Adobe Creative Cloud
I have proficient skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and I am currently working on my skills with Premiere Pro and After Effects to get them at the same level.
InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop were vital to my degree as I spent many terms working in the bookbinding workshop. There I would have to design the layout, type and images of books I would eventually bind.
To get me started, I would stay late after my studio practice sessions with the Tech Lab Team in the university and received 1-to-1 support in understanding the software and how to use it to my advantage.
Teamwork
Before starting my degree I spent just over 6 months doing bar work in Cardiff City Centre. It was here that I developed my teamwork skills from being bar staff to a Team Leader. I became responsible for training new staff, making them feel a part of the team, and organising stock between two bars.
With these skills learnt before my degree, I was able to proficiently work in two group exhibitions: Festival X - Substance, and Folded Fragments. My bar work skills translated well to collaborate with my peers and put on successful Exhibitions
Time Management
Time Management is very important in every aspect of my life. From doing bar work to completing three years of my degree, I have always shown up and met deadlines on time. To do this, I have found prioritising tasks and scheduling my day to be the most useful in my time management.
I have also spent much time working with international zines and magazines with my art. In every zine I work with, there is always open call deadlines, which I would always complete earlier than the specified date in case they needed more information or work from me - as the zine itself has a publication date to stick to.
Critical Thinking
In all three years of my degree, I have had to write an extended critical essay exploring art and art theory. In order to write these essays, I have had to do my own research, critically analyse them, and then write about my findings. Throughout my degree, my skills in critical thinking have developed, with my essays extending in length each year.
I try to keep my critical thinking active by attending art exhibitions and reading books and articles, and then use my thoughts on these to create my own artworks.
Adaptability
My ability to adapt has been complemented by personal tutors at university since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic. My artistic practice had to adapt from being studio and workshop based to being from home for the majority of my degree. I managed to use this to my advantage - from making physical bound books to moving to online zine publications.
As well as my book work adapting, my practice of mostly painting and drawing adapted to utilise fibre. By the end of my degree my work was largely woven and crocheted, and completed at home.