Throughout this module I have faced and overcome many challenges. A lot of those challenges consisted of first-time experiences for me as an artist and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity.

The knowledge I gained will stay with me and aid me consistently as I journey towards meeting new challenges and sharpening my skills as an artist, even after graduating.

The element of teamwork was the centrepiece of this module. Communication was key and I was witness to both sides of this coin. When communication was good, people shared ideas and built upon them, effectively raising the workflow of the group and the individuals to new levels. Seeing projects move forward in leaps was a very motivating experience and taught me that there is a true strength to be found and explored in group tasks.

On the other hand, when communication was poor, the projects often suffered. A lack of feedback and generally poor communication was something that I feared to encounter but understood that it was not entirely unlikely. I mostly struggled with that after a few weeks in my second group but faced it head-on until new doors opened. This taught me that it’s important to not give up, as better opportunities can sometimes take time to unveil.

As the module unfolded, I had found that there is a near-infinite potential for personal growth within the lecture halls. This comes in no small measure thanks to the amazing staff who have devoted themselves to helping us broaden our horizons and hone our skills.

The cleverly constructed exercises and homework tasks allowed me to, step-by-step, become a much better artist. There wasn’t a single instance of useless knowledge being imparted. Everything that was shown, taught and explained would sooner or later come back to benefit me to a great extent. This began all the way back in Week 1, with the exercises shifting my focus from a passive viewer to a point where I could actively break down a character into simple shapes. This one exercise assisted me many times, for example when I simplified real-life references to create a crocodile character for my group.

The introduction of a 3D module at the same time only helped to reinforce the idea that great artwork often starts with simple shapes.

Coming to Ulster as a mature student allowed me to not only notice but also appreciate the opportunities far more than I believe I ever could have at a younger age. I believe waiting a few years was the correct choice in my career, the benefits of which I can see as early as the start of my second year as a student.

I believe planning my time better is something I could greatly benefit from, as I have found it’s easy to get distracted at home.

With that in mind, I am keen to continue developing my artistic skills with each task and hope to make the best use of my time at Ulster.