I think this whole process of taking notes on my design process has really helped me understand and develop (for the better) my skills on improving the way I work. For example, I'd never really thought twice of the things I do naturally or subconsciously, and putting them into a blog like this allows me to break it down and analyse what I do well and where I don't do as good.
I've recognised that I take quite a lot of notes and make myself 'to-do' lists, these help me greatly, even to how my desk is presented or the amount of work, paper and images on the desk. I've discovered I work best with a lot of inspiration around me; with regards to my very first post where I said I can be quite spontaneous, I now realise that in order for me to think of something quickly I have to have time to think or to analyse, or to research what I'm doing or am expected to do.
I've also realised that I do work hard, especially when I enjoy projects. And from now on I'm going to try an make every project, a project I like. I'm going to work at my own pace, in my own messy style, creating my own sketchbook technique of my own and not stemming from what other people are doing. Tutorials have taught me that everyone works differently, and I should work in a way that suits me, and not what others are doing. I've learnt that I should keep everything I produce and put it in for assessment as it often shows where I have worked, failed but moved on a progressed from that.
This blog also gave me time to think of other issues and factors that can affect my work, one of them being my personal life. In one of my posts I said I found it hard to concentrate because at that time I was arguing with my girlfriend over being stressed out. I think that I have to make sure I get my priorities right in the future with regards to the amount of workload I have and the amount of time I have free. I can prevent this by making daily to do lists and sticking to them, or even to the extent where I turn of my phone when I feel stressed, and take frequent breaks. I think it's important to have an equal balance of 'work and play'.
I now approach projects with an open frame of mind, and I find it helps me greatly if I jot notes all over the brief (I found with projects like 'Colour', that when I made notes separately from the brief that I deviated from what the brief was asking me to do), and not on separate pages. I also have learnt that all these projects will benefit me and now go in with a good frame of mind instead of "this is a waste of time" idea.
I think keeping this blog has allowed me to develop some corrective action with regards to my design process, which if I stick to will allow me to work efficiently and to a high standard. This is only my first year of properly focusing on design and I understand I still have a lot to learn and gain from my own working technique and so I do intend to keep this blog after this assessment to allow me to further continue and understand how I work in order for me, to eventually, master a technique that full suits me.
