Knowledge
Demonstrating an in-depth awareness of practical and contextual knowledge, and a deepening recognition of subject boundaries
- I have formed a clear foundation of knowledge for my project by attending additional studies such as the one with the RPS on the photographic genre of social documentary through the three series of ‘Looking to the present, looking to the past’ with Colin Pantall
- I have attended workshops to learn the alternative printing technique of platinum and palladium and carbon transfer printing. I have continued to research other practitioners who work in this area to obtain the most appropriate tones and details for the images I have created
- I have attending on-line talks and presentations on alternative printing methods with Lux et Libera to improve my techniques and experience in presenting my work to an international audience
- I have attending workshops with Sunderland University to understand how I can progress onto a practice-based PhD course following the completion of my degree.
Understanding
Selecting, testing and interpreting relevant and detailed research, and applying fluent critical thinking and creativity to produce highly effective and individual ideas and outcomes.
- I have completed research throughout this course on different ways to design photobooks. How the design can affect the narrative. The importance of the design to help the reader understand the project and how the use and placement of text should not distract from the images.
- The use of software tools allowed me to produce and experiment with different formats and to produce a range of narratives in a simple and easy processes, however it was important to discover that an electronic version is very different to that of a physical book. The electronic printout often failed to portray the narrative I wanted when I asked for peer review. Looking for alternative methods was important.
- I have learnt the importance of understanding the design through printing and creating a series of books that I can use to obtain peer and professional feedback. To review that feedback and reflect and apply changes and to retest my new ideas, thus refining my design.
- The use of the maquette in the editing and curating of my exhibition allowed me to visualise and experiment with different ways to hang the images. This technique has been extremely valuable when the exhibition space is often not available to you prior to hanging your work.
Application
Applying increasingly professional personal and graduate skills to initiate and sustain studies and emerging practice, and highly relevant practical, technical, and communication skills to articulate ideas, and outcomes effectively.
- I have continued to attend on-line talks and presentations that are based around social documentary and ones where I am able to promote and discuss my project
- I have continued my research and practice into alternative printing techniques by attending a workshop on carbon transfer printing and intend to develop this area of my practice in the future
- I have completed the engagement with printers to produce fifty copies which I aim to sell via social media promotion and at the exhibition
- I have submitted work to on-line competitions that relate to social documentary
- I have taken part in online graduate submissions with my project ‘Inside the shell’
- I have created and will continue progress the bespoke website for the project
- I have attended online courses for my next stages of education
Michele Usher 