Starting this project, I learnt the importance of recording my surroundings through a variety of techniques to explore different elements of Manchester. One main resource skill I always fall back on is my photography which allows me to frame and compose specific scenes leading me to discover my focus of the project, the unnoticed. Although using other recording methods pushed me to focus on a variety of aspects that I wouldn’t have seen or incorporated in my project. Overall, these recording methods spring boarded my idea development and design work.
Ending my first rotation I learnt the importance of exploring the processes and materials in the workshop through experimentation. Initially I gathered reference material, designed a piece through sketching and then produced the intended 3-dimensional work. However, this approach changed as I used the key skills taught in the classes to generate a series of production techniques that I could then introduce into designs further down the line. These ideas transitioned into my second rotation where I focused on learning the skills of throwing and casting and later linking the ideas of Manchester into the pieces.
Overall, my main lesson from this project was the importance of using a variety of recording methods to capture different types of information. Also, to explore what materials can do and the relevant processes of manufacture so that it can inform my designs. One area I would have liked to of improved on is how to bring this back into formal design sheets. I believe this would have allowed me to have a set direction when creating advanced samples. Additionally, in the future I would like to incorporate my artist and contextual research more thoroughly into the design process, for example having photos of artists work on my design sheets.
