Interim Self-Evaluation

List 5 practical skills you have developed.  When have they proved useful?

1. Cutting Skills - Useful for neatly trimming down work and getting a professional finish.
2. Screen Printing - Gives a personal, unique quality that gives work extra character.
3. Book Binding - Helpful if I want to make a publication, and what numbers to work to.
4. Grids and Layout - Learnt this before the InDesign brief, will come in handy then and when I want to create a neat publication.
5. Colour & Pantone - Every colour has a code, and if I choose a colour I am guaranteed to get it, whereas it may look different on screen.

List 5 transferable skills that you have developed.  What have you used them for?

1. Time Management - Making sure that I have enough time and working to short-term goals.
2. Project Management - Juggling various briefs at a time needs some management, working to close deadlines and prioritising work.
3. Speaking Skills - When criticising work and presenting, developed over time & with experience.
4. Public Transport Awareness - Very unreliable, helps to know times and plan to arrive promptly.
5. Part Time Work, College & Social Balance - Goes hand in hand with time management, but knowing when to do work and when it's okay to socialise without feeling guilty.

List 5 things you have achieved.  How have they helped you progress?

1. Better Time Management - Without keeping an eye on deadlines and planning enough time to get anything done, I would be an extremely poor student.
2. Not Going Broke - Financial planning and knowing where my money goes has allowed me to budget enough for college and having enough to create quality work.
3. Working to a Live Deadline - Gives me some awareness of industry and how work is carried out.
4. The Ability to be Pro-Active - Definitely needs improving, but creating some sort of dedication to looking at journals and online blogs in my spare time has definitely exposed me to some tips and techniques that I wouldn't have otherwise learned.
5. A Better Understanding of Group Work - I will most likely work as part of a team when I graduate, and gaining some experience as part of a group is very beneficial.

List 5 problems that you have had to face.  How have you overcome them?

1. Unreliable Buses - Cost me 100% attendance, but setting aside enough time to get to college by getting the earlier bus has left me with 98% for the year so far.
2. Printing Issues - The 'digital dungeon' is a popular place, so going after college or planning weeks in advance makes it possible to book a place.
3. Older version of CS - I have CS4, and the college uses CS5 which creates some compatibility issues.  I had to compromise and save all my files as CS4 to make sure everything runs smoothly, but it hasn't created huge problems as of yet.
4. Windows/OS Compatibility - Yes, I have a windows laptop, which is fine.  I get some minor issues when working to and from the Macs, for example fonts, but it is overcome by taking the time to finalise work on the Macs, ready to print.
5. Broken USB - For whatever reason, my USB stick decided to bail on me in December, losing some of my work.  I have learned from my mistake by backing up everything as soon as I get the chance.

List 5 facts that you have learned.  When have they been useful?

1. Pantone Referencing - I have learnt that a single code will ensure you get the correct colours, rather than relying on the screen for reference.
2. 12 points = 1 pica - Before starting the course, I had no idea what a pica was.  This will be helpful for converting measurements and working to a layout standard.  
3. Double Page Spreads are deliberately moved closer to the inside to give visual consistency on both sides - A valuable fact to know when working on the InDesign brief.
4. Publishing companies always have a set grid to work from - Useful when finding the grid to get inspiration for publications.
5. Red is the last colour you will see in fog - Useful for considering use, does the design need to be easily visible under these conditions?