Final evaluation

What i will do next/in the future?

From this experience i have learnt that its easy to become apart of the fashion industry and you have to constantly be on top of everything you do as well as communicating with other people just as well. I want to develop my logo more, it think it needs to be worked on. I definitely want to look into how i can use my logo in promotional strategies because i think this could be a really fun aspect. I also definitely want to develop my website and eventually add my work to it. I want to develop my skills further in indesign, photoshop and illustrator. I also want to have my own knowledge of how to run and website.

I want to develop my theme that i have picked up on which is interactive. I love this theme and i think it encapsulates what my work it all about!

Overall i am so happy with what i have achieved so far from this project my work has been in -

2 publications

3 websites

and 1 video

I think that's something to be proud of and i am very excited to see what i can do in thee future.

Responses from website

After sending out the link to all the people that got involved with the wardrobe to my website. I quickly got some responses back.

Chris Baldwin, Father of Elinor Baldwin (one of the little girls in the photos)

'Jessica, My daughter is one of your subjects, and we just saw your photos.What a great shoot and she remembers the day well, thank you again.One favour to ask - you switched her name with another little girl -would it be possible to change that? I'd like to show some of ourfriends but it would be better if Elinor was Elinor (chuckle). ElinorBaldwin's name should be substituted for the last photo captionedLeivi Said Hedayayti. My guess is that where Elinor's name appearsits should be Leivi as well. (Elinor "Nell" has blonde curly hair). Many thanks, Chris Baldwin'

This was great because he picked up on mistakes that i had made. This helped me loads, I instantly went and changed the name for him and i got a reply saying that the link was being sent to the grandparents which i thought was brilliant!

Another response was from Samantha Huang

'Hello Jessica,

Thanks for sending me your website link:)

Its a fun project! My friend and I really enjoyed it!

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Thanks again!

Best,

Samantha'

Its so nice to here from people that are bascially my customers. Its great to recieve compliments from people that would buy my work.

More evaluating

Here is another section of my evaluation. This will probably be the biggest one. I want to evaluate my work with 'The Girls' and my own personal work after. They are two main areas and i think its easier to answer the relevant questions separately.

OK first i want to talk about 'The Girls'

Why i did it?

I choose to work with the girls because instantly saw the potential of what i could do. I choose to do the cut out wardrobe because like my other work it involves getting the public to help. I like work when there are levels you can reach and the work still develops even when you have finished. (the girls finished at the end of April and my feedback is still coming in)

Outcomes?

I was so happy with the outcomes of working with the girls. I got such good reviews from the people around me. I was also with really happy with how my concept became a reality. I wasn't sure whether what i had in my head could work well with the public. But people of all ages (as you can see from the photos) had loads of fun and the people that were of the right age understood about the 1980's and remember the magazine.

Issues?

Of course every project has issues! First off mine was how to actually make the cut outs my first thought was to use foam board which would have been a great material but was way (way) to expensive. I managed to get round this and brought corrugated card, and i think this worked even better! Other issues were how was i going to get the photos of the public up and other small details like that but they soon got resolved. I think that was the good thing about working on the ive projects things (as funny as it sounds) can be changed quickly.

What i learnt?

I learnt u number of things. How to work with professional people and to deal with other peoples deadlines and not just your own. I learnt how easy it is to make contacts when you just put yourself out there (and smile!) I learnt that it is hard work and you have to keep on top of yourself. You cant get annoyed or just take a break because your get frustrated you have to deal with problems on the spot. I learnt that i work very well with people, however i don't think i would be very good on my own. I can produce good ideas by myself but need people around me to help polish off the final idea.

Other work in this project (website and pdf)

Why i did it?

From the beginning i new that i wanted to create my own brand. I needed to set myself up now so that going into 3rd i new that i had something to work with. I wanted to gather all previous work and present it in a neat and professional way so that it was easy for potential customers to access. I created my logo so that people can start to recognise me, and from working with the girls this has definitely helped.

Outcomes?

My outcomes were at first clear but then i became undecided. I wasn't sure if i should go straight for a whole website and perfecting my logo or to take my time and maybe not have a finished result. I am glad i decided to make a pdf of my work and not put it straight onto my website. I felt that i could get a better result from indesign but still have the original live aspect of my website.

Issues?

Many issues occurred such as what to do about my website, and also whether i was going to be able to get to grips with the extent of indesign. I over came some of these issues by collaborating with other students to help. I do wish i could of created a full website with all my work. But i am happy with the start i have made.

What i learnt?

I learnt that nothing is as easy as it seems. You have to work quickly but at the same time let your ideas develop and evolve in their own way. I learnt that there are always people willing to help but its definitely better to know how to do it yourself rather than asking that person every 5mins of how to do something.

My website finished

Here is my final website!

Click here to veiw it!

I am very happy with how Mike has finished it. I think there is alot more i can do to it. However it surves its purpose of showing the public their pictures. An email has been sent out to all the people i took a picture of so waiting to see if i get a response from them.

I think the website can definitely be developed more, and with the addition of my work i think i could make it really good. It wasnt as hard as i thought it would be, and i am now confident and happy that i could produce a bigger and better website in the future.

Starting my Evaluation

I have a lot of work to evaluate so i thought i would start now seeing as i am nearly finished and break it down into smaller chunks so you don't have to read one huge block of text (which i no is very very boring)

My Learning Agreement Aims and Outcomes

Did i achieve what i said i would do?

With my assessment requirements of what i was to hand in i have kept to the agreement, apart from the section of the website were i said i would produce a website with ALL my work on. Instead i produce a pdf of my work but still designed and made a live website for the public to view.

These were the aims that are in my Learning agreement. I have written below each one in bold to whether i have achieved these or not.

Aims:

A1 To identify, evaluate and define self-initiated and independent learning opportunities.
I think i have definitely covered this point. I have designed and made my own section for a live exhibition with professional artists. I created the whole concept by myself and did all research and developments to standard. As much as i have collaborated with 'The Girls' this was very much my own independent opportunities.

A2 To further develop the creative, intellectual and practical applications of specialist study to the appropriate level.
I have hit this aim by further extending my knowledge to wide extent in indesign. I now know how to create professional documents that i would be happy to show to someone for a potential job. I also have started my knowledge of web design and very much looking forward to this getting better.

A3 To promote self-evaluation and review as an essential part of my personal and professional development.
Because i was involved in a live project self-evaluation was very important. I had to make quick decisions about the practicality of my work. I had to co-operate with 'The Girls' guidelines of what they wanted and at certain points this meant changing my section at the last minute to suit there needs. I found this a hugely useful experience.

A4 To demonstrate an understanding of the historical, cultural, professional and contextual framework that inform my work.
Because i was working with 'The Girls' i couldn't just do whatever i wanted. They had a theme of the 1980's so my work did have guide lines however i felt that this did not restrict me in fact i think it shows my ability to be given any topic and turn it into something professional and to my way of working. I think the context of my work was very relevant and many people commented on how it was simple, effective and very in keeping with the exhibition.

A5 To introduce me to the career and future study possibilities relevant to my subject interest.
This i think is the one i covered best. I am so glad i choose to work with 'The Girls' because it gave me such an insight into what it is like working with professional people. The fact that we were based in Selfridges was even better because they really liked my work and this is a great step up into the industry. I have made many connections with other people and also Zoe has said she would love to work with me again and that she might have some future work for me. From this project my work has been in 2 publications, 3 websites and 1 video.

PDF finished!

I have finally finished my pdf, take a look and see what you think -

 

I am very happy with how this has turned out. I never new the exciting things you could do on indesign. I espcially like the roll over pictures (as you can see). Its simple and hopefull easy to use. I have made to public friendly by giving instructions on how to use it. I would love to see this as a finished website. This is something i can perfect next year.

My friend Fay

My friend Fay Newsome does Arts and Event at aucb and she created this video promoting the work of students in Bournemouth. This is to promote 'Arts Bank' which will be held at The Winchester in Bournemouth it is to get funding from companies so that they can help students get on the map.

My work old and new is on there so take a look!

This is another great way my work is being advertised, also a perfect example of how people should work together. I want/need to get involved in many things as possible so people can recognise me!

Justine Mckee

Justine Mckee was another student who also collaborated with the girls and had her own section at Paper Eaters. She had a Paper Eaters Fly section were the public were allowed to come and make their own origami bird. The birds wwere then hung up along one of the pink fences. This really worked well!

For her Project Justine had to create a website, show casing everyones work. And she did a section on mine. Click here to view my section!

Laura Collins

A student on my course Laura Collins asked me if i would model one of her t-shirts for her. These t-shirts were hand made by her all featuring different animals of the world. I choose the elephant to wear. She made her own stencils and spray painted each individual t-shirt.

Here's my picture -

I Think it is important to help other students with there work. Its not only fun and helpful but builds good relationships for the future. In the industry its good to have friends in the same area as you because you can all help each other.

Website layout

Whilst i have been working on my pdf i have also been designing my website. Here are my drawn out rough plans of what i want it to look like. I want it to be really simple and easy to use.

This is the a sample right up about what i want to say in the 'Information' section

Because i no nothing about making websites i have contacted a friend Mike Osborne who helped create my other friend Abi Currie (a photographer at aucb) create her website. I am going to collaborate with him to help make my site.

So i contacted him and he was happy to help. So i sent him this pdf of what i wanted my website to look like. Its nothing flashy, i just want to so the public are still able to view their photos. Now i don't expect it to look exactly like this in fact i don't think it will look anything like this. However i know Mike is good and i am sure he will make it presentable.

Dingadabumsda

Our university magazine had its last issue last week and it was an issue celebrating students achievements. Student Hattie Hignell wrote an article about 'Working with the Paper Eaters'

She happen to mention me and the work i had done there. Putting up pictures of my section and one of the public. Take a look! And thank you Hattie for putting my work in.

More feedback

I have had some final feedback from Zoe, here is what she had to say,

'Selfridges were crazy for it!!

It was highly interactive, perfect for the location

It looked perfect, colours / way you painted it were fantastic, loved the coloured ribbon (but the backdrop could have been more considered, it felt like an after thought)

The customised hanging rail was perfect

Some bigger clothing would have been good, the pieces were small

I would have liked to have seen snapshots taken in advance, so up there from the start

You have a very cheerful character, which is great, and you are good with the public. The project was very stressful at times, but you kept your cool

You themed your own clothing when in store, which was great

Needed more/better signage for when you weren't there, your sign arrived few days before closing, and it could have been much better

It's less stressful for us if you turn up with every tiny thing that you may need (so you don't need to borrow anything), and finish everything before you arrive on site

Your work re paper maching in advance was very much appreciated!

I would be interested in working with you again, if you are interested, I may have something interactive coming up in the autumn, I'll keep you posted.'  Zoe Sinclair 13th May 2010

Really happy with what she said, she made some really helpful points that i can carry through to my evaluation.

Working with 'The Girls' was brilliant, i think it was such a good experience to actually be involved in live work. I am proud that Zoe said she would be happy to work with me again and that she might have work coming up in the future for me.

C.V

From the lecture we had about creating the perfect c.v i took the notes i made i created my own c.v. Now Ive never been particularly good at doing c.v's so i thought i would have a go on indesign and see what i could produce. Going along the same lines in previous posts i want to keep the same theme of promoting me so i used my logo again and i think it looks quite good, not to sure about the content though i think it could be more refined.

Other forms of promotion stuff

On the same website as the business cards you can also mock up other stuff like this.

These are different letter headings, i could also make loads of other different things. This would help promote me as a brand and to get people to remember who i am.

Business cards

From doing work on the laser cutter to create my logo hang ups i decided to extend branding myself more. I want to create a business card but not just your normal everyday rectangle ones (because lets face it you need something that people will keep and remember)

I went on different business card making websites and came up with these mock ups.

I find these practical but BORING, if someone gave me this i would probably lose it or just not be bothered. I need to create something that people would want to keep and say 'wow isn't this fun'

So i decided to use my own logo as the shape for my business card. Once again i booked a session with the laser cutter and produced these samples.

This was my first go, you cant really tell on here but it was way to big and the laser cutter to deep on the letters so you cant really read them.

I had another go and it was much more successful.

If you click on the picture above you can see that the letters are much more visible. I love this business card and so far haven't seen any like this.