End of Module Evaluation - OUIL 401

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

  Skills I think I have developed through this module relate more to research and applying knowledge – however there are a few more that I think I have developed for example, adapting to a format of working that is new to me, being a presenter of ideas etc. As the practical part of Context of Practice was to produce a “diagram of…” or “anatomy of…” and I think I have approached this in an original way – as the format is certainly not that of an explicit diagram however still has the same function of explaining something to others. Presenting is certainly a skill, especially presenting a pecha kucha which is concise, I know that this is important in terms of PPP also, I understand this is a skill that I will be taking forward. I also there is skill in relating the “context of practice” to the other strands of illustration and understanding this is something considered throughout – especially when researching.

2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your practical outcomes?

This module has been heavily research based – having to research for the essay, research for a ‘map of understanding’ and there has been a lot of visual research done. Finding appropriate books, articles and images to reference in an essay has been one of the more rigorous types of research – however looking at information in a speculative way to create an initial argument is a method I used. For instance, I had been reading a lot about Hieronymus Bosch during the introduction to COP and found I could devise a question from there. When briefed on the practical part of the module, this was the beginning of developing a body of visual research, through ‘speculative drawing’ – which has helped me wrestle with and solve a problem.  I think one of my successes has been synthesising one part of my argument and through research made another interesting point – for instance – researching mascotism and developing a link between Jesus Christ and Boris Johnson and Ronald McDonald. Also in terms of the Visual Diagram you can identify a distinction between visual research of alternative diagrams and the diagram that has finally been made.  

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

 One of my strengths throughout this module is that I have offered original, maybe slightly controversial ideas based on relevant issues – and I think capitalising on this I should base my work more on topical issues, inside and outside of COP. My visual diagram is clear, but still thought-provoking in terms of making the viewer think about the connections made – especially as it is not a typical ‘diagram’. I also think in terms of my essay, I have made connection to various points about visuals in certain eras and in different societies and managed to synthesise my findings – however I think the question I chose is super broad, but I’m still happy with how I approached and answered it.  

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

A weakness that I should have targeted, as I know through other modules how important it is, I should have roughed more before I made my diagram – I should have perhaps tested more before just buying into creating a collage relating to the aesthetic of my reference material straight away. This is something I must target not only here but throughout my other modules – balancing research with practical. If I could do something else different it would be to make my essay question more focussed – for instance looking at my whole body of work, an essay on just mascotism in the developed world would have been a much more concise essay.  

5. Identify five things that you feel will benefit you during next years Context of Practice module?

• Blogging continuously, and between studio briefs, I think I will benefit from this and this process will give me a more thorough understanding of what COP is – perhaps treat COP a little like PPP. Remember that this module exists.
• With the essay – do more than two drafts to devise a more refined argument – make sure I reference within more explicitly.
• If given the choice, perhaps base the module on something that is more relatable to my own practice and what message I want to get across – for instance, ‘outsider illustrators’ and the struggle between creating what you want and having to please a client. This is something I do feel quite strongly about because it’s something I’m scared of having to deal with.
• Keeping a proper context of practice sketchbook, to document the whole module visually and make better sense of the module as a whole and its relationship with practical illustration and other modules that run alongside.
• Not underestimating the importance of COP within my timetable and academic diary – I think this goes for all future ‘long thin modules’.