Unit Evaluation

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.