End of Module Evaluation

Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION	Level	04
OUIL402 Personal & Professional Practice 1	Credits	20
End of Module Self Evaluation

NAME	Leah Haywood

1.  What learning have you inherited through this module and how has it impacted on your own understanding of professional practice? Consider yourself as a student at University as much as an illustrator
I think mainly I’ve learnt a lot about research and how it doesn’t have to be just reading a book or browsing the internet. Getting outside, visiting galleries and new places can help inform your research just as well, if not better, than books and internet searches can. It gives you an experience to learn from and so helps you form a more educated opinion on something after having experienced it for yourself. I’ve also learnt as a student about looking after yourself mentally and physically. My mental health has had a large impact on my performance this year and I’ve gradually learnt how to take better care of myself and work around my struggles, I’m looking forward to being able to deal with this a lot better in second year and so getting more enjoyment out of the course.
2. What approaches/ types of research have you found most valuable over this module? Why did they have such an impact?
Pinterest has had a large impact on me and my practice this year, it’s so easy to find new practitioners who’s work you admire, and this in turn leads to the discovery of new media and processes. I think the biggest type of research to impact me has to be first hand trips and visits to locations/exhibitions. Having an experience informs your work a lot more that just reading a book or clicking through websites. Also looking at third and second year blogs helped, it gave me a little bit of guidance in some ways and helped me see how different people approach different briefs and tasks.
3. In what way has PPP informed the way your work in other modules and your illustration practice as a whole?
PPP has really helped me understand more about who I am as a person, what kind of work I want to make and why I want to make that kind of work. I used to think I’d draw certain things because I liked them, or I had an interest in that specific thing, this is true for some pieces of work but I’m starting to see how my experiences as an individual can start to inform my work and influence the work that I am making. I think PPP has also helped me to deconstruct and analyse other artists work and this in turn has helped me deconstruct and analyse my own work.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your PPP submission and how will you address this in the future? I think one of my weaknesses is that I didn’t go to enough exhibitions or events throughout the year. I feel like I’ve actively research and discovered new artists and illustrators but that I would have benefitted from involving myself more in my practice and getting out there and experiencing different things that would inform my practice. I hope in the future I can push myself to get out a bit more and discover some new things through exhibitions and events, and that this in turn will help me to further my practice.
5. What communities of practice and professional contexts do you intend to investigate further as you approach level 5? Why do they appeal to you? I think something I would definitely like to investigate and involve myself in more is zine culture. I love the idea of being able to spread and share thoughts and ideas through little publications and I also have an interest in narrative which I’d like to explore further. I would also like to be attending more exhibitions and events and maybe even participate in a few more, such as Illustration Showdown, this will give me a chance to network and meet other creatives.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance				x
Punctuality				x
Motivation				x
Commitment				x
Quantity of work produced				x
Quality of work produced				x
Contribution to the group		x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self-evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.