#reflection: context

So, for my 5 tangible goals that I would like to achieve would be...

1. Get an internship  A deeper explanation to this would be that to me, to be able to get an internship here in Birmingham would mean a lot to me. Considering I came from Malaysia, I would be surprised to receive any opportunity and quite frankly, I have been putting it off because I’m afraid. It’s scary to think to dive into an agency I haven’t even tried in Malaysia (but I guess that’s the main reason why I came to the UK so...)

The current plan for this is that I’m looking into agencies nearby where I live now and I’m preparing a digital portfolio (will run by my tutor) and then see where to take off from there. I’m planning to apply during this time until March, to see if I can bag an internship during Easter Break.

2. Work in an advertising agency / design agency in Birmingham (Or, the dream would be to work in Leo Burnett in London) But mainly, just for an advertising agency or a design agency, full time or part time, it would be an honor to be able to work in an agency here in Birmingham before moving back to Malaysia after my Master’s... which brings me to...

3. MA in...? Master’s in what, exactly, I’m not sure. I’m still thinking about this and considering I have about a year more to go in Degree, I’m putting it off for now. But the goal would be to somehow have a rough image of this by the end of L5 / beginning of L6. 

Update: Thinking about this further, I have a keen interest in Advertising along with Branding. Together, I think it forms an interesting mix of the two. I have a clearer idea of what I want at the moment.

4. Win a design award (YCN, etc...) Of course, whether it’s winning an award or a competition, it doesn’t place a value on me as a designer but it’s nice to get some recognition.

5. Enhance overall skills. As I’m taking up a YCN brief in illustration / animation, I almost didn’t want to choose this brief because of the requirements but then again, I gunned for it mainly for this reason. Sure, we could always switch up the deliverables but for illustrations and animations, I’m not so confident in it (especially animations) but I thought this would be a good time to try to step out and try something new.

So I would be looking into using After Effects more than I used to (I mainly used it to make GIFs and simple animations) but now I’m going to try to be more ambitious? 

For the beginning of the new module of Identifying Direction, we did a little exercise where we closed our eyes to visualise where we would want to be in 5 years... and holy crap was that a lil’ bit scary (or a whole lot).

It’s different for everyone and everyone could possibly vision the same thing but here’s what I envisioned.

Waking up, in an apartment in the city. Bustling city sounds, cars honking below, birds chirping (I kind of hope not - I think birds are too clever and evil) and sounds of another person living with me. Could be anyone; a close friend, a relative, a family member, partner, just someone. Depending on the mood, may skip breakfast, or just bring something light to the workplace.

The workplace... is hopefully a 15-minute walk away, or a 30-minute commute with the public transport. Or a drive away. Just a fusion of these three choices, really (but I would prefer to drive). Parking... is going to be a nightmare so future me, take notes to find a place nearby so I can walk.

The actual workplace. Busy, loud occasional chatters, keyboard warriors and furious clicks from the mouse but a uplifting and passionate environment. Sleep-deprived, coffee-driven, problem solvers at different tables tackling different client problems. Aiming for an advertising agency for the experience, in terms of what I really want, I’m not too sure but at the moment an advertising agency is the one in my mind.

The time I head home, it’s late into the night. Sometimes it’s 7pm, sometimes it’s 7am.

The city, a mix between Malaysia and United Kingdom... (I remember Jane asking me what I saw when my eyes opened and the first thing I said was: “I was alive so that’s something,” - then she asked which country I was residing in and that’s when it messed up my vision because I saw both.)

The take-away from this, I guess, would be that I definitely see myself busy. Keeping myself busy in an environment that constantly pushes me to do more and do better. In this case, I always imagine myself working in an advertising agency. It’s scary, but that’s what’s exciting too. I tend to get insecure and doubt myself, but overtime (and since I came to the UK), I learnt to be confident and believe in myself and I’d want that for me to keep growing even if it means it’s downright terrifying.

The first step for me now, I feel, is to possibly apply for internships at advertising agencies that are looking for potential talents? I felt the drive to apply for internships right after my eyes opened, so I’ll definitely consult my tutor about this. Like one of the L6 students said, the people in agencies don’t bite! It’s better to take the chance and if you hit and miss, it’s fine, at least you tried. But if you hit and you do hit, now... wow.