Reflecting on my Final Major Project so far- In my work I have researched ethics and sustainability, especially to inform me of what materials I should use which are sustainable in my work. However, I think I should complete more specific research on ethics and sustainability such as statistics linked to materials and their impact on the environment. I have mainly kept my bibliography up to date, and i will make sure I add the last few websites I haven't attached. I have identified my audience- teenagers/young adults, specifically interested in fashion. I have planned quite well as I have made a planning document with targets and time planning, as well as created designs to plan for my work. However I think I could've improved my planning a bit by creating mind maps etc. I think my reflecting has been very good as I have reflected on my work and highlighted improvements every week on my reflections page, as well as reflecting on each piece of work I have completed. In my work I have also discussed visual language, such as colour, shape and pattern.

How does my work link back to the theme?- I have responded to the theme personally, firstly by focusing on my interest in fashion and graphics by creating a body of work which involves these 2 pathways. Also I have focused on cold weather and raynauds which is a condition I have, and I have focused on the impact cold weather has on me to make my project personal to me. I have successfully applied ethics in my work by creating work which doesn't cause offense, such as ensuring that I have not used any cultural appropriation. Also my work doesn't use any offensive symbols and it is bright and colourful so it is suitable for anyone to see. I think my work communicates my ideas well as I have explored my ideas through a variety of work and mediums, and I have presented cold weather by creating collages, mittens and more, which shows the story I am telling and the link between hands, raynauds and cold weather. Although, I think my ideas may not be obvious to everyone because the designs are quite abstract. I learnt different facts about weather and global warming, which has informed my work by making me aware of the materials I use so I myself can reduce my impact on global warming.

Did I do enough research and preparation?- I have used my artists and specialist pathway effectively to inform my project. I have taken inspiration from the artists I researched, such as the storytelling of Anne van Galen and the shape of Christopher Raeburn's clothing designs. I have also focused on the 2 specialist pathways I'm interested in: fashion and graphics. Although I think I could've improved this aspect of my research by researching more graphic design artists. In my work I have used my primary research quite well. I have been inspired by the Design Museum, which I visited and took photos there, and used this inspiration to inform my own work. However, to improve my primary research I could have sketched more observational drawings to improve my observational drawing skills and use those skills in my work. I have effectively researched materials, techniques and processes as I have experimented with a range of materials such as creating wind drawing machines and making collages and lino prints. This has allowed me to discover what making processes I like and hence helping me decide what I wanted to make for FMP. To improve my research into materials, techniques and processes I feel like I could've researched more artists work linked to these techniques to help give me tips on how to maximise my ability when trying these new techniques. I think the most effective research was creating a mind map and collecting images, both online and when visiting the Design Museum. These helped my pattern and fashion designs as it allowed me to see visually what colours, shapes and forms intrigued me. Overall, to improve my research I would have made more observational drawings and researched more artists linked to graphics.

Am I pleased with the quality of the final solutions? How could it be improved?- I personally think the most successful parts of my project was my digital fashion designs, using photoshop and photography to attach my patterns to clothing, and making a physical textile item- mittens. I think this has allowed me to use a range of textile materials and digital software and has portrayed my main idea of creating garments suitable for cold weather. However, I feel like the mittens aren't fully refined as it is one of the first times I have used a sewing machine, and I don't think some of the colours work such as the yellow fabric. Also if I had more time I would've liked to create a more elaborate garment such as a long sleeved top/coat. i felt that at times my lino print didn't go to plan as I accidentally cut out the wrong areas, and also some of my prints didn't line up. I managed this by using the unsuccessful lino prints to make further collages to add to my collection of work. In my work I have focused mainly on the visual language elements: colour, shape and pattern. I have used these imaginatively in my work by using both contrasting and similar colours to create an interesting range of colour, as well as focusing on the shapes of hands and moons, then cutting them into more abstract shapes to create a variety of organic shapes from 2 main ideas. Although some of the abstract shapes look excited and interesting, I feel that some of my collages are too abstract and don't portray my ideas fully, which is something I would do differently next time. I have used my materials creatively, such as I have used different colours for my linos (reduction prints) which adds more detail and depth to the work. However I think I could've refined some of the work I did if I had more time to make the pieces more developed. I think my reflective practice has been very good and I've ensured that I reflect on all my work so I know how to improve it. I think I have considered sustainability a lot in my work. For example I have used left over fabric for the mittens and also reused the unsuccessful lino prints to create more art rather than getting rid of them. However I felt that I used a lot of paper and newspaper print when creating the lino prints, which I could've reduced to reduce waste.

Did I plan and organise myself well?- I felt like I planned and organised well. I have met the deadlines and also completed a sufficient amount of work in this time. Although, I feel like I could've planned better earlier in my project as I only came up with my final ideas later in the project. Next time I will make sure I create planning documents and mind maps right at the start so I have more time to complete my work and don't have to complete my work all in one go.

What will the viewer think or feel when looking at my work?- I think my presentation is good on my website and sketchbook as I have made it clear with titles and putting my work in the right sections. Also the images are good quality and look tidy. Although I feel that I could've used my sketchbook more to make the pages look more intriguing and eye-catching. I think I have identified my audience quite well as I have focused a lot on fashion and graphics which is modern and appealing to teens/young adults. Although, Some of my work may appeal to a different audience such as the mittens as they are not worn by a lot of people in that age range. My work can be effective in an operational context, such as the mittens being a garment you are able to wear, and also the collages being something that can be transferred to graphics. I could also present my work on different items of clothing. If I could add to my work I would've made more garments using my patterns.

Have you developed as a creative practitioner?- My personal goals as a creative practitioner is to go into the fashion or graphics industry, and I am thinking I might want to study a course specific to this at university. My project has supported my progression to this goal as it has allowed me to learn more about photoshop and using a sewing machine which are 2 skills needed for fashion and graphics. Additionally, I can use this collection of work in my portfolio in the future if i decide to go to university or apply for related jobs and apprenticeships. To keep moving towards this goals I can keep practising with these materials and processes to improve as well as creating more work to add to my portfolio.