Monthly Review: December

How am I doing generally?

Thankfully I'm feeling a lot better than I was! Recharging my batteries over Christmas has helped settle my mindset, and has made me excited to come back and work hard in the new year. I'm feeling more confident in my work too, as I have made significant progress on my 504 work, which has motivated me in all areas of practice- yay!

Who's work do I admire at the minute?

Whilst searching for references for 504, I came across some illustrator's work that really inspired me. As my topic is based on neurology, I came across Chris Madden's editorial work for The Lancet that gave me an idea on how I could make my work look less literal and more metaphorical/conceptual in relation to Oliver Sacks.

Madden's work has also increased my interest for editorial illustration; I could potentially see my work going in that direction when I graduate (if that doesn't count as wishful thinking!)

I also came discovered Ben Kirchner's work, who has done SO WELL to be commissioned by National Rail, gaining a huge amount of customer awareness to do with his work. I was mostly drawn to his beautiful illustration below, for the guardian, the colour scheme is restrictive yet superb, and has really helped me to distinguish the importance of colour within my prints, how to compliment them with each other and reinforce symbolic and metaphorical meanings.

What am I proud of?

Before the Christmas break, I managed to do a few test screens of my 504 prints, which really helped me to distinguish HOW I would create the prints, which is great peace of mind!
It allowed me to make developments in all three of my prints, and produce the final positives ready to print in the new term.

I have also finished my sting! Plan to get some feedback at the start of term to allow me to make any amendments before submission.

One thing I really struggled with was planning my time efficiently. I have started creating weekly colour coded timetables, with my time being planned backwards from the deadlines. This gives me a more accurate sense of when things need to be completed by.

Orange:504
Blue:PPP
Yellow:Responsive
Green:COP
Pink:Work
Purple:Down time

December Timetables

It was difficult to completely commit to work throughout the Christmas break due to having a part time job, and spending time with my family and friends. However, I used my lunch breaks at work to read my books for responsive which was very useful. I will continue do plan my time in this way in the new year.

What am I struggling with?

Although the timetables are helping me plan my time more efficiently, it is really difficult to pay equal attention to each module. It always seems as if one or more modules sit on the back burner whilst there is more pressure on the others. I'm pretty worried that I'm going to become quite behind with responsive, as I haven't completed my substantial brief before Christmas, but I'm sure that is something I can concentrate on fully when I have completed my work for 504 in the first few weeks of the new term.

Plan of action

• Try to complete all 504 work within the first two weeks of term, allowing myself more time to catch up with other modules
• Keep writing timetables
• Always take into consideration allowing time to socialise,relax and exercise it is important to feel good!