Evaluation - OUGD401

Context of Practice has been somewhat of a challenging module for me. It has tested my ability to write academically, something of which I have not always been so good at, so this has given me a chance to develop not just my own conceptual knowledge of graphic design as a subject, but how to get to grips with what it takes to write correctly, giving me valuable insights on how my dissertation should look in the future.

When it came to choosing a question, passion had to be a factor for me, and Consumerism was my personal go to. I enjoy studying the effects that design can have on people and what reactions it can generate in the average person. Going down the route of semiotics was not an easy subject for me to get to grips with, but once I’d narrowed it down to technology branding, it was easier for me to analyze the effects a brand can have to the consumer.

Throughout my time looking through books, searching academic resources online and even taking notes in lectures, I found myself asking so many questions regarding my writing, some of which I struggled to communicate in my writing due to only having 3000 words to express them. However, this is something I need to get used to for the future as it isn’t going to change, and I shouldn’t let quantity cloud a correct writing structure.

As much as I found this module challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main factor I found that was limiting me, though, was my time management. Having 4 different deadlines so close together at the end of the year, I found myself wishing I had stuck to my guns and got onto finishing my essay at a more appropriate time earlier on in the year. I realise that this is an unavoidable feat that I must adjust to if I’m going to be successful in my second and third year of study, and most importantly, in employment.

To address my shortcomings, I aim for 100% attendance and to precipitate in more group orientated tasks that will help me get to grips with what I’m investigating and essentially what I choose to write about within my given subject. Not only will this help me personally, but it will help my peers at the same time, as I often find myself thinking of pointers that could help them within their writing also.

This module has given me valuable insights on how I should plan out my year of study and not leave things to the last minute which was incredibly unprofessional of me. I have suffered the consequence’s and will not let something along the lines of this affect my studies again. I want my second year COP module to be successful and I am sure to be on the ball with attending lecture’s, seminar’s, tutorial’s and group critiques. I enjoy developing my conceptual knowledge and will not let other modules get in the way of that.