Today’s The Day

Today, I have woken up refreshed and rearing to go for my summer project.

I think I have an idea in place – using one of my imaginary spaces which I have created through Google SketchUp about two years ago. Instead of using an existing space, I think using an imaginary one of mine would be a good place to start.

However, I am not quite sure how I am going to sketch this properly on actual paper – I have only done that on my computer and that is quite significantly different from what I am about to start doing.

Similarly, I still don’t quite know how I am going to present this as that area of the project wasn’t stated in the brief. Should I presume that they only want the sketches and model? And not a subsequent book of thoughts behind my approach? I think this is the part of the project which scares me the most.

“Make A Sketch” – A Summer Project

The summer has started, and I am well under way with the various extra shifts I have been able to gain from work. However, a friend was speaking to someone on Twitter the other day about their Summer Project for their Art Foundation Course (to start in September). Suddenly, I had an inkling that I may have a summer project as well.

Sure enough, I check out the MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University – my first choice) website and there it is, a Summer Project, “Make A Sketch”. Not only this, but term dates until next summer, an indroduction letter (which contains blogs, magazines and books which would be worth the subscription/buy etc) and the timing and location of my first session.

There is no question that this has scared me quite a bit, especially as this happens to be one of the only things I have yet had to do for myself and by myself so far in my life. I know I will have many more projects like this throughout my years at University, but this has now started to strain my mind slightly – especially as I haven’t thought as artistically as I need to for this in a while…

The Project:

• Produce at least four A2 sized drawings of an existing or imaginary interior or space – these should also explore the three-dimensional views of this space
• Produce a “3D Sketch” (at the scale of my choice – I don’t think I have ever done that!!!) using materials which illustrate the qualities of the space I have chosen

I am being completely honest when I say I am not entirely sure where to start with this.

I don’t want to think too deeply into the project otherwise I might not fully appreciate the whole reason behind it.

My thoughts for this at the moment are to think about an existing space/interior which I could easily access for photographs and evaluations.

Usually for a project, I would have a series of photographs and then experiment with ideas and the different spaces/interiors which I have as an option and put all of my thought-processes into one small sketchbook and work from there.

Would this be suitable for just a summer project? Should I be that thorough with it, or literally just produce the sketches?

The Research Continues …

Recently, I have realised that it would be important for my future to do some research in architect firms (and of course interior firms).

There is one particular website which has grabbed my attention;

University Update

Before the Easter Holidays, I made the most important decision in my life; university choices.

As you know, I have had offers from Manchester Metropolitan (280 points), Birmingham City (280 points) and De Montfort (260 points). In case you don’t know, an A* is 140, A: 120, B: 100, C: 80, D: 60.

In the worst case scenario, if I got an A* in Textiles, B in Art and a D in Spanish that would still give me a total of 300 points.

On this basis, I have chosen Machester Metropolitan as my Firm Choice (1st) and De Montfort as my Insurance choice (2nd). It looks like every interview I went to has paid off considerably (considering in two out of the three I would receive an offer the next day).

I am very happy with my choices, and I am very glad I have made them. I would be equally happy at either universities, however I think Manchester has the better course and is more suited for what I would like to study; Interior Design but more geared towards architecture.

At Least I’m Doing Something Right …

Yesterday evening, I recieved an email from UCAS notifying me of a change in my application… I logged on etc, and there it is. Something I have been hoping for for about 3 months.

An offer from Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester School of Art).

It’s 280 UCAS tariff points (300 points is BBB, so this is basically BBC) and I really think this is achievable!

I cannot express how proud of myself I am at this moment in my life. I have never felt like there are people out there who admire my work as much as the women did on Wednesday. I feel proud.

I think Manchester is the place where I need to go to progress further.

My Interview …

So today I have been to Manchester and back, and I think the interview went pretty well!! So a very good day indeed.

There was only two of us being interviewed this afternoon – which shocked me! – but apparently they only have between 35 and 40 students per year as students in total… And considering the amount of people who apply (something stupid like 400) I am feeling rather proud and confident that I was given the opportunity to attend an interview there.

The women who interviewed us gave us a quick talk/presentation on the course as a whole; what sort of work they do each year, competitions and various study trips. Something that was made very clear was that the course was definitely driven more to the architectural side rather than interior furnishings (that would be the worst course for me …). And because of this, I knew I was in the right place.

Even sat in “The Gallery” (a little cafe which holds live music from time to time!) I knew that I was sitting in the right place…

I think everything is coming together slowly now… And all I really need to do is focus on my school work to make sure I get the best possible grades in August – and one’s which I deserve!!

My Most Important Day … EVER

Tomorrow is the big day… My interview at Manchester Metropolitan University. I have been through my portfolio, and everything is looking good – everything which I want to take and be viewed is all in there.

I am feeling really pumped up and confident for the interview. Yes, I am taking fewer pieces of work than my other interviews, but I would rather be given the opportunity to speak a lot (and in depth) about my work than small little junks about a larger amount, if given the chance.

I may of course not be spoken to by the people who see my portfolio, but I think it is organised well enough to not necessarily need me there to emphasise it. If however they require more information or an in-depth explanation about my pieces then I am ready and feeling confident enough to show them my enthusiasm.

I hope to photograph my portfolio for you all to see after tomorrow’s interview.

I will of course let you all know how it goes! So stay tuned!

And So Another Week Starts…

The start of this week hasn’t been the greatest… I have a terrible cold, and a tonne of work to catch up with from last week. Such a mistake which I don’t seem to learn from.

However, the majority of this work is now complete, so I can focus on finishing the little things. I am glad I came home early today – I needed the extra time to tie up loose ends (with work I mean, not social matters – they seem pretty irrelevant these days!!).

The main thing which has been on my mind today is my interview on Wednesday at Manchester Metropolitan University. This is the most important interview this year – scratch that – my whole LIFE. I can’t blow this, I really can’t.

These next five weeks are tough – I need to have both my Fine Art and Textiles exam projects pretty much finished (or as close as…).

This is a really tough call, but I know I can do it. In the last year I have become quite an ambitious person, and in interviews in particular, I really do become quite a confident and come out of my shell really…

I cannot wait to be at university – studying in order to get the job I really do want in life. Ideally, working with a firm of architects (an international firm so I can travel).

Time to get back to work then… Otherwise these dreams definitely won’t happen!!!

A Quick Update!

A lot has happened in the last two months; interviews, exams and those dreadful deadlines.

So let’s start with the interviews…

As you already know, I have attended an interview at De Montfort University in Leicester and I was successful in receiving an offer of 260 ucas points (so about BCC – pretty reasonable and accessible).

My last choice – University of Central Lancashire – gave me an interview but because of its location I declined. At this stage I was already given the offer from De Montfort and therefore knew that I was happy with this even if that was the only offer I was given.

I have also attended an interview at Birmingham City University which was successful again, and therefore offered 280 ucas points (BBC – again, quite reasonable!) so I am very happy with these as I could see myself at either university.

Earlier this week, I was notified of a third interview – Manchester Metropolitan – later this month. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this AT ALL. When I started to apply to these universities I knew this was the most difficult one to get accepted to and therefore for me – a long shot. However, I am EXTREMELY excited to be given this opportunity, so I really need to enhance my portfolio further.

When I recieved my second offer from Birmingham City, I was pretty astonished… I never thought I would be in “demand” – as it were! – and definitely never thought they would enjoy my work that much.

The exam I sat in January was retaking my AS Spanish (inc. speaking) which I was quite confident with – more so than last summer!! The results come out early March, so we’ll see!

The two main deadlines I’ve had were for Unit 03 for both Fine Art and Textiles which was very difficult to meet indeed… Especially as I do both arts.

Now they’re all out of the way (for now!!!), I have the confidence to start my Exam Units for Fine Art and Textiles.

Check out my design inspiration blog: http://i-will-be-a-designer.tumblr.com

An Update – My First Interview!

I think it’s about time I gave everyone an update on what I’ve been up to this last week and why I haven’t been posting!!

For the first part of this week I have been gathering together all of my recent work to put into a portfolio. After this was all together and looking as sleek as possible, I set off for my first interview at De Montfort (Leicester) on Tuesday.

It was a great experience, but probably one of the most nerve-racking at the same time! The man who was interviewing me asked why I wanted to study interior design and why DMU. I told him, and we talked about interior design as a whole for about ten minutes – it was very informal, almost like a chat, which was such a relief.

Having had our conversation I was feeling very confident about my portfolio of work I’d brought along with me and felt quite pumped up to express my passion.

After going through the whole thing, he told me that he really admired my work and the variety of things I’d bought along. He said I would bring a lot to the course and that he is going to recommend me a place. This doesn’t mean I have a place, but it means that I am almost there!!

Going back to DMU felt incredible. Other than possibly Manchester Metropolitan, it is definitely one I can clearly picture myself studying at.

With the first interview out of the way, I am now feeling a lot more confident for the others!

(I will be uploading some pictures of my portfolio over the weekend).