OUIL 401: End of Module Self Evaluation

Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION	Level	04
OUIL401 Context of Practice	Credits	20
End of Module Self Evaluation

Name	Kimberley Burrows (KB261215)

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I have developed a number of key skills thanks to the Context of Practice module this year. I have advanced in my ability to Harvard Reference correctly and effectively ensuring texts can be accurately researched again and again. My scope of research methods have expanded, looking to Google Books, J-Stor and journals in the library, going beyond news articles and blogs online to triangulate with, resulting in a more academic and professional tone of voice in my writing. I have learned the technique of synthesising contextual research with using a visual journal in tandem with that research to unpick and analyse key elements. My skills in triangulating texts has soared with confidence and I feel like I am much more able to look at art theory and contemporary illustration, drawing comparisons, asking questions and form debates, analysing images in-depth and reflecting upon my own work.
2. What approaches to / methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your practical outcomes?
The breadth of research I undertook for the analysis and relevance of style in illustration informed my visual journal outcomes tremendously and also allowed me to go beyond researching in books and looking to magazines and newspapers for content. The Varoom Illustration Report was a crucial find. Reading the articles gave me inspiration to play with the idea of style and how differing aesthetics can alter the communication of a message in political symbols and deconstructed propaganda elements. Reflecting not these in my blog was paramount to keep investigating and iterating ideas.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I have a particular strength in maintaining a comprehensive and cohesive blog; combining weekly lecture and seminar notes, crit and discussion reflections and any questions raised, library research, image research, trips and visual journal progress. As well as documenting my journey throughout the year, I have created a powerful database of my thoughts, feelings, struggles and reflections which I can revisit in the future to consider how things can be done better in more advanced COP modules where the work will be more demanding.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I get too excited with researching, which I enjoy tremendously, and find I can produce too much research going beyond what was needed. I tried to solve so many things from my quote and subsequently found it difficult to refine what I wanted to tackle with my work. I had to really filter through my findings and clarify what I wanted to say. I tend to overthink and overcomplicate!
5. Identify five things that you feel will benefit you during next years Context of Practice module?
• Having a clearer idea of what I would like to explore, by completing my COP2 proposal, gives me a precursor to what I want to unpick and contextualise - rather than from a set quote as with this year. I lost interest in my quote halfway through the module and wished I had chosen something that would have retained my interest. However, with the ability to now choose my own subject matter I feel I won't grow bored or disinterested in the content as it is something I genuinely want to explore further in a theoretical, practical and synthesised way. • Being able to triangulate, analyse images and Harvard Reference will make the essay writing process much more efficient next year. • Learning from my mistakes. I feel like I've hit many brick walls, dead ends and hardships this year with COP and I, more often than not, felt lost and like I had no direction. Because of this, I think I have built strength of character and confidence in my ability to research independently and regroup through plans of action and this should streamline the process next year ensuring I won't feel as off-track. • I have a much better understanding of what is required from me in a written and practical sense. • I've been rather limited in my access to media and materials due to many factors - including cost, time restraints and availability of workshops. I want to have a better consideration of materials next year to explore an exhaustive range of ideas and approaches, to further synthesise my theoretical and practical work.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’) 5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance				x
Punctuality					x
Motivation			x
Commitment				x
Quantity of work produced					x
Quality of work produced				x
Contribution to the group					x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self-evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

A copy of your end of module self evaluation should be posted to your studio practice blog.

This should be the last post before the submission of work and will provide the starting point for

the assessment process. Post a copy of your evaluation to your COP blog as evidence of your

own ongoing evaluation.