Interdependence: Project Review

I skimmed over the brief but only referred back to it when looking for assessment criteria. I could've used the guidance more especially if I'd read it through.

I defined my project within the first couple of days which really helped me focus on the design rather than was going to do. I didn't delay my development at all, if anything it helped speed it up. I don't think I had too many delays besides the last week when I didn’t take into account how long it would take for the spray paint to dry.

I don't think I deviated at all from the brief, for once. As I followed my brainstorming through by developing my ideas through sketches.

I tried to adhere as closely to it as possible but feel like I deviated from it a little bit by making weaponry. However my logic was that weaponry is dependent on humans or on touch as without it they are effectively useless.

I believe that I followed the suggested design process quite closely.

The method I used to record and document the different phases range from note taking/ annotating my sketches to attempting to take photos after each stage of development. I recorded my research mainly through my blog using bibliographies as well as using a link to my Pinterest mood board for this project.

The processes were largely driven by my needs as I kept forgetting what the assessment was. I was supposed to refer back to it at the end of each week but forgot to most of the time. So I didn't really have any perception of what the needs of the assessment would be.

A more efficient way I could modify my research would be to screenshot every website I visit in relation to the project so that I would at least have the domain names, because as much as I tried I don't think I managed to record each and every single website that I used. It would also be more helpful if I did more research in the library rather than researching into some movies as it made it difficult if not impossible to find an artist.

My weaknesses, in relation to this project would probably be the fact that I didn’t leave myself enough time to find the right materials. But that was the only thing that went wrong with my plan of action. Another weakness was that I wasn’t as willing as I thought I’d be to use the workshop.

However my strengths would probably include time management as planning each stage of the project at the beginning really helped me keep on track and on top of my schedule rather than winging it, like used to do for previous projects.

Honestly, I don't think it was any good didn’t like the way it turned out. The barrel was not what I was hoping it would be, and the body is a little too damaged for my liking but I could just say that it adds to the design to make it more realistic as if it had actually been used. Also when doing the plaster I did it wrong as I wasn’t too sure what I needed to do. So rather than dunking it in a bucket of plaster, I lathered it on, going from one rugged surface to another. So that (techniques) could definitely be improved in the future, meaning that hopefully I’ll be in control of the materials as opposed the other way around.

I have learnt that I should not be worried about trying out new techniques as they could yield better results than simply doing what you already know. I have also learnt that I can be pretty good at time managing if I can sit myself down for a good 10-20 mins at the beginning of the project to set out a plan of action for the time I have on the project. I do much better if I set myself goals for each day/week because then I have something I am aiming to get done rather than just winging it like I have done in the past.

The work contributes to my portfolio by showing that I am willing to attempt new techniques in order to help achieve my ideas. This project has also led me to use a new technique I hadn’t used yet this year.

Plan of action

-For my future project I will try to find the most effective ways/techniques to produce what I need/want rather than using whatever is easier that the time as this can lead to unwanted results.

-I was planning to stay longer after class hours but my project never seemed to work that way as I often needed things to dry overnight. And sketches I could and did do at home. However, if I find that I need to stay longer, I will because I want my next project to push my skills to the limit. I want to produce something that will showcase the best of my abilities.

-Will do more primary research for next project as research for last few ones I personally felt was barely enough.