The
aim of the Portfolio and Professional Planning unit was to develop my
professional identity through preparing for work appropriate to industry and to
continue my practise as a postgraduate. The unit required me to conduct invaluable
research and exploration into my chosen specialism within industry such as how
a professional artist presents themselves through the internet, which helped to
prepare and create promotional materials including a professional website,
business card, social media and logo. This was then presented alongside my
portfolio within a professional interview, which also required research into
interview procedures and professionalism. The interview gave me the opportunity
to present myself as a professional, knowledgeable artist in front of a panel,
pitching for my chosen job of a wig assistant within theatre.
Throughout
my studies in higher education I have developed employability skills. Through
project planning I have been able to organise my time to adapt my portfolio
through work experience and collaboration, alongside my personal projects. This
has made me a more confident artist, which has helped me to engage in an array
of alternate collaborations, which have provided different challenges and
opportunities. My creative ability has been showcased through these
collaborations, which have given me the chance to use appropriate, contextual
knowledge to create advanced makeup application and hairstyling. This is
visible within the portfolio which over the three years has become one of a
high standard for employment within the fashion and wig making industry where
my range of skills is evident. This has actively improved my drive and ambition
to work within the industry through feeling confident in my skills and creative
ability. Working to develop a professional attitude within work experience has
also made myself an employable artist. Working with other parties during my
studies such stylists as well as photographers have also helped to improve my approach,
enabling me to adapt and handle different scenarios in a professional manner.
This was evident within my second year study where a stylist used my materials
in an unprofessional manner to apply makeup to the models face. This had
effected my confidence and attitude to collaborate, however has today made me a
stronger more direct makeup artist, to which has improved my communication and
leadership skills, within my expertise.
The
learning outcomes of the unit were also met through in-depth research and
development into my knowledge of the makeup industry, pin pointing professional
artists and reviewing the way they present themselves as an artist through the
media and social media. This visual research and inspiration was then reflected
within my promotional material, enabling me to present myself as an artist
trained to a high standard, commencing work in the industry. Refining content from
last years website to create an up to date, professional site was important at
this level, as was making the website easy to use yet as effective as other
industry competitors. I faced decisions over ways in which to showcase my
images based on what was most effective. This was also compromised by the
templates and tools offered by the website builder. Consistently experimenting
and changing formats was essential, and helped me to realise my vision of how
which my work will be showcased effectively. Overall finishing elements of the
website such as purchasing a website domain were required to achieve a branding
for myself and this now compliments my promotional material such as business
cards which again were adapted from last year with the aim to be more visual. This
is due to being within a creative industry where I feel images are a more
powerful way to communicate. The website design and business card design very
much work together to show case the portfolio and specialisms I have adapted to
throughout my study at university, an aim outlined within my brief written at
the start of the unit.
Utilising
audiences and networking opportunities through research into social media and
general web applications was also an important process within the unit. The
ability to manage different social media sites, broadcasting work and creating
collaborations and other potential work, enabled me to feel more confident as a
professional artist. Elements of the project such as the PDP log have assisted
me in becoming an organised artist able to consistently monitor social media
applications, keeping present audiences engaged and consistently building the
audience, proving it a successful tool within the unit. The log also helped me
monitor collaborations, tracking when work is received and allowing me to
request this if it is required.
An
integral part of the development process has been working towards the level 6
industry panel interview, conducted towards the end of the unit. I chose to
focus research based on a wig based job role in theatre. This was deemed a more
appropriate job role to introduce myself into focusing on wig making as a
career, however after reviewing my proposal, stepping away from theatre-based
environments was one of the points outlined within this. I had therefore contradicted
my proposal written at the start of the unit. The interview made me aware that
theatre based work was not appropriate to the portfolio developed throughout my
studies, which revolved around fashion work. This has enabled me to work more
to the competitive industry I aim to specialise in and is something, I had also
highlighted that I wanted to improve within the unit. The panel were very aware
of the contradiction discussed through viewing my portfolio and highlighted
this. As I began makeup work within theatre I was able to resolve this issue
and provide the panel with an alternate yet comprehensive visual portfolio of
theatrical productions when requested, and also was able to discuss in a
confident manner the work I have undertaken where wigs have been made bespoke
to an outcome, despite being for fashion photography purposes. This made the
wig work and examples I discussed appropriate to the position and something,
which I discussed with good scope, knowledge and ability. I began the interview
by showcasing work, which did not demonstrate my full ability and skill base.
It would have been more beneficial to begin the interview discussing work to
the highest standard that I could discuss passionately, promoting myself to the
employer as a competitive innovator, with the ambition and drive to become
successful within the industry. This was a learning curve and is something
which I will avoid doing in the future, instead introducing my work in a
positive manner through my showreel, where the employer can engage in my
practice prior to interview commencement.
After
reviewing the recorded interview, I was able to see that being scripted within
this was something which, was more obvious in the interview than anticipated. To
improve this in the future I will take further care when preparing for an
interview and an even longer period of preparation, which would enable me to
speak confidently about my work unscripted, offering a more personal discussion
with the employer. General control over the pitching of my voice is something I
am now also aware of and the confidence that comes from speaking in a clear,
concise tone. I was very pleased to receive the feedback from the panel, which was
very positive, and deemed myself an employable candidate with a professional
portfolio.
Now
the unit is complete I am able to go forward in applying for jobs as a
graduate. Research into tax, insurance, and working freelance have also informed
my career aspirations after university. Since reflecting back on my proposal, I
have now realised that working in Theatre would be a beneficial starting point
for my career. Working in theatre as a wig assistant would enable me to develop
my confidence and skills in wig making and styling. Although my portfolio is
very fashion focused, the photo shoots have provided me with essential skills
to make me employable within the different specialisms of the industry. These
essential skills include not just the development of both modern and period
hair skills, and effective makeup application, but product knowledge as an
artist, something which has developed and informed my ability to make decisions
appropriate to each individual outcome. Skills such as understanding commercial
timings and how long aspects of my practise is also an important learning curve
as well as continuity and the running orders for the film and television
industries.
I
came to university to further develop my basic knowledge of makeup artistry and
to improve my professionalism and application skills. Over the three years I
have achieved this through trial and error, learning a wide range of techniques
and acknowledging strengths and weaknesses. I have found the unit particularly
helpful in identifying my chosen specialism, and how my work should be refined
and showcased to display this. Within the next two years I aim to be working
within a wig assistant position, furthering my knowledge and technical skill in
wig making. Further in the future I aim to step into fashion wig making. I also
will be furthering my hair styling knowledge, beginning evening classes in hair
styling at my local hair and beauty training facility. With my positive attitude, drive and
commitment I know I am now able to achieve my personal aims as a professional
makeup artist and wigmaker.
