and realistic target is to create a correction list of tasks based of my feedback to correct any issues in my design as well as enhance any strengths that have been expressed. I will count down my new task list setting soft deadlines whilst keeping up with my current time plan to keep my process effective and consistent whilst allowing my project to evolve and grow in a impactful direction. In short, I shall create a task sheet based of feedback to adjust any mentioned alterations for the benefit of my design.

Target 2 – Ensure that my audience can clearly understand the intended narrative by asking peers what they believe my current design expresses.

In a previous project of mine I created a triptych set of illustrations conveying a narrative I had constructed. Once the project was completed I quickly realised that I had a lack of clarity in my designs visual conveyance. Few people viewing my triptych could identify my intended narrative and this is an issue I do not wish to repeat in my current and future productions. Therefore now I am at a stage where my final visual design it is been realised I intend to insure that this illustration does not fall prey to my previous flaws by taking action against this.

The small, measurable, and realistic target I am setting in reflection to this idea is to receive peer feedback from my tutors and class mates and act action plan accordingly. For example, if they find it had to understand what the animal is then I will record the planning or the animal adjustment. Following the end of my feedback I will make time at my next available timeslot on my project time plan to go through this list and adjust my illustration enabling personal artistic growth and improving my design outcome. I am confident if I make these adjustments and follow my action plan that I will avoid the issues that I have discussed above resulting in a better production and a fuller skillset.

Conclusion

I am satisfied that these 2 goals are enough for me to focus on during the production of this week’s projects. In the following week I will update you all on the success of these targets as well as create new ones in reflection to the previous weeks workflow, successes, and failures. Thank you all for taking the time to read!