My Self Assessment - Learning Outcomes
Questions & Answers
Learning Outcome 1: Aptitude & Ability in Elected Areas: What skills or strengths do you think you demonstrated in these electives? What did you learn that confirmed your choices? Where did you struggle, and how did you improve?
↳ At the start of my project I looked at different primary sources I explored different forms of light and how they behave, which shows thoughtful research and development. I noticed how Mirrorball's scatter light in unpredictable, playful patterns, how sunlight creates warmth and growth, and how flowers physically grow towards light. A skill that I learned was how to use a drill. I found using the drill exciting and fun although slightly terrifying, as it was my first time using one, after a while my arms started to hurt which was a struggle but I persevered through to get it done! For my metal sculpture I drilled holes into a metal sheet. Once I finished this I went to photograph it by lighting it up and making it move. Working with light often requires adjusting angles, surfaces, and timing this demonstrates adaptability and technical problem‑solving as while I was photographing it I explored the different things I could do with the lights. Throughout this project while doing a lot of photography I also developed skills in light manipulation, composition planning, and material exploration. I now feel as though I have improved in photography.
Learning Outcome 2: Creative Use of Materials, Media, Processes: Which materials or processes did you explore? What creative risks did you take? How did your material choices support your ideas?
↳ My project used a mix of hands on material across sculpture, fashion, and ceramics. I bent and shaped metal to create curved, reflective forms, used wire inside fabric so I could mould and move the material, and worked with shiny and sparkly textiles that reacted strongly to light. This was also a risk as they can be difficult to shape and can look messy if they do not catch the light properly . In ceramics, I shaped and curved clay pieces that continued with the theme of movement and reflection. Throughout all of this, light itself was part of the process, observing how sunlight and mirrorball reflections changed the appearance and movement of each material. Working with reflective surfaces, natural light, and organic forms showed me that these materials naturally respond to light in dynamic ways. This confirmed that the materials I chose worked well for my project.
Learning Outcome 3: Research & Contextual Understanding: What research did you carry out? Which artists, designers, or movements influenced your work? How did your research appear in your final outcomes or Tumblr?
↳ I looked at artists who work with light and movement, some of my favourites are, Bill Culbert’s incredible light sculptures, Margaret O’Rourke and her magnificent ceramic light work, and fashion designer Clara Daguin and her beautiful outfits using light! I also used my favourite singing and songwriter Taylor Swift and her song Mirrorball from the folklore album this is one of my favourite songs! I also drew personal inspiration from things I've always loved, like the sun symbol in Tangled as well as the magic flower that glows. All of this research helped me understand how light behaves and guided the ideas behind my sculpture, fashion, and ceramic art work. I showcased my artist research as well as my primary research on Tumblr to show where my inspiration came from.
Learning Outcome 4: Creative & Conceptual Development: What ideas were you trying to communicate? How did your concepts change as the project developed? What parts of the project show your conceptual thinking best?
↳ I was trying to communicate how light can change the way objects look, move, and feel, and how both natural things like flowers and sunlight and man‑made things like mirrorballs react to light in different ways. My ideas started with simply watching how light moves across surfaces, but as the project developed I began thinking more about growth, reflection and sparkle, with light. The curved shapes I made in metal, fabric, and clay show the way flowers bend toward the sun and how light can move. My use of shiny and reflective materials also shows my ideas clearly, because they demonstrate the movement and sparkle I was exploring. The whole project became a mix of observation, symbolism, and my own personal connection to the primary sources I chose and how they interreact with light.
Learning Outcome 5: Commitment, Motivation, Self‑Reliance: How consistently did you work throughout the electives? How did you manage your time or overcome challenges? What evidence shows independent thinking or initiative?
↳ I stayed committed to the project by working through all three electives and keeping my focus on the theme of light. I managed my time by planning out what I needed to do each week and switching between sculpture, fashion, and ceramics so I always had something to work on. When problems came up, like trying to shape metal or getting fabric to hold its form, I solved them by experimenting and trying different approaches until something worked. My independent thinking shows how I chose my own primary sources, like mirrorballs, sunlight, and flowers, and used them to guide my ideas. I also showed initiative by connecting all my electives through curves, reflection, light and movement, which helped me build a clear theme across the whole project.
Learning Outcome 6: How did you bridge your three elective areas? We had 5 intended learning outcomes for you but did you discover any unintended learning outcomes?
↳ Overall I had a lot of fun working on my project in my three chosen electives and I am happy with the work I have made for the project!! In each elective I tried to link my previous work to each other. In terms of any extra learning outcomes I’ve learnt that you can find inspiration anywhere. At times in during project, I felt a bit lost or have a lack of ideas, I would go for a quick walk and soon find inspiration again and after these walks I have created some of my favourite pieces in this project. I found these little walk breaks helped me reset my brain before creating art again. This is something I learned about myself during this project. My favourite pieces from each elective: In sculpture I really loved making my light box, by getting a strip of metal and drilling holes into it. I especially enjoyed taking photos of this piece as I learned so much through experimentation with light and manipulating it. In fashion my favourite piece is my first design which I collaged with previous photos from my sculpture elective onto a big paper model, I also drew out this design as well as getting fabric that best matched the collage, and drawing then I starting to make the top part of the dress, I used wire and stuffing to increase the movement. Finally in my ceramic elective my favourite piece is my clay flower that can hold a candle I had a lot of fun making a mould for the petals out of paper and then attaching the all the clay pieces together. I unfortunately won't get to include the final fired version with underglazes and glazes in my project as it won't be done until after the assessment, but I will be finishing this piece in my own time!