Through my time at Uni doing a Design & Crafts course, I have learnt a lot of things. Not only practical, but also what I enjoy, what inspires me and what I do best. So in an ironic sense, by going through uni I have come to realise I think I would be better suited at a course like the Design BA at Goldsmiths, for their conceptual and communicative take on Design. However in saying this, I think I would have longed to study colour theory, try screen printing and ultimately have the outlook of an artist, craftsperson and designer simultaneously.
I was very excited to view this degree show for this reason, and I left full of ideas and inspiration for my own work. I feel like I have a strength on my degree course to have a conceptual edge, though I feel my lacking love of making is a hinderance. Though by acknowledging this I can now see ways through and past that, and I got many tips from the impressive work I saw today. Here are my key examples:
The Interconnected Web of Things - Alaine Burns
Mapping! - I loved this for it's relevance to my own projects and interests. The use of collage, drawing and comical 'map of lasagnes' were all interesting, exciting and efficient communication tools
De-Ikea-fy-Ikea - Liz Baldwin
I again enjoyed the visual presentation of this work. It became obvious to me as I toured that nearly everyone presents a video and bound books to communicate their concept. I particularly liked the use of words with/without images. There was also a 'demo desk' - and other pieces provided forms of interaction for the viewer.
Astronauts and Beekeepers - Sophie Cook
I was attracted to this piece by the large attractive collage which was mounted on the wallspace. I spoke with Sophie about the visual communication they get encouraged to do - as I feel drawing, collage and poetry were a key part of many of the displays. She said that, in having conceptual projects, it is important to be able to communicate your ideas well. There is a graphic element to the course, which shows through by these presentation spaces. This has made me reflect a lot upon my own visual communication skills, and what I can bring to presentations to help people understand my process and my work.
Language as a Construction - Danae Papazymouri
This piece was centred upon the idea of 'designing a new language'. I thought this as a concept is very novel and interesting, but obviously a load of made up nonsense. Which makes you reflect upon what they're marking, and I think above all it's about innovation and ability to communicate. It is also clear that you need to have an interest and passion in design. I feel on my course there's more of an emphasis on having a passion for a material, or for a process etc (physical things). But I shouldn't be deterred and I should let myself think outside of the box
Suburban Delusion - Emma Filippides
I liked the idea of 'Colour Poetry', and the book with examples amongst the cluttered interactive display. There isn't too much of a worry here of people interacting and pinching or damaging things. I feel this a connection I could make with my work.
I Ate Fernando - Vicki Wong
Channelling the idea of a journey/ a passage of time. An example of poetry and mapping an experience.
(pub) Church - Fern Damrongwattanopkin
This piece investigated our associations with functions or spaces and places. This is a concept which interests me also, and I think it was well communicated with the use of floor plans and words.
There were many other ideas that I thought were fun, such as this one;
So, to conclude, I feel an important notion I left with was the idea that a book is interactive. I can start there, make books, posters, 3D pieces etc which investigate my concept. It isn't about having an idea and making something to show it, it is about working with materials and using them to explore the concept. I basically need to work on my visual communication, but also use this to help me make work.
For my course, I need to refine but also explore. I need simple beautifully made things, and a well communicated concept
My work revolves around the idea of narratives, linking to the concepts of books and maps and the properties they share. I like my work to be interactive, thinking how it can be similar to a book or map but not a book or a map. Maybe more spatial.
I've been thinking of looking as desks for my research, and I realised that is typically where people have most ideas and make work. I very much enjoyed all the presentation I saw today, so I feel I need to get the balance right between my conceptual work and my eventual outcomes, because I feel I am approaching my third year at an angle no one has before.
But if I work on my visual communication, and keep on researching, I'm sure it will all naturally evolve... Fingers crossed for my show time!
