Reflective, objective evaluation and structured plans for the future

From the research that is the older posts of this blog, I have a vague understanding what a fine artists has to do. I also think that working abroad for a year would be better for me since it will give more confidence and more contacts on a global scale. Internships with companies shows promise, as well as internships overseas, but the overall outcome of whether or not I get a job is entirely placed in the companies hands.
There was an internship based around printmaking and the contents of what it involves, rather than dedicating my skill for a companies advantage, therefore that is more on the basis of what I wish to achieve. This, whether or not if it is in another country, would help me be more aware of my personal appearence and how I am with others. Also, public speaking would be more diverse and experienced, since this is needed in this scetor.
Whether or not I do this, there is always more options available for me.
Another road to take is teaching. I did not research this area, as like I have said, this is only a safety net; however, I would ask schools for work experience whilst entering a degree for teaching primarily in the art sector.
I have only a vague idea of what I wish to achieve, and I believe I need more help in specifying what is avaliable right now, and what isnt.

FOOTNOTE. I HAVE CHANGED MY COURSE FROM ILLUSTRATION AND PRINT TO FINE ART PRACTISES, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN I SHOULD DO ALL OF MY RESEARCH AGAIN, SINCE IT WAS LOOSELY BASED ON ILLUSTRATION AND MORE BASED ON TEACHING AND BEING AN ARTIST.

Where I plan to be in the next five years...

First illustration shows my ongoing research for my course, this will probably take up about 3 or 4 years.
The second illustration shows me actually doing some work based learning, whether that be actual teaching or just helping out with illustration/artistic purposes.
The third illustration emphasises where I want to be, to be successful in making plans and getting to know the right people in order to be an original artist/teacher of the arts.
I plan to get there in five years time because certain courses whether if they are internships in another country or a degree in the same college that i am at, i wish to become something better than i am now. i do no want to be unemployed and i do not want my artistic talent wasted.

Work Based Learning

Currently I am helping out with Lipson Vale Primary School in Plymouth, whereas they wanted to update one of their beautiful small gardens. This particular garden has much promise, therefore a makeover is what they want to do. It will be called the 'Giant's garden', making the theme obvious. The teachers wanted an outdoor space where their class of 20 or more children could go outside and learn as well as play make-believe.
What will be included is a magnetic board attached to one of the entrances, having children to rearrange wooden magnetic letters to make sentences in order for them to enter; the other entrance will be like the wardrobe in Narnia, an opening of an archway in a very Art Nouveau style; a chair in the same style; a walkthrough where the children can dress up, a giants footprint that can be placed on concrete, sand and grass, and can also be washed off easily.
The school for this project are in partnership with a company named RIO (Real Ideas Organisation).
RIO is a social enterprise that creates opportunities for young people and adults. Their company was founded in 2007 and based in the Southwest, RIO operates nationally and internationally working with a whide range of customers. RIO is dedicated to providing developmental services for schools, local authorities, government departments and national partners. They aim to support schools to innovate and improve, build job opportunites for young people such as myself, and to help make change to community culture.

For the start of this project, I went over to the school and we all discussed our ideas of how we were going to begin this big project. There were the teachers from the school, Richard from graphic design, me the illustrator and Ben Gavan from RIO.

We believed that it would be best to get the giant footprint template out of the way first. Richard did this.

And I was to do the alphabet. The second design, because the first was too elborate for the children, looks like this:

An Art CV would include...

NORMAL CV
Name, Contact details, Profile, Educational history, Employment/work experience, Interests, References

ART CV
Same. But also...
Publication history, Workshops, Exhibitions (that you were in, that you curated).

It is obvious that the employer would like to have the most recent information first, and for the CV to be in easy to read, therefore an easy and simple format would be advisable; as I know from experience that many employers merely skim and tick the appropriate boxes of things that they want to see when emplyoing someone for a specific job.

:)

Professional Developmental Practice

Different kinds of jobs in Illustration:

-scientific -children's books -film/animation -editorial -portrait

-propaganda -political -music -graphic novels -manga

-Comics -digital -fashion and retail -interior design -architecture

-fine art -tattoo design -toy design -packaging -concept art

-game design -teaching -gift card design -advertising -web design

-graffiti -street art -make up artist -art therapy

ADVERTISING

PROS

lots of money

experience in different areas

lots of work

CONS

short time to complete work

a lot of travelling

a lot of research

FINE ART ILLUSTRATION

PROS

never ending creativity

unique

self-directed

CONS

not as popular

not as much money in it

hard to get a job in this area

SKILLS NEEDED

-Communication -soft skills/interpersonal skills -strategies

-organisation -time management -team work

-patience -flexibility -responsibility

-practical skills -qualifications -determination

-numeracy skills -personal presentation

AREAS I WANT TO DEVELOP:

-soft skills/interpersonal skills

-flexibility

-personal presentation

-self motivation

-time management

-numeracy skills

AREAS I AM GOOD AT:

-self motivation

-team work

-communication

-organisational skills

-time management

-responsibility

-practical skills and knowledge

'Why I have chosen Illustration as Course'

I have chosen Illustration as a course because for me, it is relevant to what I want to achieve in the field of being creative and doing Art as a career. I have done Fine Art throughout my GCSE's and A Levels ands I thought it was time for a change in what I am learning. Fine Art, as a practise, is a very detailed in how one wants to express their technique as well as message through mostly painting. It was always painting for me, because my college was lacking in money and equipment at the time. For example, I did not know what a MAC or th program Illustrator existed.

I guess, I always wanted to either teach something artistic or learn more experiences, thus, a course on Illustration and Print.

I have felt for quite some time that this course that I am on, has opened new doors for me. I have learnt so much more in the space of a few months, and this is only my first year. It has truly opened my eyes to the possibilities of how many jobs are related to Illustration alone. This is another reason, because Illustration as a general artistic practise is more up-to-date, than Fine Art pieces, and in more demand of employing.

Earlier experiences of my life have led me to my destination within this course; I have done tile screen printing as a part time job, learning the basics of Illustrator and Photoshop and working as a volunteer for a web designer to do his Administration (this in itself, includes Dreamweaver). These experiences have shown me that I have become interested in the computer side to Illustration and that, more learning and practice is needed in order for me to understand everything that I need to know. And after I have achieved what I wanted to achieve, I can look back at those experiences and say, I have done a lot in the space of a few years. I am still young, after all.

I am still not sure what it is within this course what will gain me a place in an amazing job, but I know that this is the right choice. I know from the fact that this is a very demanding course. I was currently doing six projects at the same time, and this is itself shows the mice from the men within one's determination and time limits (which is what is it all about for an Illustrator). So therefore, though I am stressed from the constant deadlines that inter-lap each other, I know that in the long run, the more I do now, the more I know in the future.

Compared to other courses, courses such as Biology etc, an art course shows me that there is so much potential around me. People within art courses, I find, are more willing to welcome one and compare ideas as well as work together. Therefore, within the few months that I have been here, I have grown confidence and now believe that as well as experience, I will fine and converse with people that can make me go further in life. I have learnt ages ago, that is it always about who you know and what you know that gets you further in life.

I initially changed this questions from 'course' rather than 'career' because I am truly still unsure about what I want to do as a job. I know that I have said beforehand that I might want to work as a teacher in a art, but to be truthful, this is only a back-up; a safety net I do not get a greater more fulfilling job.

All in all, I think something art based, either learning as I go, or teaching those to do what I know will benefit for people in the future and let me show my public speaking skills as well as show my experience and potential in being someone and something in this life. I want to do something worthwhile and I believe that learning more in this demanding course will help me get there.

Personal and Professional Developmental Plan (and WB1)

DESCRIPTION DATE OBTAINED

Qualifications: June 2007

GCSE Fine Art, grade A*

GCSE Graphic Design, grade C

GCSE English, grade B

GSCE History, grade C

GSCE Math, grade C

GCSE Science, grade C

A Level Fine Art, grade A June 2009

A Level English, grade C

A Level History, grade C

Foundation Degree, Illustration and Print Ongoing

Achievements:

Winner of three Art Medals, one Art Cup June 2002-2005

Winner of ‘Write Now!’ Short Story competition January 2003

Manual Screen-printing Apprentice Ongoing

Commission-based Artist Ongoing

Published Author and self-illustration on book cover December 2010

SWOT analysis – where do you want to be?

Using your research, complete your short and long-term goals (Be SMART)

SHORT TERM - Finish my course, learn work based aspects, get to know people in areas of art, get information and research together to get a better understanding, ask questions, get involved in work experience in this area

LONG TERM - With the work experience, gain a respectful looking CV related in art and get a job in that sector, as well as do commissions etc in the mean time, but also have a part time job just in case.

SWOT analysis

Do a SWOT analysis of your goals based on your research

Strengths

-I am doing some work experience based on my knowledge in illustration

-I have done and will keep on doing commissions, however this is fine art based

-not afraid to give work experience in a sector of my ability that I am not strong in, a go

Weaknesses

-even though I do have work experience, my knowledge of illustration is limited as I am on my first year

-I like doing fine art pieces more

-time limits/deadlines, means I sometimes cannot do the best of my ability, which sometimes shows to the person that I am not good enough

Opportunities

-informed on constant competitions and work experience

-my background and knowledge can get me far

-who I know and where to look

Threats -other, better students -funds -who you know confidence -guidance -time limits

SWOT analysis -

Personal and Professional Development Plan (Be SMART)

Based on your completed SWOT analysis -

Write a personal statement about your goal

My goal is to do Fine Art as a practise, either to professionally make and sell art, or to teach my knowledge to other students. I want to do this for the rest of my life because I knew from a young age that this is what I want to do; this is where I am creative, there is what I am passionate about and this is where I am more myself, more upbeat and happy. I do art for the sake of others to see what I see, and I wish to share the knowledge I have gained so others will know what it is like to do something you feel strongly about. With art, it shows the best of me.

Write a personal statement about your immediate goals and how you intend to achieve these

My immediate goals would include carrying on with my course and what it has got to offer. Keep a look out for competitions and work experience, Collect work experience and competition entries in portfolio for CV

Write a personal statement about your goals for the next 18 months and how you intend to achieve these.

My goals for the next 18 months would include collecting all of my research and experience to be made into a CV/portfolio showing the best of my ability.

Write a personal statement about your goals for the next 3 years and how you intend to achieve these

With the research and experience all placed in a portfolio/CV, I intend to present this to any contacts I have gained in the last 3 years. I want to have an internship or a course dedicated in working for a company who will give me more knowledge or who I can work with and get paid after the internship.

Job Profiles in my subject area

PRINTMAKER

Job description

A printmaker is an artist who designs and makes prints. Techniques such as woodcuts or silk-screens are used to create images which are transposed onto surfaces, generally using a printing press.

Printmakers increasingly use electronic or digital printing processes alongside more traditional craft-based methods. This has increased collaborative working with computer artists.

Many established printmakers teach and run classes to support themselves and finance their work. They may also offer technical or advisory support to educational organisations.

Some experienced printmakers manage a team of printmakers operating from shared workshop facilities. They may also offer other artistic and design services, as well as printing.

Typical work activities

Typical work activities include:

• using printmaking techniques such as etching, screen printing, lithography, relief printing (e.g. woodcut, linocut), and computer-generated images to produce prints;
• printing on a variety of surfaces, e.g. plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood and paper;
• responding to a client’s brief;
• advising clients on the technical aspects of production;
• producing prints to specifications, for example when working as a master printer for artists;
• producing multiple copies of an artist’s work, otherwise known as editioning.
• being aware of and following health and safety procedures.

Common commercial or educational tasks include:

• producing promotional items, such as catalogues, t-shirts, and signs;
• printing on exhibition display stands;
• silk screen printing for posters;
• planning and delivering classes and workshops to teach printmaking techniques to artists, students or the general public.

If self-employed, additional work activities may include:

• taking responsibility for running and financing premises, e.g. a workshop or studio;
• overseeing the day-to-day tasks associated with running a small business, such as keeping accounts or developing an advertising strategy;
• taking on some part-time work, such as teaching.

I chose this job description because I have done screen printing as a job and I have just done some aspects on a beginners level of print making

and I found it highly interesting. I understood that there are different aspects of this job, such as whether it means all characteristics of printmaking are valid, such as, if the job entitled one to do everything, such as screen printing as well as lino print etc, or just one aspect of it. I have to take that in consideration, as well as the fact that this job can be placed in different categories. I have worked for a self -employed screen printer who let me do prints on tiles, rounding up to doing 150 in about 4 hours. I understand some things on that scale but nothing definate. It seems that doing something educational or commercial is more fitting for this day and age. There are job in this practise that include teaching, which I am interested in. However, this is a broad subject and without shortcuts (for e.g. screen printing, doing those 150 tiles, took that long because I had to stop and start again because of cleaning it etc). Printmaking is a time consuming job and for me, doing something that involves commercial or educational work gives me more satisfaction and can be seen by everyone, not just people around my area (around the area of a self employed screenprinter for instance).

(this is from prospectus.ac.uk)

FINE ARTIST

Job description

Fine artists create original pieces of art work, through a variety of mediums. Often specialising in a particular type of art which can be categorised in the following ways:

• two-dimensional work (drawing, painting, collage);
• three-dimensional work (sculpture, installation);
• four-dimensional work (moving images, performance).

As well as specialising in a type of art, many artists also specialise in a subject and may concentrate on areas such as landscapes, portraits or abstract.

Fine artists can be commissioned to produce a piece of work or they can create pieces from their own imagination for sale at a later date.

Typical work activities

A typical day will involve research, making art work, planning and creativity.

Tasks typically involve:

• generating ideas, idea development, sketching, making models;
• creating or developing a piece of work in response to a brief or commission;
• meeting deadlines;
• working in a studio or off-site and adhering to health and safety procedures;
• sourcing materials and developing relationships with suppliers;
• researching, visiting locations, interviewing people, using libraries and the internet;
• administration, correspondence, creating publicity;
• project planning, creating and managing a budget, financial planning, calculating expenditure;
• managing tax and self-employment issues;
• organisation and administration tasks associated with running a studio;
• writing project proposals for galleries, competitions or artist residencies;
• writing funding applications (public and private);
• applying for residencies and competitions;
• liaising with contacts, gallery owners, curators and other artists;
• curating individual and group shows;
• negotiating a sale or commission;
• self-promotion, networking, attending private views and other events;
• writing press releases;
• maintaining a portfolio which will typically include a website;
• evaluating a project and feeding back to the main funder or sponsor.

I understood that it involved 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D work as well as the fact that it is about generating ideas and meeting deadlines. I know I can draw, paint and perform, however, this list of typical jobs is far more elaborate that I thought. There is the process of understanding and managing budgets, writing and self promotion (because getting an agent is only one way of doing it) as well as getting sponsors etc. There is alot of debating and conversing with people who have your livelihood in their hands. Therefore, a clear head and the means to find trustworthy people is a quality that a fine artist needs as well as the obvious point of being able to paint, draw etc. There is alot of things that are involved that I never knew were there...

(from prospects.ac.uk)

Health and Safety Quiz

All questions need to be answered correctly in order to pass this task

Grading method: Highest grade

Summary of your previous attempts

Attempt	Completed	Grade / 15	Feedback
1	Saturday, 19 March 2011, 02:46 PM	12	I'm sorry, you have failed the test and will need to retake it
2	Saturday, 19 March 2011, 02:48 PM	14	I'm sorry, you have failed the test and will need to retake it
3	Saturday, 19 March 2011, 02:50 PM	15	Congratulations, you have passed the test

Highest grade: 15 / 15.

Overall feedback

Congratulations, you have passed the test

Popular Interview Questions

. Tell me a little about yourself?

My name is Luchia Pike, I am 20 years old and I am currently doing a Foundation Degree in Illustration and Print

. Why do you want to work for us?

I want to work for you because I know I can be a great asset to your business. As well as the fact that I have chosen to company because I have heard many good things about it and I want a piece of the action.

. What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths would have to lie in being able to converse with the public in a general informal way; or, if the situation was different, in a very polite and formal way. I show respect and understanding, I listen to instructions well and I am not afraid to ask questions. I work well in a team and I can work on my own where I use my own initiative if the situation needs it.

My weaknesses would have to be when I am thrown in the deep end and I have not got a clue what is going on. Also with some technical computer skills which I need to catch up on.

. Why should we take you on?

Because I believe that, if given the chance, I can help you and your business become something better and brighter in the future. I want to learn as much as I can so I can help you as much as I can. When I have a passion for something, I put everything in it, which I will do here.

. What are your Career Ambitions?

My ambitions lie in the artistic world, where I would want to either teach art to students, to sell and exhibit it or to be an artist in my own right and make and sell to my heart’s content.

. Why did you choose your College course and what have you

gained from it?

I chose my college course because I am not familiar with illustration and the process of printing, therefore, I wanted to broaden my horizons and seek a better understanding before I get a job lying in either this area, only in Fine Art, or in both.

. How do you deal with problems?

It actually depends on the problem. If it involves something personal and emotional, I tend to ignore it and deal with it in my own time when I am alone; therefore, if it happened in the work place, I would not cause a fuss and continue with my work. If it was from someone else who was emotionally hurting me, I would find the manager and report this abuse, and then sort it out in a calm manner. If it was from an angry customer, I would apologise, calm them down and try and get what they want or a alternative that was satisfactory or better in comparison.

. To make sure we get a good picture of you, what else should we

know about you?

I am a motivated, creative and positive individual that is dedicated to using my initiative and motivation to work hard within any environment. I am also dutiful, reliable and a team player, I have a good sense of humour, whilst performing to the best of my ability. I am fair, intellectual and inspired to learn more in every aspect of every circumstance.

. Tell me a little bit about your work experience, what did you gain from it? Was there anything that you did not like about the company you worked for?

I am currently working along side a company called RIO who specialise in getting money from the government to better the education of primary schools in and around the area of Devon/Somerset.

In this project I am the illustrator who is responsible in designing certain aspects of a garden, in which they want to change into a magical ‘Giant’s Garden’. This will involve things like a giant’s chair for story telling and giant footprint template so that it can be chalked/sprayed on the ground. I have only just begun this, but I have had a meeting with the main person behind RIO and have introduced myself to the primary teachers that want to get involved. We had a wonderful discussion about the garden and exchanged ideas and thoughts upon it. Right now, at this stage, it is wonderful to be out of my comfort zone and to converse with people who I never knew about something I adore so much. It is refreshing and enlightening. At this early stage, I cannot find anything I do not like.

. What skills do you think you can offer?

I can offer so much if given the right amount of training and confidence. All I need is a chance to show you what I can offer. The skills I have right now involve much in customer service, such as waitressing, taking orders, answering the telephone etc as well as artistically where I am currently a screen-printer’s apprentice, specialising in tiles, as well as doing work experience with companies, like I have said, and having experience in mentoring/helping out teachers of art with their class. I have many skills that I can offer in many general areas.

. This is a busy job, how do you think you would prioritise?

I would prioritise myself by the routine of the business and to slide in without disturbing this; only when everyone and everything is satisfied by my presence will I make suggestions and present ideas that will ultimately make the job easier.

. Give me an example of when you worked using your own

initiative?

When I was working in a small café that was connected to a small shop near where I used to live, I was the head waitress as well as the shop assistant (where I would be left with customers on my own). Under my team of waiters was the cook’s husband, who was happy to converse with the customers but not too quick with orders. One day, the place was completely full. Overall, there are about 30 tables inside and outside of the café and I was waitressing them all as well as now and again, going into the small shop and seeing if anyone needed serving. I took my own initiative by going over there when things were quiet or when I noticed people going over there. As well as that, I would make a mental list of requests from the customers and do them in order, so people were not left out and kept waiting. This was a very demanding job, especially in the summer.

. Give me an example of when you worked as part of a team?

In another job, I was a Sales Assistant where I was part of a team of Sales Assistants (there were usually 3 of us) who were responsible of filling up the shelves, keeping the shelves tidy, cleaning up any general mess but most importantly serving customers in the front two tills that were closest to the doors (there was another team of about 10 people who worked in and behind the pharmacy at the far end). Within this little team, we would generally ask each other business related questions, such as if something has been done or not done etc, as well as help each other on the tills. In the last year of working there, the Sales Assistants I knew have all gone to college/university, therefore, there were different people all the time. This, however, did not affect the teamwork that I have said about before.