January 6, 2017
- Viktoria Dekany
- Jan 6, 2017
- 36 min read
DIARY
The journey of my personal and professional developments, thoughts, ideas and goals.
January 6, 2016
CURRENT MOOD....
I have not been posting as often as I normally do. Things have been very busy lately, in a good way. Unfortunately, this means that I have not been able to invest as much time as I would have liked to this website. The final year at university is the hardest period over my life. I have four different projects going on at the same time, full of with short deadlines, which sometimes make me feel giving up, but it never will happen. I committed myself to complete a degree with persistence and patience, and I keep carry on even if I had hard times.
Over the Christmas holidays, I went back to Hungary visiting my family which made me realise I have to allow myself for a little rest. Without keeping breaks, I feel more and more stressed which affect the outcome of the overall production of the projects. One of the NYE's resolution is to get out sometimes and have a fun time. I would like to educate myself as much as I can, especially in culture. I already booked myself for a trip to London where is a new Art Museum opening next month!
I found this image on the web during my research and it really touched my soul. It describes very well the thoughts of my life; reaching our goals is not easy and it has a long, hard journey to get there, to the end of the road. It requires faith, patience, perseverance and hard work. To be a successful interior architect, I will do my best and always fulfill my task with a 150% effort.
May 9, 2016
FINAL WEEK
During the last two weeks I received my grades for almost all of my modules. I have to say I am so proud of myself! This year I fulfilled the course very well, all my grade is higher then 75% which is really good.
The biggest improvement of this year is my essay writing skill. I got 75% of my 2000 words written work. This is a huge development compared it with my last year's 48% grade. Now I know everything about Harvard-referencing, the usage of qualitative sources and how to quote perfectly. I am very happy with my improvement. :)
Plans for next year:
I already started to think about the theme of my final major project. I plan to do lots of research over the summer and start the university with exact ideas and a gantt chart.
As a dissertation, I chose to write about one of my creation. I also started to think about the creation which I have to produce over the summer.
All in all, there is only one year left until I get my degree and I will continue to work as hard as this year!
WEEK 31
2 May 2016 - 8 May 2016
It was a really active and refreshing week. The main point of the week was the middle-presentation of the Professional Practice module. It was really exciting to perform front of the class and a famous person. It also had a turn as I was still in Hungary on the morning of the presentation day! But thanks to the airplanes wonderful service, a few hours later I was ready to present my ideas. :)
It was really good to see my classmates ideas, I always shock when I realize how many different ideas people can have within the same project. All in all, I was satisfied with my accomplishment, especially that I couldn't really prepare myself as I wanted. I was specifically glad for the feedback which Matt and Adelina gave me, as I was performing very professionally and had good ideas. I feel that I have improved a lot in speaking front of people during this two years. Of course I still have adrenalin before the presentations but when I start it just goes away and I talk confidently. I am really happy for my improvement!
Now, I had a few refreshing days off and ready to continue and develop my concepts for the final presentation which we have in 3 weeks.
WEEK 30
24 April 2016 - 1 May 2016
I am spending my time in Hungary this week due some family issues. It was really good to see the closest people to my heart but the university work never stops!
At the beginning of the week I was working on the final touches of my loved essay. I just had to put the right figure titles, the reference list, bibliography and list of illustrations in alphabetic order, etc. I really liked the producing process of this essay and I am looking forward the grade. Hopefully it will be much better than last year. I feel I improved a lot since then.
As we have a middle presentation for a very famous architect just in 2 days, I am very excited. I think I prepared my ideas in a nice way, I made a presentation board. First, I just wanted to produce some hand drawings and show them but later I thought it would be nice to put on the wall a large sheet and present my ideas in a professional way. This is a unique opportunity to showcase my knowledge, I have to respect it by producing quality work.
WEEK 29
18 April 2016 - 24 April 2016
I was mainly working on the final finishing touching on my essay this week. I am quite happy with my progress in this essay compared myself to last year. The best thing which made me working easier on it that I chose a very personal and engaging theme which forced me to work harder and harder.
I also jumped into the live brief and produce some efficient work. I am working on to fit my ideas into the sketchup model and create some very basic visuals to the halfway presentation. I am a bit excited about the presentation as I don't really like speaking front of many people but I'm gonna try my best. This brief gives a very unique opportunity to get noticed by a famous person and I want to produce a killer idea. :)
WEEK 28
11 April 2016 - 17 April 2016
This week we went back to university after the long Eastern Break and launched our next module. This one is a stimulated brief, called Working Experience within Professional Environment. Unfortunately the company which I had an interview with, still didn't email me their final decision. I was really sad, I thought I will have the internship with them. I have the interview one week ago, they might get back to me but then it will be too late as the deadline is on 20th May to complete the 6 weeks. I was thinking a lot about this opportunity. They also asked me to work for them for 3 months, Monday to Friday 9am-18pm. I guess it would have been a bit hard to me as I never worked in real office hours before but I was really up for this challenge, and it would have been a great opportunity to learn how to put a live project's bits together. In the university module, we also have an opportunity to work in a live project - redesigning the ground floor of the university's MCUK campus. We also have a client to whom we have to present our design concept and the final ideas too. The best part of this module is that someones' final idea can be picked up and implementing it over the summer. It would be a fantastic acknowledgment and outstanding on the CV. As I didn't achieve to get an internship I will work very hard on this project to get the most out of it.
Another happening was that a lady asked me for a meeting about my Erasmus application. She said the university never allows third year students to go to abroad and take an exchange. However, she investigated the case so I still have a chance to go. The only thing which is really scared me that risking my degree. She said if I don't have 120 credits for the third year I have to do the whole year again. It can never happen to me! She mentioned another opportunity which is an erasmus work placement - I wanted to do this after graduation anyway. I give myself a few days to think over it.
Things to do in the next few days: get my essay done, visiting MCUK and taking photographs.
WEEK 25 & 26 & 27 - EASTERN BREAK
14 March 2016 - 3 April 2016
Eastern Holidays went very smoothly, finally I had time to continue previous things which I had to pause. At the first week of the holiday, I was working on my personal development - I made an overall SWOT analysis about my career. I also put together a very detailed chart about my Internship company research and made a Career Infographic. I quite enjoyed making these as I learnt a lot about myself and my future goals. In the meantime, I checked the module checklist whether I need to produce something or I have them all. The only thing which is missing is my Creative CV - I need more time to create it.
The second and third week of my eastern break was about writing my essay. I have searched lots of books, journals and articles on SOLAR and found very good sources to start the 2000 words of piece of writing. I am quite happy with my progress as the half part of the essay is already done.
Apart from the writing, I was continuing to work on the family's home. I finally could finished the new living room and started the kitchen.
Another thing which I was very committed, is to get done my Erasmus application. I decided to spend the first semester of my final year in abroad. I chosen Barcelona School of Arts in Spain. I contacted several previous students who were undertaking erasmus in Spain and they encouraged me to apply as soon as I can. The main reason why I want to go to abroad is to develop my career and make my CV outstanding for future employers. This is a 'once in life' opportunity and I want to take it and put myself into challenge! However it is not that easy... My erasmus coordinator broken his arm and off for 6 weeks. It is really hard to find out who is the deputy person to take over my application. I had to go to university several times to make my application happen. My application has to be accepted by 3 different departures: by nationally, Salford uni and Barcelona uni. Not easy!
Another surprise what happened is that one company get back to me and asked for an interview due internship. We easily set the interview time at the next day. I was very excited when I found out the location is Spinningfields in a very modern office tower. The interview was great! I already imagined myself sitting in the office and working on a new restaurant plans. :) They asked me to wait a few days to make the final decision. I hope I will get this opportunity as I could learn incredibly lot!
Plans for the following days is to continue my essay, working on the family's home and wait for the company's decision!
WEEK 23 & 24
29 Febuary - 13 March 2016
If I have to summerize the last two weeks in one word: CRAZY.
Set Design module was over on last Friday and I was working on the bits very hard. We had to produce 9 different things for the submission and we only had 2 proper weeks to do this. It was even hard to me as I have been a victim of Fraud due that a hacker cracked my online banking and transferred £2000 from my account. I went crazy, I had to phone my bank customer service during 3 days to sort this out which resulted I lost 15 hours proper work on the module.
I gathered all my strength and I finished with everything before the deadline. Then, another horrible thing happened: Blackboard was freezing and I couldn't submit my work in time. That means I already lost 5 points from my grade.
Apart from this, I liked this module and I took 150% effort to produce the works in my highest level. Hopefully that minus 5 points won't be visible in my final grade.
I started to continue the Hungarian family house as well. I have a new idea for their living room design so I will work on that in the next days.
I have finalized my essay theme as well. I will discuss the Importance of hand-drawing in Design. I chosen the business report form as I could create lots of infographic which can give a colourful life to the words. By the way, it's not easy, especially that we have to include lots of database from academic sources and I couln't really find relevant informations to my theme. I was thinking to create my own knowledge and interviewing designers.
Internship: I still didn't find any place to spend my 6 weeks. I am getting to worry. :( It might be my fault as I applied only for 3 places. But I don't give up!
Plans for the next days: working on my essay as the infographics will require more time to produce. I will also continue the living room visuals and the other rooms of the house.
WEEK 22
22 February - 28 February 2016
This week went very smoothly and I received lots of great feedback from people. the Hungarian family checked my living room plans and they were very satisfied agan. They also mentinoed that lot of people talk about my work in the town and they like it. This is a huge accole to me as this is what I exaclt want to do! - Making practical interios to people which they want to live in.
Another live project was to create a living room for a young professional lady in Hungary as well. She was struggling with organize the furnitures as the room is quite small. I really liked to make her room and she was wordless after she seen my plans. She said I guessed her exact taste. It was another great point of my week! :) I love my job! :)
I had a productive time to get done with the hand-drawed studio floor plans of Set Design and build my notions in SketchUp. Actually, I liked to make the rooms and decorate them in a 1970's style. I have set the camera views and I started to think of the story board as well. On Thursday we have a group tutorial with Andrew. He liked my plans so the only thing I had to do is to draw it on AutoCAD. It went easily, I also did the extended elevations too - which I will use to make my white card model too. It only 2 weeks left to finish everything for this project.
Hopefully I will know the results for one of my intern application next week. I really hope I will get that placement, if not - I will aplly for small companies very quickly.
I was also struggling with my essay topic in the last weeks. I wanted to find something interesting and deep theme within the design. Friday I had an amazing session with Nicola who talked about Business Report. We had three session in different ways to write our essays. This is my favourite option because we can include our own infographics and lots of images. This is a kind of booklet, colourful and has different parts. I wrote some ideas about my themes and I asked Nichola to help me choosing. She really liked my idea about the drawing and its improtance in different process within design. She also recommended to combine these theme with stage/set design.
Furthermore, we continued to work in Photoshop with Paul. He wanted us to recreate Alex Hogrefe's one of the image. Actually, it went really well to me as I practiced editing images in PS a lot, and often used Hogrefe's tutorials. Paul praised me :)
Plans for next week is to make my white card model and start creating the story board.
WEEK 21
15 February - 21 February 2016
This week was a bit exhausting, we have learnt lot of new things. On Monday we went to urban sketching to Manchester's city centre with Adelina. She wanted us to create a quick story board which tells a story around us. We went to a restaurant and I created a story board of a mother and daughter. It was quite fun, however sketching people around me is a bit hard. It was a good exercise for the first time.
On Wednesday we were working on PhotoShop. I really love PS and I have completed several online tutorial.We were playing around using of different textures on the images which break the computer's perfect effect. I really liked this technique and I will use in the future.
On Thursday we had a visitor, a lady who is specialist in set design and works for Coronation Street. She told her typical workday and her tasks. It was really interesting to listen an expert. We also started to plan the studio floor plans. Actually, it is a bit complicated as the studio is very small and a detached house is very big. We have to plan the sets in logically and very carefully due the camera places too. Andrew really liked my visual research board which was a good feedback for my work.
On Friday I had a session about the next 2000 words essay. I still don't know what I want to write about. I want to find something intersting theme.
Plans for the next week is to finish the set design floor plans, recording schedule and start the elevations. I also want to draw a city centre buzzing illustration.
WEEK 20
8 February - 14 February 2016
This week wasn't very productive. Unfortunately I am still ill and I couldn't get out from my bed. I have missed Adelina's session where she showed how to draw on an Ipad. Actually I regret I couldn't go because I want to buy for myself an Ipad just for this case. I want to draw in digitally, it's better and easier.
At the beginning of the week I was working on the Visual Research for Set Design. I had to find images for a 1970's house interiors.
On Tuesday I had to go to uni even I was ill. It was a pre-booked event - The Art of Freelancing. This day was very productive actually. We had learnt about how to produce a Freelance career in the creative industry and we received our certificate at the end of the day. I learnt lot of new things which will be beneficial in the future.
On Wednesday I have missed Paul's session about Artlantis. He said I will catch up easily as it wasn't hard.
On Thursday, we went to MediaCityUK with Andrew and Adelina. That day was absolutely great! We went to see Coronation Street drama settings. We had a gentleman, David who explained everything us. We learnt about the design decisions and it was very useful to hear. After, we went to the Quays News studio where we tried the equipment, such as camera. We had an insight how many people work on a live show and what are the roles. It was great.
Then, on Friday I stayed at home again. I know, I'm a bad girl. The worst thing that I'm still not better. By the way, I was also working on my live project's living room. I have the first version but I might change it for a much classical style. I will see.
Next week I am going to work on Set Design script breakdowns and on the live projects.
About the Internships.... I have applied for one company which is one of my favourite. Hopefully it will be successfull as I spent like 3 hours to make the application :)
WEEK 19 1 February - 7 February 2016
This week was great! First of all, I started to work on my live project, particularly on the older girl's room. I got the family's house plan so I built it easily in SketchUp and started to putting together the furnitures and colour palettes. She was very clear about her design requirements - she wanted to play around with purple and its shades and having wood furnitures. After I made several version, I sent them the final proposal where I included Before-After collages and asked them for any changes if they want. They were so amazed by my work! It was such a good-good feeling when they replied they really love it and they can't wait for my other ideas! :) :)
This is really a great feedback for me that a real client can appreciate my work not only my tutors. I can taste how the real projects will work.
On the mid week, we had an introducing session to Artlantis rendering software with Paul. We used it last year, but we needed a recap before getting into it deeper. Luckily, it's not that hard to use, however there is a long waiting time for each image's rendering.
On Thursday, Andrew launched our new project, called Set Design. I have been really waiting for this one, though I can't really enjoy it so far. I just don't like the idea that we have to design the house for a 1970's style. It's a bit dark and old-fashionable which is not a problem, I am just not in a mood in this days.
Friday was the best day of my second year so far!!! It was a great time to meet with graduated students who are work now for companies. They told us about their experiences and suggestions. But the biggest thing was to me Nathan, wo works for BDP - which is my dream job! After the chatting-time, I was brave and I came to talk to him about my internship at BDP. He was very helpful and nice and also showed his current works. THIS WEEK WAS VERY VERY USEFUL!
WEEK 17 & WEEK 18
18 January - 31 January 2016
I will summarize the last two weeks happenings in one post, as I couln't write last week because of the sooo many works. BUT, finally I have finished all of the internship documents: Portfolio, CV, Cover Letter are done!!! Now I am fully ready to start apply for the best companies and spend a very productive and useful 6 weeks intern!
Last week we started to learn about a new software, which called Revit Dynamo BIM. I have never seen such a compex software before, though I really like it. We will spend the next few weeks learning more about it.
With Adelina, we had a very great and useful class again. We've talked about the internship, portfolio, and cv making. She will review our stuff before the application of interns which is really nice from her.
I was working on my portfolio more than 1 month from morning til late night. I don't really mind the time which I spent working on it because I wanted to be proud of my work and I really, really want to be an intern at one of the best company at Manchester. My portfolio is colourful and informative. Hopefully it will attract the selection team's attention.
I am sending my application package to Adelina and after her feedback I will start applying. I can't wait to work in a real place.
In addition, I am spending my inter-semester break in Hungary this week. I had the opportunity to meet up with the couple who hired me to redesign their family home. I was really excited about it, and it beyonded my expectations! The floor plan of the house is really good, the spaces are spacious. They need repairs and design concepts in the interiors. They have two children, a 2 year and a 13 year old girls. They mostly need design concept in their rooms and the living & dining areas. I was asking them about the colours, materials, special requirements they require. We agreed in the period of one month to make a presentation of my design concept, it's not an urgent project for them. They already sent the floor plans which I will use in SkethUp to remodell the spaces. It's going to be a good fun and hopefully will fit in my portfolio. :)
Plans for next week is to start applying for interns, start researching for the new module (set design), keep blogging and work on the live project.
WEEK 16
11 January - 17 January 2016
This week I went back to university after the long and productive holiday. Me and my group were working on the Feasibility Report's final stages. Actually, I was working a lot on the Report this week as I had to edit all of us pages together. The software sometimes didn't work properly (InDesign), the pictures went blurry without any reason. By the way, the group trustee me to submit the Report which was a really good feeling.
After the submission I jumped back straight away to finish the Reception Desk portfolio pages. Luckily, I didn't have to work with it too long as I already had all technical drawings - not like in the House Project & Nature which I currently work on. Reception Desk pages are done to the portfolio.
Now, I am concentrating to finish everything until the end of next week. I'm getting worried about the application of interns. I feel like I'm out of time and I won't get any place where I want to go. I also feel my portfolio is not as good as I wanted to make it, but I don't want to risk with pulling the time.
Plans for next week is to finish a Diagram page of the House project, then all pages of the project will be done. I also have to make my CV finally... Furthermore, a cover page and content page for the folio. And putting together the Nature project pages. Oh God, I feel like it's never going to be done! Especially that I have a new idea for the Nature project - AGAIN!!! I can't believe myself! I think I like challenging myself a lot. Anyway, I leave the Nature project on this current condition and I will remaking it when I finish with everything else.
And the list is not finished... I also have to start remodelling the Hungarian couple's house in SketchUp and start thinking of design ideas.
To a personal reflective statement of Building analysis module:
In the making of Feasibility Report I was working together with great students, such as Bilal Hameed, Kieran Salt, and Irtaqa Usman. All of us has a strong skill in particular techniques which led us to create an extensive Report about Ordsall Hall.
In this group exercise I had an opportunity to work as a Project Leader. I was taking care of all group members and helped them if they needed it. I created a Facebook group at the beginning which we used quite often. It was a good forum to discuss the Report over the Christmas holiday when we had no chance to meet. I researched the best tips for the report making, such as font types, sizes, colours, etc. During this I was working on my own tasks, Cover page, Content & Introduction, History, Climatology, and Fire Escapes. I quite liked these themes.
After the holidays, we had several group meetings where we showed the completed report pages to each other and agreed in the final aesthetics of the Report. I have to confess I was very satisfied when my group members showed their works. Everybody was working hard on the module, even during the Christmas holiday. However, the group had a little problem with Mariandrea Makri as she did not complete her tasks in time and often late from the meetings. I shared the history part with her and I had a chance to talk with her about the situation. I explained her what we would expect from her and fortunately she was understood my points as she was on time on the next meeting and completed her tasks.
At the end, I had the job to edit all of us completed pages together. I had to make sure all pages are in a logically order, also the figure - and page numbers. I was taking care of everyone’s references & bibliography and list of figures, and the writing of Meeting Agendas too.
I really liked this project, especially the Design Concept part of Ordsall Hall. I was using Photoshop most of the time and I feel I have improved a lot in graphic design.
It is a really good feeling that my group members trusted in me all the time and accepted my ideas. They said I was the energy of the team. I think this group was really good and I would work with them anytime in the future. We had no arguments at all, everybody was clear what to do and maybe Mariandrea will work harder on the next modules from now.
WEEK 15
4 January - 10 January 2016
This week I was quite productive.
At the beginning of the week I was working on the pages of the design concept of Ordsall Hall. It took me three days to finish everything. I think my graphic design skill have improved a lot over the holidays, I work every day in PhotoShop and I feel that I'm really confident user of the software.
Then, I continued to work on the House project's portfolio pages. There are only two pages left to make it - the visuals of the rooms. I think I will do these by the end of the next week.
I also started to organize Ordsall Hall's Feasibility Report's pages to put into my portfolio layout. Actually I made my work harder when I have chosen to make it in vertical layout. The Report is in a horizontal format so it took me a few hours to figure out how I should insert it to my vertical portfolio. By the way, everything is done for the Building analysis modul, one week before the deadline :) I hope I will get a good grade for this one.
Next week I will work on the Reception Desk's portfolio layouts. I think it's going to be a long period to finish it. I have lots of technical drawings to insert. I hope I will make something nice. :)
Another happening that I bought a digital drawing pad which is really great! This is my new favourite toy :) I quite like experiment with it and the illustration area is closer to me than I thought!
WEEK 14
28 December - 3 January 2016
I said goodbye to 2015 and welcomed the new year, 2016. :) I hope this year is going to be as good as it was in last year! University is the best thing what could happened to me since I live in the UK.
I love Interior Architecture, I couldn't imagine my life without it. I had a fantastic year in 2015, I learnt lots of rules in architecture and new techniques in different softwares. These steps bring me closer to my goals day to day.
This week I was concentrating to make my portfolio. I have to organize four projects, it's going to be about 20-25 pages. I did 3 pages so far, it's quite difficult. I never tried to make a "book" before, it requires very strong graphic design skill to reach the look what I want. Hopefully I will finish it by the end of January and I can start applying for Production Design interns. It's just a shame that I can't include the next project - Set Design- as we will complete it by the end of March and it would be too late to start applying for interns.
Another happening was my New Year's Eve painting for a competition. I really enjoyed creating an abstract painting of MediaCityUK. The judge will choose the best pieces and take them to an exhibition. It would be really good if they choose mine too.
About the Group Report, I am a bit pissed off because of Mariandrea who has been promising me the history texts three weeks ago. Without it I am not able to arrange logically the layout of the pages. I found out the deadline is one week earlier than I thought, so I am worried about the outcome.
This week I am working on the design concept of Ordsall Hall. I will use only Photshop to make the client visuals and an A2 size of client board. Graphic design will be my best friend again... :)
Hopefully I also can start the history of Ordsall if Mariandrea finally will send me the informations.
If I'm done with these, I continue to work on my portfolio.
WEEK 13
21 December - 27 December 2015
It's Xmas, but my mind is not around it at all! This week I was concentrating to remake the previous modul, User Centered Design where we had to design an urban city house for a young couple in Manchester. Actually, I didn't want to start redesign from the beginning but my current design ideas didn't allow me to keep the previous floor plans and I had to change every single detail.
This time I try to be more inspired by Le Corbusier and use his architect elements in my design. Another change that I will render every client visual without any render software which is require comprehensive skills in using of Photoshop. I continued to learn from Alex blog's tutorials and I experiment a lot.
I also started to think about my design concept theme to the current module, Ordsall Hall. I want to find a very unusual theme for the exhibition and create beautiful visuals.
This week's aims to finish User Centered Modul client visuals and update the website. I want to make my website readable in English and Hungarian too. And it has been just reminding me that an absolutely great news from this week:
a Hungarian middle-aged couple asked me to design their new-built house in my city in Hungary!
The gentleman is my father's collegue. My dad showed my works to him and he really liked it. He said he would be very happy if I could redesign their house.
This is an amazing opportunity to me as it's a real-life project, I will take before and after images and I can take it to my portfolio too! I am really excited and hopefully they will be satisfied with my work.
My plan is to arrange meetings with them and ask every single details what styles, colours, furniures they like, etc. I have already asked to send me their house floor plans and I will build it in SU. I can't wait to start this real project! :))
WEEK 12
14 December - 20 December 2015
This week was the last week before Xmas holiday. It was quite relaxing, we had a lesson with Matt in the computer room and he showed us a great American Architect who has a blog about how to visualize architecture. He has detailed tutorials how to render an image without any particular render software. I really needed this blog, and I've already improved my skills in Photoshop.
I have decided to organize my works to my Portfolio during the holidays. It's going to be many many hours to make it. I want to refresh some project because my style has been developed since that time and I want to update them to my current knowledge.
I already wrote a to-do-list and I have a feeling it never will be finished! :)
When I cross a completed item from the list, new and new ideas came into my head and the list is expanding! :)
Hopefully I will have a little time for rest too but sometimes I just can't be calm if I know I have things to complete in time. I think I am addicted to my profession!
Plans for next week is to revisit the House Project which we completed in May 2015. It's going to be 7-9 days to finish everything and I can move to the other module (Nature Trail) and to the current module as well.
WEEK 11
7 December - 13 December 2015
At the beginning of the week, Adelina talked about the perfect portfolio layout. I definetely will make my paper and online portfolio over the Xmas holiday then I start applying to Internship from January. I have lots of ideas to make my portfolio, hopefully it will be nice.
To be honest it's really hard to choose a specific area of interior design. I quiet like all areas from residental to commercial.
I might be can feel an affection for Production Design as I always liked the Performing Arts areas. I would imagine myself to design environments for a film, a tv show or a theatre. I will do a deep research in this over the holidays.
We had a team meeting relating to Ordsall Hall Report. We went to visit the site and collect all the relevant informations to start preparing the bits.
I made a nice sketch from the building, actually this was my longest drawing so far, it took me four hours to draw it. But it was worth it.
We also had an insight to Adobe Illustration this week with Matt. I really liked it, it's not hard at all. We drew a cute bunny.
The end of this week was a huge relief after I have done my group presentation performance. I was quiet nervous all week as my group members didn't have time to meet up and talk through everything. I have learnt all of my speech and practiced every single day.
When we actually had to perform our presentation, everybod looked nervous and exctied.
It was quiet interesting to listen the other four groups themes. From 25 student, it was only 4-5 (including me) person who didn't read from the paper. They didn't take the effort to learn a single sentence. It was one girl who even didn't know her group member's name! After a semester! .... :)
All in all, I think I was speaking a little bit faster then I wanted. I hope I will improve my presentation skills as I have to present my ideas in the future to clients.
Next week is the last week before Xmas. I feel really exhausted in the last few days so I am really waiting it!
WEEK 10
30 November - 6 December 2015
This week's main point was about the teamwork. We had our Group Presentation deadline, so I was working hard to organize and edit my other group members' works. Actually, I like the result. I used the presentation skills what I learnt from Viv Bell's lecture. She is a study skills consultant at 'Salford Ask Us' and she delivered a great session about how to make a strong presentation. In the presentation slides design, I used effective images and keywords to make our slides interesting and eye-catching. I have referenced every single image and words in Harvard-system. It was quiet hard, but I did it! :)
To be honest, in this group exercise I had to take the 80% of the overall jobs. I think it was the best for everyone. The way how they organize their slides made me wonder how they can be designers... I am an interior designer and my graphic design skills are even better then an actual graphic design student. They didn't take the effort to work hard on this module. I tried to arrange a meeting to practice our performance as a team, no answer came since. It is really difficult to work with them.
In my Ordsall Hall group report, everything is different. I know there everybody will work hard and will share great ideas with each others. We had a team meeting where we set targets to next week, such as design ideas about our report layout. Everybody has to make 5-6 slides with different layouts, where we details the font types, sizes, colours.
I had news from the sofa competition too. The guy who set this competition, didn't make the brief clear. He forgot to mention that he already has a white sofa which we should decorate, not a whole sofa design... At this point I don't think I will be a part of this.
With Matt, we had a session about building regulations. It was quite hard but interesting. We had informations about fire escapes designs and stairs width due a particular quantity of people and floors of a building.
We also get an insight into Adobe InDesign software with Matt. He explained the basics and why we should have a good skill in its use. I liked it, and I want to use it in the future to designing my portfolio.
During Xmas, I want to start designing my portfolio and find the suitable design companies to work with. I can't wait to get some real-world experience!
WEEK 9
23 November - 29 November 2015
This week was quite surprising. We had a competition in 3 parts of our Fire Evacuate Posters.
Matt wanted us to mark each others work, so he put all the posters to the wall and gave them a letter note.
We had to mark the posters in three perspective: The most funcitonally/clear, The most creative, and The most Functionally and Creative in one piece.
Then, we wrote our favourite pieces' letters to a paper and Matt summarized all of them.
I even didn't know what was my poster's letter but when "O" got the fourth vote I realized its mine. :) At the end, I got 6 vote and my poster was the winner in The most functionally/clear perspective of the competition. I was really happy but if I knew about the competition earlier, I would have done even better my poster. I made it during two days because of my traveling to abroad. I wanted to be early rather then late. And I found out Matt has changed the deadline of the poster so we actually had three weeks to make it. Anyway, I am really happy for my winning and here is a picture of it:
After the competition we rearranged the groups due that some people was't a member of any of them. We were a bit afraid of this action as we already divided the parts of the report. We had to accept the changes and our new group member is Mariandrea. At the first time I was worried of her joining due she's always late from classes and she's not attending regularly. By the way, I must accept she is in our group and I will help her in everything. She just need support.
So we launched a group meeting and rearranged the parts of the report. Mariandrea will work on Building Regulations and she helps me in the History/Timeline. We also organized a site visit in 2 weeks time. I like my group, I think we are really effective.
This week we had our last session of the Group Prezentation Module. I asked my partners to send their works so I can organize the slides. Only one person sent me his stuff. I was a bit worried of this, especially we have one week until the deadline...
I made my own slides and I hoped they will come to the class. Fortunately, Abbie and Adam came in but Ryan didn't appear. We were quite productive, we were working on the reference lists in Harvard sytem and talked over important things. They said they didn't come last week when I told them I am nat able to attend. They said its because I am the leader so it was no point for them to come. It was really heart-warming. :)
We agreed they will send their stuff over the weekend so I finalize the slides and will submit on next Thursday.
Another event of the week was the Sofa Competition. I have sketched some ideas but I think there will be much better pieces from other great designers as I am not a product designer. But at least I tried it. And who knows... I think the results will come in 2 weeks time.
WEEK 8
16 November - 22 November 2015
This week I already produced my A3 Evacuate Poster of Centenary Building as I had to travel to Hungary for different reasons. My mother had a surgery so I wanted to support my family, and I had to attend on an international event of my part-time job. In my poster, I tried to use different illustrations and diagrams to show the first floor plan and emergency exits. I showed the building in 3D and highligted the evacuate ways in green. I showed the evacuate ways in three different form to highlight which is the shortest one, the secondary and alternative ways to escape from a given room of the building. I wanted to include a "funny" element when I mentioned: "In case of fire: Please leave the building before posting it on social media." I think it is an existing problem which we have. I also included the Legends which give a suitable explanation of each sign. I was walking through on the first floor of our building and discovered all of the fire alarm buttons and fire extinguishers. I wanted to include them on my poster too.
It's always a strange feeling to come "home". Unfortunately I can't be that extremely productive when I'm in Manchester. Here I don't have suitable equipment but I always try my best.
This week I concentrated to my upcoming website. I have written all the texts and collected every single picture which I want to use. I will make my website readable in two languages so it was extremely hard to translate everything to Hungarian! Hungarian language is really complex, we have many synonyms to express ourselves. But I did it! :) In High School I was really good in writing essays. However, after 4 years living in the Uk, I have to think twice how I should formulate my words in Hungarian.
I am also booked into a Salford Advantages event which theme is Effective Applications.
I am interested in how I could write a strong application for a job so it will be really useful.
All in all, this week wasn't that busy like usually so I feel really relaxed and ready for hard works!
Next week's aims to get the group presentation slides organized and start to develop my parts of Building Analysis.
I have also applied for a competition of designing a sofa. I will produce my ideas in the following days.
WEEK 7
9 November - 15 November 2015
This week we had a fedback from our reception desk technical drawings. Matthew said my work is perfect and he is really happy I could produce it in a very professional standard. He said if he wants to be really picky he would change the text sizes to a bit smaller and he would highlight the elevations ground lines. That was it. I was really happy for this feedback! :) I will make this changes and I also want to take the drawings to Photoshop. I want to colour them and take it to my portfolio later.
This week we also received our new module, Building Analysis. The practice of designing interiors is an intricate process of satisfying the needs of the user, while balancing this with the consideration of situation and place. This module encourages us to examine of the appropriate forms of technology, construction and materials and how these are utilised in the production of interior design project work.
We have to produce an A3 poster that details the fire escapes and related issues for Centenary building, including diagrams/illustrations that accurately communicate the egress points and procedure. Then as a student group activity, we have to undertake an analysis of a complex building -Ordsall Hall- and prepare a client Feasibility Report by small groups. The building celebrates its 500th Anniversary this year. This event is the starting point for a set of design concepts drawings that will indicate to client an appropriate and exciting exhibition installation that would most suit the building.
I guess I won't be bored in the following weeks. :) We've already started to arrange the small groups for Feasibility Report group exercise. Actually, it was quiet hard.
Some of us struggled with making decisions and another huge accolade was when Bilal said everybody wants to work with me! :)
At the end, my group includes Me, Irtaqah, Bilal and Kieran. In this project I wanted to work with people whom I never worked before. To be honest I prefer working with males. They usually definite but tends to compromise if needed. Some of the girls are touchy or histerical. However, I have to learn working with this kind of people too. Maybe next time. :)
I think our group is really strong. I must admit I wanted to work with these people because I think they are the best and they have strong skills which we can utilize to make a great report. Bilal has fantastic computer aided technical skills, Kieran is great in details and concepts, and Irtaqah drawing/illustration skills are very good as well. I think my strengths are the technical drawings and drawing/illustrations skills. We are stable of all parts of the report.
I created a facebook group for us to discuss what parts we are willing to do. I am going to do the building evacuation plans, sun study and climatology, and I also will make the historical timeline of Ordsall Hall. I want to make nice diagrams, illustrations and great sketches of the building which I can use in the timeline.
In group exercises, I always have to take the leader role. I recognised in my other group presentaton if I don't tell them what to do, they will not do anything. I had to create a facebook group for us and I also created our logo and presentation slides. They even didn't know what is this presentation about. I am sick of this kind of people. I don't understand why they are not attending for a single class, and at the end I will get bad results because their laziness. I think it's a bit funny that a foreign person has to tell her english classmates what to do because they don't know. :) Anyway, I don't mind being a leader. I always give a 100% effort for my work and I want to make sure everything will be spotless.
WEEK 6
2 November - 8 November, 2015
I would compare myself to this crazy cat on the picture! :) I probably looked like this yesterday, when the deadline was for the reception desk. I had to refine the client- and research board in almost the last minute. As I am very perfectionist, I couln't allow myself for one little mistake either. I think I completed well the first important module. I was made the effort to work on it every day at least 10 hours. I take very seriously this course and I want to give my best. I would like to have a nice work replacement during the year, so I can't be lazy. And actually I love what I do. The long hours are not wasted time, it helps me to improve day to day.
I was the first person who printed out the technical drawings on Thursday. I pinned to the classroom's wall as we had to. The next day, every people were keeping telling me they are jelaous and they don't want to pin their drawings next to mine because they feel @%$&. :)
It was really funny and I am very happy for this. This is a huge accolade to me!
WEEK 5
26 October - 1 November, 2015
This week was about finalize everything for the reception desk project. I almost ticked everything on the checklist. :) I was quite happy when I was working on the computer room and Matt praised my work. My classmates came around me and they were impressed. It was a nice feeling that the long working hours were worth it.
I still have to refine my technical drawings and I will do extra work like a Client Board and Research Board. I want to make my portfolio perfect.
I also started to think about my logo. This is very hard I have to confess. First thing is to find the name which I can engage with. I want to find something which represent my style and my personality perfectly. I was thinking of using my surname. I have many ideas in my mind, I will see which would be the best.
This week we learnt to take a dwg file from AutoCAD to Revit. Actually, it was a bit difficult to me. It was too many way to do this so I was confused at the end.
WEEK 4
19 October - 25 October, 2015
I have found very good stuff on internet about different materials which I can use in my desk design. We also had to present our material research. My topic was the masonry walls. This exercise was really helpful especially when we seen other people presentations. I like this exercise, it is really exciting to see the different design styles in different presentation slides. Some of us took the effort to make a nice and powerful presentation, but there are always people who not even attended to present it.
We had a great session with Adelina this week. We went to Manchester Town Hall to sketch. I like drawing, so I have really enjoyed it. :) The only bad thing was just the "beautiful" british weather. :)
When I went home, I took photos of my drawings and played with them in a photo editor program. I really liked the results.
In Revit we still practised to draw a plan and other important things like staircase and roof.
I am quite worried about my group presentation task. It was again just me and the other girl from my group. I don't know where are the rest. Hopefully next week it will be more of us...
By the way it was really interesting session about Feminime or Masculine. It's my favourite so far.
WEEK 3
12 October - 18 October, 2015
This week we had to present our reception desk design concept front of the class. I was excited, I do not realy like talking about my stuff front of lots of people. Stage fright! I feel like everyone criticize my work in their mind. I know they do, because I do it too. Haha :)
Anyway, it was okay. I have lots of ideas, now I just have to pick one and make it perfect.
Still learning Revit, we practised last week's exercises and also seen Rendering fuction. It's not bad.
With Adelina, we explored some creative cv's on internet. We have looked cons and pros of different cv's. It was very inspiring and useful!
Group presentation was allright, except that only me and another girl attended of my group... We had a session about Transgession. I really liked it!
WEEK 2
05 October - 11 October, 2015
This week I was really busy. I made a wide research of reception desks and staircases. I found really good examples on the web. I started to think how I want my design to O2. Using of blue and white colours are fix due its brand identity. I am not sure of the shape of the desk at all. Loads of experiments will come in the next days. :)
In Revit we already learnt how to draw a plan, adding floor levels, sections, furnitures, etc. I like it.
It was a nice session with Adeline about Urban City Planning. We were in mixed groups based on our nationality. I was the Project Manager in my group, I really liked it. It was a useful exercise for everyone.
This week I couln't attend on the group presentation as I felt very sick. Hopefully I did not miss too much as they had a session about using library facilites.
Next week will be the same like this. Design design design, experiment experiment experiment!
WEEK 1
28 September - 04 October, 2015
The first week was very good at uni, I couln't wait to go back during the summer! I love working on different projects and learn every day something new. We have 3 module running at the same time: Developing Professional Skills in 3D Design, Architectural Technology and Spatial Design, and Exploring Creative Context in 3D Design.
The timetable is quiet busy, I didn't expect to go in to studio every day, but I have no choice. :)
My favourite module is Developing Professional Skills in 3D Design with Adelina and Paul. This module is about finding ourselves, our design style, developing communication skills and basically everything which will lead us to be a great designer in this industry.
The first session we looked some previous students' works and some other designers. It was quite useful, a great opportunity to inspire myself.
With Paul, we started to learn the AutoRevit software which is a bit of SketchUp and AutoCAD. We looked at the basic things, it didn't seem too hard. I made screenshots in every step so I can upload to my site as well and if I would forget something in the future, I just visit that topic.
We have also received Architectural Technology and Spatial Design module. We have to design either a reception desk or staircase to a present mobile service. I like this task, already researched the subjects. I was thinking to design a desk to O2 mobile service. The next week I will continue to research and start thinking of design concept.
We have a group presentation task in Exploring Creative context in 3D Design this year. We are in mixed groups with Graphic- and Fashion Design students. It seems exciting but I am not happy with my 6 members of group as 3 members did not attend even on the first session.
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