Project Evaluation

Working in the group ‘Umberella’ highlighting the following aspects; Design, Engagement, Senses and The Unexpected. This worked as a manifesto that collectively each of the 9 individuals in my group worked towards. When  working in such a large group I felt that having a common set of values that each member could bear in mind helped hugely, it meant that we were all reflecting upon and communicating about similar ideas. Working in a group meant many different skill sets were utilised in a collaborate manor and this was an excellent experience to have as I imagine this to be a similar arrangement for a real working environment in a design and events specialism.

At first I was very timid about sharing my ideas, I was worried that they would not be very well received by the rest of the group and I didn’t want to make people feel as though they had to be followed through however I did eventually express my thoughts and ideas for the festival to the group. I found that Grace and David who were also in my group had been having ideas that would work well with mine. We both agreed that we wanted the festival to have a sense of community to it, to promote the idea that ‘Design’ could be enjoyed by all in order reach out to the community particularly in Manchester. This was realized through the idea of gardening in order to promote sensitivity to sustainability issues and to leave a legacy within the city whilst building upon community.

It has become particularly apparent thought this project that articulating my ideas is something I find very difficult. I find that I have had interesting thought processes and good ideas yet I find expressing them through words very hard. This is hugely frustrating as it would greatly improve my practice and help me to express the concepts I feel are so important to my ideas. This is something I would really like to work on, I hope to do this by reading more as I feel this will open my mind and improve my written skills. I think that making is such a huge part of what I do that often I can become very caught up in that side and often don’t take enough time to reflect, although I find making can help me think, I must find a better balance.

The pitch to Manchester city council went very well, although I didn't speak I stood at the front and helped to hand out promotional pieces of work. It was excellent to see all our hard work thoughts and discussions be so well received by the members of the panel. Fortunately they liked the idea of ‘leaving a legacy’ in the form of a garden space.

I found the initial discussions in the manifesto and unconference workshops encouraging, it was good to see that people think about issues and wish to express thought through their work. I have learnt a lot this unit x, mainly from working with such a breadth of people with many different skill I hope that the experience will stay with me and help with future projects. I hope to carry on the confidence I have found to talk about my ideas. 

image taken and edited by David Wright