Reflect Presentation

For my final presentation at the end of the year, I was to reflect on my year and what I have gotten from the last months of university. It has definitely been a very intense year, but one of the best I have ever had.

When I moved away from London, I wanted to get away from the expense of the city and living with my parents. Independence is important to me, and I really wanted to experience it.

This year I feel like I have gained such an appreciation for animated works outside of mainstream movies. I have been able to see so many during Manchester Animation Festival, as well as ones that friends and tutors have shown me. I have learned that there is no one good way to tell a story, and no singular best style to animate in.

I also really enjoyed going to MAF and Tokyo, both trips that opened my mind and eyes up to all kinds of possibilities. Tokyo allowed me to enjoy a different culture, while still gaining some relevant animation experience at the Studio Ghibli Museum. I also really loved going abroad with friends, and getting to be with people on my course outside of Leeds. Plus, I had always wanted to visit Japan and this was a fantastic way to get to see the country.

On the down side, I feel like my weaknesses this year have mostly been based around my time management. While at the beginning of the year I really struggled with having to cope with this new workload, I do feel like I now understand how to deal with it. Still, I have been burning out nearing deadlines and this hasn't been very good for my mental health at all. Instead of burning out and working myself incredible hard, I should make sure that I am working consistently, not constantly.

I also have trouble with comparing my work to others'. I end up seeing my own work as not as good as other people's, which is not really true at all, and instead I should really be focusing on how I can improve mine and gain inspiration.

I need to start sketching more, taking in real life rather than always drawing from reference images. This will allow my skills in anatomy and backgrounds to improve, and this is something I plan to do over summer.

Overall, it has been a brilliant year, and I have leaned so much about animation and myself. I really look forward to gaining further insight when the term resumes in September.