JOHN PPP - task 2

Make a list of 3 of each of these. 

My chosen areas of practice as of now.
My main strengths as of now.
My identified weaknesses as of now.
A set of main goals for this year.
Wishes. 

Chosen areas of practice as of now:

1. Illustration - when first arriving on the course, illustration is something I'd never really looked at before. I didn't feel that drawing was originally a strength of mine, however as time went by on the course, it has become something that I find I have been incorporating into my work quite regularly. I have looked at creating pattern, hand rendered imagery and also vector work.
2. Packaging - although we haven't looked too strongly at this area of practice yet, at the start of the term, I extremely enjoyed the branding and packaging tasks and got really involved in them. I was proud of my outcomes and therefore I feel this should be explored further. Within this, I would like to experiment with pattern design, and building on my illustration skills.
3. Web?? Fashion advertisement?? Unsure - wait until further into competition and live briefs. Opportunity to use photography with Dazed & Confused brief.

My main strengths as of now:

1. Illustrative work - as mentioned above, when first arriving on the course, I had no experience of using illustration within my work, or even using Illustrator. I believe that my skills have quickly developed in both cases. However, I want to continue to experiment with different ways of applying this, and using it within different areas of practice. 
2. Writing/academic skills - last year, my strongest module was context of practice. Not only do I enjoy the theory behind the practice, but I have also found that a strength of mine is applying this to my design work. I do not find having to write essays a "hassle" as research and writing is a strong point of mine, as well as being something I enjoy doing.
3. Programme skills - although you can never know everything about using a programme, I feel that I can comfortably use a range of the Adobe Suite programmes. I now find that if I need to do something particular on Illustrator, for example, I am capable of figuring it out or knowing a way round it. My skills have vastly improved, and I am hoping to go on to progress on programmes such as Dreamweaver.

My identified weaknesses as of now:

1. Presentations - even in front of an audience that I am usually comfortable with, I still struggle to handle my nerves and deliver a successful presentation. I need to find a way to calm myself down prior to them happening, making sure I cover all points necessary. As well as this, I also find it quite difficult to put my personality into the presentation.
2. Design sheets and generating ideas - I definitely feel that I am too slow when it comes to generating ideas. I struggle to get things down on paper, not only because I'm afraid they won't look good, but also because I'm unsure as to whether or not they could work. Sometimes I push myself into downing it because I have to, and I feel that this is definitely not the best way to go about it. I need to just sit down by myself and whack a load of possibilities down.
3. Sticking to what I know - once I get comfortable doing something, I struggle to move away from it. This leads to a lot of my work being visually similar. Although this is a positive in a way, I want to make sure I make the most of my time here and explore my practice. My confidence is also key to this, as it stops me from exploring different techniques and methods that are available to me within the college. I want to push myself further and become more hands on.

A set of main goals for this year:

1. Continue to expand my knowledge on web design, making sure I spend time outside of uni learning how to code and create appropriate and innovative scamps and wire frames.
2. Gain more confidence, not only just in my work, but when it comes to approaching studios or working professionals. I want to make sure I get the most out of industrial experience by being determined and motivated. 
3. Identify a number of studios that are appropriate to my current practice, and approach these studios. 

Wishes:

1. Collaboration with students on other courses as well as my own
2. Gain confidence in myself and my work
3. Learn to enjoy presentations