Context of Practice - Year Evaluation

The CoP module has been useful because it has given me a basic understanding of the conceptual side behind graphics. The study tasks have helped to reinforce concepts such as semiotics and certain connotations and denotations behind an image or piece of graphics.

I have developed skills in being able to research something fully before deciding on an appropriate method of production. This really helped the practical side of CoP to work well, as I knew all of my content before I began thinking about production methods. It also meant that I researched into production methods before trying to create them. When I chose the ration book I fully studied it and tried to mimic key features and design decisions which I felt were important.

A certain strength in my work would be the thorough research and time that I put into getting the final outcome as accurate as I can. I am really proud with the physical outcome I have produced. The tasks set through out the year have helped me to get used to doing extra research if I don't understand anything this paid dividends in my essay and practical work. As I then fully understood everything before I began creating it.

One weakness in my work is the essay referencing. I wasn't able to get books out before the holiday nor was I able to get any out back home so I had to fully rely on the internet. This is a lesson I have definitely learnt now: get books out well in advance. I feel my essay would have been a lot stronger if I had more substantial sources backing up the different arguments.

Writing the essay helped to bring everything I had learnt together, however I really struggled to find the right kind of references. Next year I will fully read around the subject before writing the essay, this will help me not make the same mistakes as this year. Although the essay wasn't the best it could be I felt it gave me an interesting starting point for my practical publication project. The aim of my book was to show a range of propaganda with a bit of a description or talk about them and the posters aims. My research translated very nicely into content, although for this project I had to research more specifically into propaganda posters and the meaning behind them, but whilst doing this I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it interesting.