Sample Art and Design Personal Statement
Photography and graphic design are visual languages that allow us to explore the world and to communicate our own experience of it as effectively as verbal language. For those with a passion for the subject, it becomes second nature to frame the world through this visual language, whether we are carrying a camera or not. As I develop my skills through study and experience, I become ever more excited by the prospect of eliciting emotion, evoking memory or creating a narrative through a single shot. Far from being a static record of the world, photographs are shaped by both the photographer and the viewer and it is by learning more about the messages that images can convey that I hope to create powerful, meaningful work in the future.
Currently studying towards a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design, I have encountered many fundamental aspects of Photography, Design and Visual Culture. Having studied a range of Art and Design practices in my first year, including Animation, Interactive Graphics and Fashion and Textiles, I have specialised in the second year in enhancing my understanding of Photography and Visual Culture. There is a strong emphasis on gaining the practical skills needed to work within the industry and I have been lucky enough to undertake a range projects responding to a variety of challenging briefs. Alongside working in a commercial environment, we are also encouraged to explore fine art photography and will be expected to mount an exhibition of our own work at the end of the course. Underpinning the fine art aspects of the course is a concern with transferable theory and design skills, and we have undertaken written work on Visual and Contextual Studies, as well as practical work on Graphic Design, observational drawing and the creation of 3D work; all of which adds to my overall understanding of visual language.
As the practical experience I have gained throughout the course has demonstrated, Photography and Graphic Design are also industries which require excellent communication and teamwork skills. I have honed these skills through retail positions, performing well in all customer service roles. In my current position my hardwork and dedication has been rewarded with a promotion from Sales Advisor to Management Support, which has offered the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for store administration and business practices. This experience of maintaining accurate financial records and team organisation will prove particularly valuable in a future career that is likely to involve freelancing.
I have also honed teamwork and communication skills through my position as elected School Sports Captain, responsible for organising training schedules, uniform orders and inter-house competitions. This taught me a great deal about time management, leadership and people skills, helping me to take effective responsibility and to work as part of a team. The dedication and perseverance that I have shown throughout my studies also applies to my passion for sport, having worked hard over a number of years to achieve my 1st Dan Black Belt in Aikido alongside my schooling.
Photography, Design and Visual Culture have become all consuming passions of mine as I have studied them in greater depth. As I learn more about the way in which we look at the world, I am more and more convinced that a career within this field will prove the most appropriate and satisfying match for my interests and skills. By gaining further practical experience within the industry throughout my gap year, I hope to begin my undergraduate studies with a level of knowledge and experience that I can build on to ultimately turn this passion into a career.
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