Developing the Major Study Planning Folder
I continued working on the Major Study Planning Folder, using the assignment brief as the main structure for organising the document. The purpose of this folder is to clearly define the project before full production continues, including the concept, intended outcomes, audience, dissemination strategy, schedule, risks, documentation plan, and personal learning goals.
At this stage, I focused on making sure the document responds directly to the required sections of the brief rather than simply presenting the project visually. The brief makes it clear that the planning folder should explain what the project is, why it is a strong idea, how it will be produced, and how the final work will demonstrate the required learning outcomes. This means the document needs to be specific, especially in the deliverables section, where general statements are not enough.
I have been developing the folder as a professional project plan. This includes refining the project concept, identifying the target audience, outlining the final submission materials, and connecting the production schedule to the available time before the final deadline. The Gantt chart is especially important because it shows how modelling, texturing, Unreal Engine development, documentation, presentation work, and final review will be managed across the project timeline.
Another important part of the folder is the documentation proposal. The brief explains that the blog should not only record progress, but also reflect on design decisions, evaluate the work, and show how the project relates to current creative practice. Because of this, I am planning to use the blog as an ongoing reflective record, documenting technical development, problem-solving, visual research, and critical evaluation of the environment as it develops.
This process has helped me understand that the Planning Folder is not just an administrative document. It is a way of testing whether the project is realistic, manageable, and clearly connected to the assessment requirements. It also helps identify weaker areas early, such as sections that need more detail, unclear deliverables, or parts of the schedule that may need adjustment.