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
The last few weeks saw the completion of my Compositing and Contextual
Studies 2 modules having handed them in for their deadlines. I spent the
majority of the past 2 weeks finishing development and recording my production
through write-ups for my compositing module whilst self-reflecting on the whole
modules body of work and creative practice. I also finalised my Contextual
Studies 2 essay which covered the topic of “Contemporary and future trends” in
commercial animation. The goal of the essay was to discuss and conclude a question
established in script at the beginning of the written piece to provide myself
and readers clarity on the subject provoking thoughts and responses from the
conclusion. I finished the past week by finalising my reflective write-ups and
essay before handing them in.
What’s Happening this week?
This
week I was given two new modules and briefed on the scope and requirements of
both modules. The first module I was given is titled “Commercial Animation and
Illustration Production” and is a 20-credit module. The goal and aim of this
project is to collect the body of work I have produced over the 2 years I have
studied my foundation degree and assess the current skillset that my body of
work communicates. From here I will look into the Job I aspire to fulfil within
the commercial industry and define weather my body of work communicates the
skills necessary to be hired in that role. This will form my bases of my
portfolio which is the key to my career success upon graduation.
The
second module that I have been issued and briefed on is titled “Work Based
Learning” and is designed to provide the opportunity to expand on the skills
and strategies developed during my “Work related learning 1” module that I
completed at the end of my first year. The project I completed last year was an
illustration in response to a theme prompt and this year my work based module
is to create a design outcome in the same way. The theme prompt for this
current module is the word and concept “Unity” and the creative work I produce
in response to this brief should clearly represent this prompt.
What I need to reflect
on
Due to completing my Compositing and Contextual Studies 2 modules this
past week, I need to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of both projects
and transfer this knowledge into an action plan that will ensure the continued
growth and refinement of a specialised skillset. This skillset will lay the
foundation for my development providing me with the chance to take full
advantage of future opportunities on my path to become an industry standard
creative.
Looking forward into the next few weeks I need to define and organise my
intentions and approach to my two new modules which are “Commercial Animation
and Illustration Production” and “Work Based Learning”. This will include
self-reflection from my previous modules as well as an assessment of my current
skillset for my portfolio development and idea generation for my competition
entry.
Target 1 – Write two
SWOT analysis on my blog for my Compositing and Contextual Studies 2 Modules
Discussed throughout this SMART target
blog post, I have expressed my need to reflect on my current skillset at every
opportunity to enable the creation of accurate and impactful action plans to
provide continued refinement of my skillset. Design outcomes are the clear demonstration of
a skillset and by analysing, critiquing, and discussing my recently completed
modules in the form of a SWOT analysis I am confident I will be able to ensure
the successful continued growth of my creative practice and specialist skills. I
will deem this target a success upon the posting of a concise SWOT analysis
blog post for both modules by the end of this week.
Target 2 – Research
into the required skillset for my desired career path Job online and write
about my current skillset in a post.
The current three modules that I am dedicating
my time too are the final projects I have to complete before graduating from my
foundation degree. This fact means that the next stage of my development as a
creative is seeking employment or an internship within my career path of choice.
To find success in the next chapter my development I need to ensure that I have
taken every step possible to close the gap between my current skillset and my
required one at industry standard. I believe the best way I can do this is by
researching and defining both where I am regarding my skillset and where I want
to be working in industry and use this information to close the gap. I will
deem this target as a success when I create a blog post covering my current
skillset and the skillset I need to be competitive in my desired career path.
Target 3 – idea generate for my “Work based learning”
module through the creation of mind maps, a proposal and treatment, and
thumbnail sketches.
There is never time to
waste when approaching the creation of a new project and I am confident in suggesting
that by preparing the foundation for my module in advance I can allow the
maximum amount of refinement time to be integrated into my creative practice by
establishing the concept in full as early as possible. I believe this will
enable me a platform to launch my ideas from concepts into executed assets and
illustrations which will form the structure for my animation. I deem this
target as being successful should I have a refined mindmap, a complete proposal
and treatment plan, and several thumbnail sketches constructed by Tuesday the
26th of March.
Conclusion
In response to my
outlined goals, this week I will be spending time writing SWOT analysis in reflection
to my recently completed “Compositing” and “Contextual Studies 2” modules which
will be posted on this blog. I will be researching and reflecting on my current
and required skillsets for my career path of choice. And I will be writing,
scripting, and drawing my ideas and concepts for my “Work Based Learning”
module in the form of a refined mindmap, a complete proposal and treatment
plan, and a minimum of five thumbnail sketches in response to my ideas. I
believe I will not only be on track but ahead of the game should I successfully
achieve all 3 targets before Tuesday the 26th of March. This weeks
success will be addressed in my following s.m.a.r.t targets blog post.
Thank
you for reading.
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