Personal and Professional Portfolio

Previous Experience

I have always had from an early age a flare for how things work and technology. This interest has allowed me to develop self-motivation. When starting out with computers I was at first nervous about them. I didn’t feel very comfortable using them because I was delving into the unknown.

I was around 10 years old when I first started using a Windows based PC, previously it was a BBC and Acorn Archimedes computers.

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Any problems I have faced I have had to gain the confidence in order to fix. This has allowed me to become self-reliant in this area. I still need to improve my confidence in other areas.

The course as a whole

My main experience before enrolling on the course was with IT maintenance, Web, Photoshop and Quark.

I started this course in order to gain new software and design skills. As the content of the course is very broad, I feel the course has opened me up to lots of different subject areas, that I doubt I would have tried before. The only reason being I didn’t have any resource or reason to try them. This would be in particular the 3D suites such as 3D Studio Max, Mayia and Mudbox. These suites require a lot of time and effort to get to know them. This is mainly down to the GUI (Graphic User Interface) being poorly designed. When looking at products such as Cinema 4D it feels a much more user friendly. I personally would have preferred to start with Cinema 4D as it really feels you have a mountain to climb otherwise.

I also delved into Adobe Flash which I found more friendly than I expected. As I managed to grab the basics fairly quickly I think I could advance further developing the skills in my own time.

When working with Action Script which is incorporated into Flash. I personally found it pretty unforgiving. I became rather frustrated with it due to how simple things would take me a long time. However with some perseverance I shall work at it more to make sure I don’t write it off too quickly. I’ve had frustrations with other parts of technology particularly Operating Systems and the only way to overcome it is to work at it.

As I have been exposed to lots of different technologies it has been rather difficult to decide which route to take. I believe I have gained  the experience and knowledge necessary to now specialize in particular areas.

The Modules

The presentations on the whole I felt were a bit too much. In the sense that there was such a lot to take in. I find I learn more when watching the person presenting rather than being distracted trying to write down as fast as possible what they’re saying. I do have a very good memory and anything that is of high importance I am able to obtain or write down after the presentation has finished.

I do feel that a recording of the presentations would have helped the audience as a lot of detail had to be covered in such a short space of time. If this has been made available it would have been a good port of reference material.

Product Feedback

As part of validating my products success I created a small questionnaire in order to obtain some feedback. If I had more time I would have done this on a much larger scale. The feedback that I did get was helpful and sufficient.

The main points from the feedback were the information I had provided was very easy to digest. My explanations were clear and concise even to those new to the subject.

I would have liked to develop the product and discuss it more but due to a limited word count I had to be concise and to the point.

As added improvements I would have liked to add a “jargon buster” box in order to explain some terms.

Overall I believe I argued my points well and had I more space I would have included more images to break the text up. However in this product the content was the most important.

How I learn

As I have been in education for many years now, I have been able to uncover the ways in which I work best. In some cases the ways in which I learn best aren’t always presented to me. As a result of this I will do my best to source this information from different types of media.

Spelling: This has changed slightly as I have got older. I usually rely on visually recalling the spelling in my mind. If that fails I will say it aloud and try and deduce from that phonetically.

Communication and Concentration: I prefer to listen and keep as much eye contact with the person speaking. This allows me to take everything in rather than being distracted for example taking notes. I find I can recall much more by observing and then writing notes down as opposed to vice versa. I don’t feel I’m taking everything in when writing down notes. If the subject is something new and in depth I have to heighten my attention or my mind may wonder elsewhere.

After a presentation I would much prefer having a test or exercise to try out what I have learned. That way I can see for myself the areas I need to improve straight away. If this is not possible a list of bullet points should be provided.

Computer Applications: Where possible I will spend as much time trying out the software and finding out for myself each function. Once I feel I have a firm understanding I will then look at instruction manuals or the Internet for further information. I usually find tutorials fairly easy to follow and any questions I may have, are researched. When I have exhausted all possible avenues I will then ask someone who I know or post on a forum.

What restricts me

Briefs: It can take me sometime to understand what a brief is asking. I like them detailing what is required using bullet points. If it is just a block of text I can find it hard to break down by myself. I may spend a few days just mulling over what and the amount is required. Once I have a firm understanding I can remember the brief word for word.

Confidence in ability: I will often over analyze how I work and compare myself to others. As I have matured I am trying my best to just become an individual and show my skills for what they’re.

Too much information that isn’t varied: When discussing areas I am unfamiliar I prefer to get a general grasp of them first. If information is just bombarded at me I’m likely to go off the subject altogether. This just wastes time.

What helps me learn

Fully understanding: When I fully understand the task at hand it allows me to perform much better. If this isn’t the case I will constantly get doubtful comments in my mind. It can make it very difficult to work and the only solution I have found is to keep asking until I get the answers I need.

Feedback: When getting feedback from people whom I trust and appreciate their advice it gives me a confidence boost to do more. I can find it hard at times when I am unsure to motivate myself.

What I have learned and the future

The course has allowed me to get to know more of my own ability and areas in which I need to improve. As I have been shown various subject areas it has given me a better idea of the things I enjoy  and work well with.

My next step is to continue working with the software I have used and improve the ways in which I work. Although this course has allowed me to build up a portfolio, I feel it is just a starting point and will set out to improve and update it. I am beginning to get a feel of where I want to go in my life and most importantly I want to keep it varied. In order to stick with something the last thing I want is to feel it is becoming repetitive.

I am awaiting a response on whether a PC building course will be running at the college in September. If it is, I shall enroll on it and whilst studying look at my job options and the qualifications that will get me that interview.

When I feel comfortable I would ideally like to freelance but I want to make sure I have a secure income before I make that step. I have to ensure my health is well looked after as stress can make me become unwell.

As a designer I have also learnt one very important message. That everyone is individual with their design and providing you create the effect that you intend then who is to say that is right or wrong.

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