#dissertstion

To create your own place/existence in art.

Francis showed me my place in 2014 and I didn’t even know until today, 5 years later.

I have started a proofreading business. I will proofread and tutor with regards to CV writing and essays/ dissertations up to Masters level 

Contact details below 

https://jbrown2115.wixsite.com/newleaf

Would really help if anyone is willing to do this survey for me, literally not even a minute long and completely anonymous. Many thanks xo

It's a strange feeling, suddenly not having to look at a piece of work you've been doing on for nearly nine months. My dissertation has pretty much ruled my life, causing me loose sleep, making me irritable and probably horrible to live with, keept me from my friends, and prevented me form spending a decent amount of time with my family over the holidays. Though I did give myself Christmas to January 2nd off so that I didn't go absolutely insane in my membrane, as those who work through Christmas so often do.

Before beginning my dissertation, I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my design degree (which I shall be fighting for, tooth and nail, to get a decent grade. Even if it kills me!), but now I think I know. Or at least have a rather strong inkling. I've always been one of those geeks who's really enjoyed getting their teeth into writing. Remember that chubby kid from secondary school who was always sitting quietly, getting on with their work and trying to ignore the poor excuse for pond life sitting next to them, who was most probably kicking them under the table when the teacher wasn't looking? Yeah, that was me. All the knuckling down, working hell-a hard for my GCSEs and not giving the pond-scum the time time of day, really paid off. I've always found that I've had a fairly firm grasp on a use of the English language (despite epically failing at spelling) and my dissertation has made me realise that this is what I want to do. 

I don't mean that I want to spend hours writing an academic tome that a student will pick up once in a blue moon and then complain about how boring it / how heavy it makes their backpack (you know we've all done it). I want to keep up with the times, following contemporary design and design issues. I want to do something like the CR Blog. Something fun that gives me free access to design events and license to talk critically about them. 

By no means do I want to stop practicing design. I'm just not sure I have the confidence in my design skills to compete with professionals who have been doing it for years. If my last grade was anything to go by, even the amount of time and effort I put into work doesn't seem to be enough. Maybe I should just give up sleep so I can have more time to work... *looks at time stamp*, OK, I think the last push to get my dissertation finished already did that for me :p

I'm not going to make a definite decision on anything right now. You don't know what can happen in a few months. I've got work experience with Elmwood some time this year. You never know, they might tell me that I'm definitely not cut out for design, to throw in the proverbial towel and I might as well learn how to use a mop. I could get a D for my dissertation. Though if that happens, I think I might just blow a gasket. Or cry myself to sleep for a few months...

The (I'd like to think) long awaited, and over due, proforma update has finally arrived to your screens! Those of you who are actually a little bit excited should be ashamed of yourselves! Academic skills are uncool and will only serve to get you beaten up behind the bike sheds! ;P

Apart from that I passed, WOOH! According to the magical paper of reason attached to the front of the ream that is my proforma I got an A. That is, I would have got an A if it wasn't a pass or fail only thing and grades meant diddly squat for this project. Oh well, at least it gave me a bit of a confidence boost, and proves that I can string together seemingly unrelated information in a congruent fashion. Yes, we are into the big words today :)

The next step is returning to the reading and writing monster and see how much of this beast I can get done before the end of the summer. I do have primary research to collect, but I have to jump through several hoops for UWICs ethics panel in order to make sure I'm not 'objectifying' my subjects. All I want to do is ask a few Baristas in town about their daily observations of their client's drinking habits, how unethical can that be?? Of course I'll be a sensible little researcher and phone the manager of each of the Starbucks in question, ask if it's OK for me to question one of their staff and find out the most convenient time to do so. Hopefully they don't have some stupid Barista/Client confidentiality BS lurking in their contracts.

"I'll have what ever that guy has, it looks really good!"

"I'm sorry madam, I'm contractually obliged not to tell you what he's drinking. Beverage preference is confidential unless otherwise stated, in writing, by the client and signed by an officiary."

:| 

In the meantime, I'm hoping to occupy myself with a few self set projects I've been meaning to get around to. And maybe find one or two cool things on the interwebs to chat about :)