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 previous weeks
As outlined in the past few posts on this blog, since returning
to my foundation degree in Animation & Illustration I have been issued,
executed, and finalised work for my first module regarding the subject of character
design. This project has given me a lot to think about when attempting to grow
as a creative. Since then I have been issued 3 new briefs, firstly an
alternative techniques module covering the topic of print making methods, a
digital skills module covering the topic of skills building in animation, and
finally Personal Professional Development which covers the blogging and
reflective process that I'm currently creating this post for.
Last week I was issued the digital skills brief and spent some
time planning and prepping my ideas for the project. I Intend to create 4
animated cycles of 5 seconds long which will be looped together with
transitions of around 2.5 seconds each. Unsure on the direction I wanted to
take this module I spent some time discussing with my tutor about what I would
get the most out of when considering my approach to this project. The resulting
concept was recorded and thought upon. Essentially last week I generated and
recorded ideas and scripted planning for this project.
On Wednesday and Thursday of last week I spent time working on
my alternative technique’s module. What processes this consisted of was
finalising research regarding artists who use print making commercially, recording
and clipping my multiple screen prints into my A3 sketchbook as well as the
submission of my devised relief print Illustration which was sent to be laser
etched onto 5mm acrylic. I made sure to catch up with admin work by writing out
processes, research, and catching up with any design submissions that were
required for later stages in the production process.
What I need to reflect
on
Originally the digital skills module was supposed to be a
continuation of my character design project adapting him into an animated
narrative. I made the decision to deviate from this approach as I believe I
would be able to get more out of a project that was more obscure as well as
losing interest in my original characters narrative. Due to this decision I
have significantly less planning ready to guide me into this project and as a
result I am potentially at a disadvantage. I need to ensure that I resolve my
direction quickly outlining through research how the visuals of my animation
will be portrayed and thumbnailing these designs out.
The goal of my alternative techniques project is to stimulate
knowledge and growth around the topic of print making. The quality and quantity
of my prints does not guarantee success in my project as it is intended as a self-reflective
process. I need to ensure that I am accurate in myself reflective cycle to get
the most out of this module. I feel that it is necessary that I define a
structure into my sketch book approach by utilising a system similar to my SWOT
analysis scheme already implemented into my blog. I will address both my Digital
Skills module as well as my Alternative Techniques one this week to tackle
these obstacles.
Target 1 – Complete research through my blog into character walk
cycles, photoshop animation, motion graphics, and Maya animation to support the
direction of my Digital Skills module.
As identified in my weekly reflection process above by deviating
from my original plan for my project I have left myself at a disadvantage with
obstacles regarding the vision for my project. This can have a negative impact
on the development and success of my project if I do not address this issue. As
an action planned salutation to support against this potential issue I will be
creating a few posts on this blog researching into examples of work that I feel
is relevant and I wish to study and implement my insight into my digital skills
module. I feel this will resolve and tackle the obstacles that I am currently
dealing with. I can measure the success of this solution by identifying an
increase in quality in my digital skills design outcome. Should I receive a
high grade covering the criteria I researched into I can safely confirm that
this actioned planned target has been successful.
Target 2 – Create a critical analysis of one of my print batches
on my blog utilising my SWOT analysis within my Alternative Techniques module.
Discussed above, I expressed that I
felt what was currently missing from my Alternative Techniques module regarding
Its intentions and learning outcomes was a concise reflective process. It is
vital that I am successful in reflecting on my print techniques to measure the
strengths and weaknesses of each technique to be able to consider my project a
success. As an action plan to ensure I meet the modules requirements I will
apply the SWOT analysis approach to each batch of prints to ensure that I implement
the required level of detail within my reflective process. I can measure the
success of this target by how high a grade I receive when I get my modules
results back.
Conclusion
In response to my outlined goals, this
week I will be spending time executing research into walk cycles, photoshop
animation, after effects animations, and Maya animations for my Digital Skills
module as well as scripting a SWOT analysis for my Alternative Techniques
module. I am confident if I complete these tasks that I will generate improved
success on each of my projects as a result of this careful pre-week planning.
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