End of Module Review.

As the time has gone on and the module has progressed I have been able to relate, learn and even enjoy Personal and Professional Development. I have been able to understand and appreciate the lectures and seminars as the course has progressed also. I am almost certain this is a result of my maturity and making sure I maintain a healthy balance of work and play, i.e. calming my drinking habits slightly since September and actually doing some work.
Making a blog and actually posting onto it regularly is something I’d never done before and a somewhat challenging task at times; making the posts informative, interesting, presentable and just trying to post items other than the ones set in the module. I have definitely learnt something’s about myself and points for improvement in areas that I otherwise would have skipped over. It drew my attention to the importance of using blogging and websites to be able to get my work out there get noticed and start making a name for myself. It opened my eyes to the reality of blogging, a network I knew very little about before coming to Leeds College of Art and more specifically this module. In the near future and on my list of things to do over the summer, is to look into starting my own website and just getting myself out there. Recognising my strengths and weaknesses has been another part I have learnt about professionalism, because it is important to know what your good at – to be able to sell yourself and ultimately my furniture. And then to be able to work on and try and improve the areas aren’t as strong.
  Adapting to higher education from further education has been one of my big achievements this year as I found the teaching style, freedom and even the assessment system a bit overwhelming from what I was comfortable and used to throughout my GCSE’s and Sixth Form. Although now I have adapted to it I feel much more comfortable, I am more confident in making my own decisions and dictating where I take my designs and creativity. I feel I have learnt far more by being able to direct my own learning to a larger extent than I was ever able to in school. Filled with confidence – to be able to excel and reach my potential and reach new found goals and interests.
I am flying out to the USA in June to be a councillor at a summer camp for kids, primarily teaching woodwork, this is an experience that I hope to reflect and build on in the future  as a possible career path (second to selling my own fine furniture of course). Next year I hope to continue the good work, improve my essay writing and researching skills, produce some quality furniture I can be proud of and as mentioned before look to getting some contacts for when I graduate.

Presentation.

I have ended up making two presentations for the end of my PPD module.....
From doing a very formal design presentation for my final project - which I found myself very nervous prior and even during the presentation.
I decided to make a slightly less formal presentation for this module in the hope it would ease the nerves slightly. But I ended up going too far the other way, resulting in an inappropriate presentation. I decided to start over and I am pretty certain I have the balance right this time around.
Whether it will help with nerves at all is a different matter.

One of the the worst and luckiest days of my life!!

Not quite sure why but I was in a foul mood today, managed to spend more time correcting things rather than progressing with my table. but hay ho....

lucky escape, I cut a chunk out of my little finger on the rip saw, saved by the guard, not worrying too much about my finger I was more shaken up how close I was to loosing half my hand if the guard had been any higher Lesson learnt - definitely.

Time Line.. September to present.

Here is the best and most memorable bits of my time at Leeds College of Art - so far..... 

Designer - Makers, Prior to the Interiors UK trip to the NEC.

David Gundry Fine Upholstery.

Bespoke, commissioned furniture since 1972, designed and made by hand to a clients needs and specification.

I like this piece in-particular as the feature is in the material it is covered in, the pattern is looks almost as if it has been carved into the suite - simple crisp design.

Duresta hand made upholstery.

Similar company as the first, based in Nottingham - one offhand produced furniture combining fine fabrics and skilled craftsmen.

An interesting and eye catching piece taking inspiration from the middle east area. 

This is my favourite piece by far, it really makes a statement of presence in the room - "I'm here! Look at me".

I love this piece - I will be looking to take inspiration from and design some thing in similar style for my final project - the seat.  

Toolbox finished!

Finished in the white ready for hand in - base board, wheels and a lock to go on.
 I am pleased with the result - there are a couple of mistakes such as where i have slipped with the router and a couple of small gaps here and there. But nothing too noticeable or to worry about. 

I have learnt a lot about how to use the machines correctly, safely and efficiently; if i were to make it again i would of made sure i machined all the parts for each section to get a better fit - i cut the jointing grooves in the main body with a router at separate times making some of them slightly different making it more difficult and time consuming when it came to gluing up.  

More pictures to come when it has wheels, a lock it is  stained or painted (haven't decided yet) and most importantly - FULL OFF TOOLS!!

Designer - Makers, Prior to the Interiors UK trip to the NEC.

FRAMA - A lighting brand from Denmark that produces on-trend, contemporary lighting.
Diamond lights.

As far as I've seen light design is always about the exterior or the shades and shapes they make, the bulb is always over looked where as here it has become the light! Different.


















Composite.
A modular sofa system designed for public places, the deconstruction of a sofa and its core parts re-arranged onto a table surface making a statement and more spacial presence. what i like about this piece is that they almost look as if you could pick them up and move them around, the idea that things aren't always what they seem at a distance of first glance. Japanese rock garden?

LEGGY T.

Again another public area designed piece, an everyday cafe table or similar with a striking but subtle twist. A slight change from the norm, an expression without screaming and shouting about it.