10 things that I have learned about myself as an individual and a learner:
- I've learned that I need to try and organise myself a bit better, by keeping up to date with my blogging, as I seem to fall behind on it quite often.
- I've come to learn that I tend to lay around at the weekends, as I don't have a job anymore so can find myself doing nothing for days.
- I need to learn how to shop for food properly still, as I never buy the right kind of things. Should probably learn some recipes so that I can cook some substantial dinners.
- I have learned how to keep my room organised and tidy, and it makes it more of a working environment than my room at home.
- I've learned that I need something active to do outside of uni, so that I keep myself busy. Am probably going to join a dance class or something, as it will also get me a lot fitter and healthier, so I don't miss so many days from being ill and absent.
- I've learned that stress causes migraines so I need to relax a lot more. I think making sure that I do my work over the week in equal amounts, this will make me less stressed out as I won't be so behind on my blogging for everything.
- I have learned that I find it easier to do my work when I'm with someone else who is doing their's at the same time. After realising this, I've gone round to friend's houses to do work with them, as it keeps me motivated and engaged, and it doesn't seem like I'm working as hard as I am, as I get to hold conversation during.
- I have learned how to make friends with more people, as at home I tended to stick to the friends that I already knew. However from moving so far away from home, I knew nobody so had to learn how to stop being so shy and how to communicate properly with other human beings.
- I have learned that I take money for granted and was far too used to having too much money that I could spend on whatever I wanted to. I have also realised that I used buy things that are ridiculously expensive just because I could, and that when you have to fend for yourself, it's a lot harder to treat yourself.
- I have learned that washing clothes is a hassle and costs a lot of money in halls. I have also learned that washing clothes on a low heat so that you can put colours and whites in together, means that stains do not come out and you feel as though your clothes aren't even clean.
- I have learned some more software skills, and have come to realise that I am actually really good on software. I have also noticed that the course I did last year put me a step up above some of the other students when it comes to software, and I have found that I'm quite good at helping others with their software queries.
- I have learned that I have am very attentive when it comes to attention to detail in design, and will find myself sitting there for hours just to make sure that the design I make is spot on. I have also become a lot quicker at making sure design details are as perfect as I can get them, in comparison to how I was at college.
- I've learned that nice stock improves the final outcome of a design piece, and therefore have found myself experimenting with all sorts of stock weights and colours.
- I have come to learn that as a designer, I like to get straight into designing rather than spending hours researching previous design ideas. I think this could be due to the fact that on my last course we had to fill an entire sketchbook with research before we could come up with ideas, and I feel that I have become bored of this.
- I've learned a lot about colour and how it can be used effectively in designs, and feel that this new colour knowledge will help to improve my future designs and will help me to become more of an experienced designer.
- I have learned that I can draw out typography to a high standard, and I have also found that I really enjoy sitting with a fine liner and some paper and drawing letters. I knew before that I enjoyed doing this, but have found myself enjoying it even more whilst being at uni.
- I have learned that good design takes time, and that I can often find myself distracted or annoyed at the time process in which it can often take to design something.
- I've learned that I find it a lot easier to work on my own than in a team of designers, as you can never really know how the other team member will produce their part of the design. I think that if you know exactly how that person works, then working as a team would be really suited, however it is hard to work with someone who you barely know.
- I have learned that trying to tackle design work and processes for uni whilst trying to do some design work for someone outside of uni is quite time consuming and a bit of a hassle. It is hard to find time to have a breather and relax if you're working all the time. I have also found that someone who offers you work and likes it once it's completed, doesn't necessarily pay you for it so it can feel like a waste of time.
- I've learned that producing final pieces (if they need cutting out or mocking up) is extremely time consuming and should be done in advance so that you don't feel like you need to rush to get it done. I have also found that printing costs a bomb and is where all my student loans seem to go!
