We strongly recommend that you complete this before arriving for Induction Week (Week 1, Monday 21 September), rather than trying to do this during Induction week. There will be other things to do in Induction Week.
Your first studio day will be on Monday 28 September.
You are to create six images. Each is to be an image produced by hand, either drawn, painted, charcoaled, collaged...using any by-hand techniques you wish to use. Each is to be on white card measuring 148mm x 105mm. This size is a standard UK postcard size. You could use blank postcards for the task, or use white card of your choice that you cut to size. You can also use colour card if this helps you produce your images.
- Images 1 and 2
You are to respond to the prompt 'Why I chose to study Architecture'
Title each of your images 'Why I chose to study architecture #1' and 'Why I chose to study architecture #2'. Neatly write the image title on the card/image in relatively small letters, although you might choose to make the text part of the graphic on one or both of the images.
- Images 3 and 4
You are to respond to the prompt "Where I am from"
You can interpret this in whichever way you wish. You might choose to focus on where you live, where you were born, or aspects of your family, your identity, or your culture, rather than the physical place. Give each image a suitable title of your choosing and, as noted above, neatly write this on the card/image.
- Images 5 and 6
You are to respond to the one or both of the following prompts "What is beauty?" and "How does architecture effect human well-being?"
These are very big questions. Both images can respond to one of these prompts, or you can use one image for each, or merge the two prompts and leave the viewer guessing as to which you are addressing. Give each a suitable title and write this on each card/ image as noted above.
When you attend your first studio day, you will be required to pin-up these images on the wall, or place them on a table. Every student will do this, and it will facilitate discussions about who we all are, the different drawing and graphic communication skills we have and other things. Ensure you bring drawing pins in order to do this (see materials/ equipment list).
You will be directed to scan your images using UoN printer-scanners and use the scans to create the opening page of your ‘Digital Portfolio’. This is an important submission document that you will develop across the first semester and hand-in for assessment in December. These requirements will be explained to you in detail when you arrive, but it is useful for you to know the intention behind this preparatory work.
Please also attend the first studio day with a brief hand-written paragraph (30 - 50 words) to describe each image. Your design tutors may ask you to pin-up each descriptor alongside each image. You can write each paragraph however you wish, upon whichever medium you wish to use: paper; card; metal; wood…….. Doing this relatively simply may be best, but you must consider how the descriptor will be pinned-up alongside, or under, or over the image. By way of example, you may write each description on another ‘post-card’, or piece of card or paper with the same width as your images, such that can neatly pin-up each descriptor under each image. You should also consider the size and quality of your written text, including whether it is written left, right or centrally justified (which is best?). Across the year you will be learning how to best present your work on the wall, carefully considering how to best organise images, text, paper sizes and so on: pinning up your Visual Personal Statement on day 1 is the start of that learning process.
When you include your scanned images in your digital portfolio you will be asked to include a brief paragraph to explain each image; this might be a scan of the written description you bring to the first studio day, or a typed version of it.
This preparatory exercise is not a test. Do not worry too much about decisions you make regarding the images you produce.