Assignment 1(a):
Nature Journal
1 Documentary, 95 minutes. Produce a journal showcasing its beauty in 5 weeks.
Progress
Before even starting, I made sure to familiarise myself with the assignment brief made made a mental note on the requirements. The briefing also highlighted on the use of infographics and the mandatory use of a portrait layout.
Watching the Documentary​
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I watched the documentary together with my friends so we could all help each other take note of the task. From here, I decided to do research on:
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Flora: mushroom and bluebell
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Fauna: crane and walrus
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Nature setting: desert and tropical rainforest
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Nature phenomena: migration and erosion
The Master Plan​
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As much as visuals are important in a journal, I believe that its content is the most important, after all it is the identity of the journal. Thus, I did research on the natural elements and put them in short bulleted points in a Google Doc. Once i got all my information, I searched for diagrams, charts and brainstormed ways to present my information in infographics form. Next, I searched for drawings to compliment my information. Here, I've decided to make my journal monochrome because i absolutely loved the black and white sketches I found.
Second Draft​
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I presented my first draft to my lecturer during tutorial class and she provided a lot of constructive criticism. The main problem with my journal was that I did not connect my drawings to my information, and that it lacked drawings with excessive words. So, I improved it by making the subtitle font smaller in order to make space for more drawings. I also found ways to convert the surplus of words into infographics. Another big problem was that I did not use architectural writing, which I also took note.
Drawing​
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I started to transfer the Canva designs into paper manually. I used pencil to draw it out first and then used felt-tip pens to outline and render the drawings. Drawing 15 pages worth of sketches almost killed me when I did it alone and in silence. So, I decided to watch movies while drawing to tackle both the problem of uncomfortable silence and sacrificed leisure time.
I also took the time to catch up with my best friend who studies in another college. She was also in the same boat as me where we had a bunch of assignments to catch up on and plus, we were both night owls. This made the dreadful task of completing 15 pages worth of drawings much more enjoyable as I was able to do it while chit-chatting and catching up with my best friend.
Colouring​
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Although my journal is a monochrome, there are shades of grey that I wanted to integrate into my journal. I used my alcohol markers for this, the shade being BG1 and BG3. This again was a long and more mundane process. So, my friend and I decided to spice up both our academics life by accompanying each other, again!
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I stayed up late a few nights to finish up colouring and writing the headings and the information. To be fair, colouring and writing was relatively easier as compared to drawing but I was determined to complete it during independent learning week to make time in the future. Thus, the late night burnouts with my friend (but that's college life ain't it)
Third Draft​
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At last, everything was complete. I felt super satisfied and at ease as this was one of the heaviest assignments as compared to others. However, my tutor said it was 99% complete, with the 1% left to improve and that is to thicken my outline for the titles and some boxes to refine it.
Outcome
Lifelong Learning
I learned to be learn independently during the ILW, locate, extract, synthesise and utilise information effectively from the video that I watched, as well as be intellectually engaged with my lecturer and tutor of the project whenever they provided feedback on my progress.
Digital Literacy
I learned to be effective in using a digital design app, Canva, especially the lock feature which I wouldn't have known about until this assignment came along.
Intrapersonal Skills
I've to be self reliant, and to reflect upon my progress. My takeaway is that it can be difficult at time where you feel suffocated with the overwhelming work, and to use innovative solutions such as group studying to tackle these problems
Reflection
Discipline Specific Knowledge
I learned to put theories into practice, read, analyse and summarise information from a documentary, as well as be aware the fragile nature around us.
Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
I learned to think critically and creatively to come up with infographics, as well as define and analyse the environmental issues nature is facing and arrive at effective solutions.
Global Perspective
I learned to be aware of and form opinions from the natural elements around us. Also, I've come to understand the value of nature and the civic responsibility we have to protect it. My eyes were opened to problems such as drought and climate change on a global level.