Unit Evaluation.

When I started Unit X, I set out clear aims:

• Complete the Botany and Moments collections
• Undertake a live brief
• Enhance my online presence
• Assemble a professional portfolio
• Dedicate time to research printing/production methods for the degree show

I can confidently say that I have achieved everything I set out to complete, and I feel I have done this to a high standard whilst working to deadlines and managing my time well.

I knew from the start of the project that drawing elements for the Botany collection would take up a considerable number of weeks of the project, so by completing this first I allowed myself to plan the rest of the unit accordingly. This enabled me to undertake more research into 'moments of time' within nature, to draw upon within my Moments collection. I feel that both collections are completed to a high standard whilst showcasing the different styles I can achieve, along with good use of colour. Completing further market research has allowed me to refine my context, ensuring that my work is commercial, and suits the market that I intend for it to fit into. I believe that my work fits into each context because of the careful consideration of colour and scale: spending time creating high quality visualisations also allows other people to see how I envisage my work.

Creating a website and increasing my online presence has definitely been a strong aspect of this project for me. I have updated and created social media platforms such as Linkedin, Twitter and Instragram. I was also keen to create an online portfolio of some form and after researching into this I decided to create both a Behance account and a website, enabling members of the public, as well as companies and clients, access to my work.

Completing the live brief was another successful part of this project, as it allowed me to show how I can work slightly more abstractly. I also pushed myself in terms of colour and media, and drawing upon some of the research I completed in the previous unit was very beneficial. 

Putting together my portfolio has taken a lot of time but I feel that I now have a strong portfolio that I am proud to show and take to interviews. The way I have conducted my practice this year and last year has meant that I have a breadth of different styles to show, as well as the fact that I can work towards many different contexts including wallpaper, soft furnishings and stationery/giftwrap. Researching into how to present a textiles portfolio has been valuable to ensure that I presented work for different disciplines in the correct way.

I have also been actively job searching using my updated CV and new online portfolios. So far I have had a great response, including attending two interviews for textile designer positions; I am looking forward to seeing where my work will take me.