Field Reflection

For this assignment, I will be going over my field reflection to show how I have progressed and what I have learned throughout this past year.

Skill acquisition (Including research, context and making)

Each of my projects has an even balance of a professional and ethical layout, while also allowing me to incorporate my own personal interests. I have made sure that my research is consistent and relevant with my subject matter (whether it would be a making project, a blog post or a major essay). When making, I was able to gain new skills which I applied to each project. Each process was unique in terms of designing and creating, whether it this was sculpting, making moulds, or CAD building.

Ideas and realisation

Figurative Modelling

During the five weeks of figurative modelling, I had the opportunity to exercise my sculpting sketching skills, while also I’d been inducted on new skills such as Slab folding, sewing fabric body parts, sculpting body parts in a step by step process, that involved starting with one shape and building upon it, 2D and 3D slab collage, testing my sketching skills in life drawing with multiple time limits.

Rajasthan

I was tasked with making my own augmented reality book using inspiration from my trip to Rajasthan. The idea I came up with was making a book written in my own hieroglyphic language, that could be translated into English. I first scanned my alphabet into illustrator and had them laser cut into stamps. Once I typed up and printed out the scripts and created the trigger images, I then made the book using red fabric and sewed in a piece of cardboard (to help shape the book). Once the book was finished, it was then folded and held together by a piece of string wrapped around a button.

Discipline-specific knowledge

In both these projects, there were challenges to my skillset; things I enjoyed and things I need to practice at. I exercised sketching, sculpting, slab building, life drawing, sewing, miniature painting and augmented reality skills. Development of skills what the maker course is about; how it specialises into multiple fields of making and how it allows us to find our way. It also allows us to find or exercise our comfort zone, while introducing us to skills we thought we would never have.

Contextual understanding of own practice

The explore projects I participated in had a major impact on my work and creative abilities. In both projects, I was given multiple challenges, such as putting my sculpting skills to the test and writing an honest, reflective learning journal and also by traveling to India. I was able to find a subject matter that was both a practical challenge and was something I had interest in, which made the project more enjoyable.

Evaluation of own learning and Conclusion

This past year has been very different, but productive in terms of research, making and discovery. I created a series of medals dedicated to a misunderstood film maker, put my sculpting skills to the test and travelled to India to be inspired and encouraged by their culture and traditions.

After finishing both explore projects, the ideas I had for designing and making as well as the new skills and knowledge I have acquired, has shown me what I can do. This gives me more insight and confidence in what I might do next.

My Book Idea

On the 10th of February, I started progress on making the book.

Idea:

While I was in Rajasthan I came up with an idea for my theme of my book, my idea was to create my hieroglyphic alphabet based on certain things I spotted during my time in Rajasthan. The idea of the book was to use HP reveal to translate my hieroglyphics into English.

(My hieroglyphic alphabet) (My book design)

Supplies:

Red fabric
Thread
A button
White fabric

I first started by drawing big versions of my hieroglyphics to create full design and detail next I then scanned them to my email and imported them onto adobe illustrator to create laser cutting files

Once the design was laser cut onto the wood I then glued little wooden sticks to the top of each one and with that, I created my hieroglyphic stamps

Next, I took the red fabric and cut it to the right length

Once I cut it to the right length I then cut up a piece of cardboard (at the same size as my sketchbook) and fit it in between the fabric, I then use a sewing machine to secure the cardboard inside the fabric

Next, I used the print pattern (that I laser cut) I then stamped the design to edges of the fabric (then filled in the missing gaps by hand)

Next when I folded the book closed I marked the position where I wanted the button to go, then I hand stitched the button securely in the right position.

Next, I took some string, painted it black and sewed it onto the edge of the book, this string would then wrap around the button keeping the book in place.

Next, I took some white fabric, measured the right length, cut it out and sewed it on the top of the inside of the book, this acted as a banner, displaying a friendly welcome to the reader (written in my own hieroglyphics)

Next, I took my scanned hieroglyphics onto my computer and created digital sentences, these were meant to act as fun facts about Rajasthan and its culture, once I printed and cut them out I then glued them onto the white fabric, cut them out and sewed them into my book.

My finished book.

Figurative Modelling Part X

On the 12th of December, I presented my ten slide presentation based on my experience, skills and Ambitions, throughout my time in figurative modelling.

Each slide covered certain aspects: