written work

What I have found the most difficult about this project is this blog! I have not enjoyed keeping it at all. I have found that it is so easy to slip behind with it and I have often put it off for other parts of the project. I wish I had started the reflective journal as a written document as I would have found it is easier to work this way. I do not need to have the internet, I would not have problems uploading work and the order would not be in a backwards order to read. I have found it difficult to document the work reflectively rather than descriptively and sometimes I have found that I am talking in a chatty language, but because this is the writing style of a blog.


Although I created a Tumblr account to work on I found that this was not needed once I had created my own trend forecasts. I feel that I should have continued to document in this but found that was not finding it useful and did not have the extra time to do it. If I had longer for this project I would like to continue working on the Tumblr and make it into a virtual reference for the consumer.


I have also found it difficult to find a balance between meeting the trend product and calendar outcomes. It would be easy for me to carry out one or the other, but combining them together and finding a balance between both has been challenging. Until I added in the mood boards into my calendar I feel that the trend aspect was lacking some, but when this was added in I feel it really benefited and has resulted in me being able to create a specialist product.




I have found that the written work for this project has been way more difficult than expected. Being reflective and not warbling is something that I feel I still need to perfect.


When writing my evaluation I found that in order to cover everything that I wanted to say it meant that I was way over the word limit. I found that the evaluation was easy to write as I had structured it and made sure that I covered all the guidelines however I found it more difficult to cut out sections once it was written. In order to make sure that the evaluation sounded to the best it could be I got 3 people to proof read it once I felt I had cut down enough. It was still at 2000 words but I felt I was not able to cut it down any further on my own. Once I had made the amendments to what each person said I then went to show my lecturer and see what they thought. They were most helpful as they showed me parts that I no longer needed.


I then went back and amended what my lecturer had said and got it down to the right word count.


I feel that communicating with my lecturers for this project has been a huge help and I have always made sure I attended every possible opportunity. By doing this it has also meant that I have been able to keep on track with the project as I made sure I always had new work to show them.




After adding up the overall budget for this project I am shocked to say that it has totalled £780.37
This is a lot more than what I had expected and planned for. The main aspect that pushed up the price was the cost of models. I realised that in order to have good models I needed to look further afield and pay for their time. 




I feel there is still parts of the project that could be improved. The blog being the main issue. As I have not enjoyed writing it I feel that I have not put my all into it. 




I believe I have met every one of the learning out comes for this project and as I have been working my way through the project I have ensured that I have had this list to refer to. I also believe I have met the proposals aims. 

Evaluate relevance to industry and make informed judgements about their own Major Project Along every stage of this reflective journal I have tried to link back the relevance of the project to industry. I feel the biggest part where I have reflected upon this is when I have been discussing the trend aspect of the project. Trend forecasting is often used within the fashion industry as it keeps fashion moving forward and keeps consumers interested.  I also believe I have been very critical and judgemental about my project.  With every image I have critically evaluated what works well and what doesn't, what could be improved and done differently next time, how it links to the trends and mood boards, and its relevance to the consumer and industry.  Display initiative and show responsibility for independent learning As I have designed every aspect of this project myself I feel I have been very independent in my learning. I have had to adapt to changes and problems that have occurred but I have managed to find a solution. My biggest learning curve which I have learnt independently is my post production skills. I now feel confident that I could re touch an image myself and not need assistance. I believe this is an ongoing subject but my speed of which I retouch is a lot quicker. I believe I have used my initiative many times during the project. I have seized every opportunity to shoot in the studio with a photographer and I have made full use of the library time to sit and work quietly away from all distractions.  Uses appropriate materials and production processes relevant to the styling, make up and hair design industry I have been innovative with using products which I have never used before in creating my designs. For example I constructed a beaded fringe from an array of products and produced a stunning piece which transforms one of my images. I also created a hair piece out wire and hair which is something I am proud to achieve. I have used products which are not normally used on the skin such as paint and gold leaf and created designs which are unique and show my skill. Lastly I have picked up on skills which have been learnt from the demonstration with Alex Box. Without her showing me how to create slick flat eyebrows which can then be erased, I do not think my designs would have looked the same as I used the process in many of my designs. This is something which I will continue to use when working out in industry. Implement understanding of trends and styling conventions I feel I have fully demonstrated that I have a thorough and full understanding of trends by the fact I have researched and referenced them on websites such as WGSN and Fashion Snoops, and then gone on to create my own three forecasts. I have also researched in books on how to create a professional trend outcome. I believe they are high standard forecasts that could go on to be used by all different industry's. By creating 15 different beauty shots for this calendar I believe I have showcased a range of different styling conventions. I have tried to vary each image to show something different as well as relating it back to each trend. This has ranged from a perfect lip, to wig application, from creating hair pieces to applying different products on the skin. Devise innovative and appropriate solutions to a specific styling problem or brief  As I met many problems with this project along away I have had to find many solutions. With regards to styling I have created hair pieces for the August look as the own hair was not thick enough. I have had to re-shoot several  times in order to get the standard I was after. I have had to adapt on shoots when time has not been on my side or when the models hair has been different to what was expected and I have had to change my design. I have also had to change photographers several times in order to get my images completed and to a high standard. I feel I have created an innovative project which has not been created by anyone else. I wanted to create a product that is not already on the market but still important in peoples lives.  Employ appropriate materials, techniques and methods in relation to styling as a discipline, with skill and imagination, whilst observing good working practices. I feel I have been able to showcase my skills in the images I have produced for this project. I have tried to use different products and materials to create new and interesting ideas. I have always ensured that my working practise is kept professional by always ensuring my make up kit is packed the night before to relieve the pressure of stress. I have always ensured that I have clean brushes and am on time and have time to set up. And I have always ensured that when working on a shoot I have a mood board to refer to so I know what I am doing and so does the model and photographer. I have ensured that I took along reference images as well to help show the photographer and model what I want from the shoot. And lastly, I took advice from a lecturer to take my laptop to shoots to ensure that I can see the images straight away and make any amendments to the images if needed.  Effectively utilise IT systems and software appropriate to the discipline. Communicate effectively through appropriate visual, verbal and written means in a considered and professional manner. I believe I have strongly met the 'effectively utilising IT systems and software' as proved in my re edits of images. Although I did not edit all of the images for the calendar I knew what I wanted done and if it was not achieved I would go back and change them myself. I also constructed the entire layout of the calendar myself and made sure it was ready to print. With regards to communicating I feel I have been successful in this by constantly showing lecturers my work for feedback, getting peers to review my work and get different opinions on it in order to improve. I have also made sure that I am always prepared with mood boards and reference images to show the tutors, photographers and models what I want to achieve. By doing this it allows everyone to know what is needed and they can help me create it. I have also ensured that model release forms are completed as I feel this is professional and would be done whilst in industry, so why not do it for this project. I have ensured with all my models that there is good communication. I have always fully briefed them of the shoot before hand and told them what and how to come to the shoot. I have also made sure that I always have a contact number so that if there are any changes that they or i need to be aware of then it can be done. This was useful on several occasions when models have been late or I have had to delay my photographer.

Overall I am extremely happy and pleased with this project. I have created a piece that I am really proud to show people and have the satisfaction that I designed every aspect of it. I have learnt so much from this project, whether it is make up skills ( the eyebrow technique shown by Alex Box), the IT and post production skills have developed vastly and the confidence that I can do all aspects of a photo shoot. Having problems with other professionals and industry has made me realise that if the situation happened again in the future I would know exactly how to handle it and I would have the confidence to do it. 


I feel I have consistently been professional whether dealing with agencies, models or photographers or creating compelling new trend forecasts. I believe that with the aid of feedback it has improved my overall out come and this has also helped me to keep a efficient time schedule. 


I feel there is so much I can take from this project, the main thing being confidence. Confidence in my own skill, confidence in communicating with other professionals and confidence that I could do something like this again! I have also met so many lovely people and professionals along the journey and I will continue to keep in contact with them and hope to work with them in the future.