Friday - 10-06-11 - Gnome world

Ok, so the theme for the end of year shows this year is Homegrown. The idea behind this concept is local college with local students Home to home, we took that and transformed it into "Garden of General Art and Design".

Well maybe not so much nowadays but most grandparents gardens always consisted of one small detail "The Gnome" so with the clever crafting skills of Nicky we proposed for every member of the team to have a Gnome to represent themselves or their project theme. Here is mine!

 

OK, so the joke being is a personal one, basically I was having a discussion with my parents about the show and how it was all going well although extremely stressful, I then told them that "if the exhibition went wrong I would be back down the job centre on Monday"

Lets hope not

Monday - 08-06-11 Show pictures

What a busy, busy final major projects are underway and only a few days till we start to sort out the end of year show, being the graphics pathway leader it is of course my job to sort out all the small little details that makes our show the best, whilst course leader Lee takes cares of all the large scale problems and design craft leader Nicky become gnome master! (more of that later). . we all went to the photography studio to have a photo shoot ready for the show FUN FUN FUN

Thursday - 05-05-11 - BA Interior Last day

Today was my last full day with the 1st year Interior students, they will now hand in all assignments on Monday and be free for the summer before returning in September. It is always a great day teaching on the BA, the team is so committed and on board, we worked through all of their projects just monitoring who had what completed. The Interiors course is extremely fast paced and one that has caught me out this year, the team have had to work on multiple projects in a real short amount of time, having said that there have been some great results and I look forward to seeing their final bodies of work on Monday.

Monday - 02-05-11 - Summer Term

So after the longest Easter holidays (not complaining) the summer term has finally started. I am now teaching BA interiors all day Thursdays which is great for me but they are only here for another 2 weeks before they finish. However it will give me a chance to start planning for next year nice and early whilst I revisit my beloved Hybrid GAD group. This term should be the best by far, with final pieces in the pipe line, trips and design shows. Watch out as i'm sure you will see some great final pieces posted up here in a few weeks.

Saturday 02-04-11 - The power of Graphic Design

Being this blog is about teaching and my progress as a professional I decided that I wouldn't post up any social and general stuff, however this I feel is different and deserves a place on my blog. The power of graphics, a slogan, logo or just a picture. How it makes an individual feel and the story behind that piece.

My young cousin "Megan Norfolk" has decided to take part in this years "Race for life". she has a passion for both History and Art and in particular is fascinated by the historical culture of our family and past members. She has produced this graphic to be printed onto her t-shirt whilst participating in "Race for life" and I truly believe that for her age the emotional status and impact of this deign will shed a fear tears and hopefully raise a few pounds for the well justified charity. details of how to sponsor will be available soon but I wish her the best of luck.

Tuesday - 29-03-11 - Hand made sculptures

The new year 1 project "Location location" started last week but with all the deadlines and marking taking over I never really got to get into my lesson as I would have liked to. With year 1 going into their chosen pathways after Easter I decided this was a perfect time to have a lot of fun with some crazy lessons, and show the students that graphics isn't all about CAD and computers but is essentially a form of visual communication in a variety of formats.

Based on the designer Mark Jenkins and in regards to this weeks sub theme of "Everyday" I wanted the team to produce some mini test pieces that will later influence their skills when we take this lesson outside of the college environment. Mark Jenkins produces body sculptures and places them into different locations creating shocking scenarios, his materials and chosen process - cello tape wrapped round human forms. I must say that the team thoroughly enjoyed the task and there were a few cry's as to why they didn't pick graphics next term. (this was my cunning plan)

Wednesday - 23-03-11 PTTLS Complete

I have now finished my 5 week intense PTTLS course with the final submission of a completed portfolio done. I will now start my 2 year Diploma course which goes into more detail but it a little bit more paced out. I have really enjoyed this experience so far, and it has really helped me with the theoretical side to teaching.

I also had a double observation on Monday whereby I managed to succeeded in gaining a Level 2. I am thrilled to bits with this being there are only 4 levels and i have only been teaching 6 months. next time its all go for an outstanding level 1.

Monday - 21-03-11 - Adaptations Submitted

Another project complete as Year 2 submit their last project before starting their Final Major. The depth of this project has truly been captured by some of the outcomes showcasing a wide variety of different, techniques, processes and discipline.

Adapations - the artists adaption on a piece of text.

There were so many to choose from in terms of what I thought could summarize this project, and so many outcomes I wish I could show, however I have narrowed it done to one of my favorite pieces of student work I have seen in a long time. Paige Lazarus is part of the "design crafts" discipline and this was her amended book adaption on the classic marry Shelley's "Frankenstein" her piece was based on the chapter where by Victor Frankenstein has pushed this creature out of his home and he was let loose in the forests.  Its the detail that is captured and the physical production of this piece that makes it stand out, a fantastic representation of time, effort and studentship.

Wednesday - 09-03-11 PTTLS micro teach

Today I had my micro teach exam where I had to produce a 30 min lesson with all of the correct documentation, and presented my lesson in front of my peers and my 2 tutors S.Green and M.Hannan.

All went well and i passed, all that is left is the remainder of my essays to be completed and my portfolio to be put together. Once completed I will be eligible to start my 2 year Diploma in teaching course.

Monday - 28-02-11 - Group B

"Group B @ Kings Cross station"