WB2 Work-based learning action plan

SWOT analysis – where are you now?

Qualifications, Skills (Employability, Subject Specific and Transferable), Knowledge and Achievements

Description

I have always been interested in drawing, weather this be an object or a random image from the top of my head. However over the last 4 years my skills have developed in certain areas. As well as being taught very little about certain software in school and sixth form, I believe what I have taught myself on Adobe Dreamweaver, InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator has made me get to where I am now. While studying GCSE Graphics and BTEC National Art & Design I learnt new skills such as different types of printmaking and also other transferable skills. I have also completed several different work experience placements such as a small sign writing company and also a worldwide magazine company. While completing both work experience placements I learnt several skills and also learnt more about the working life of both types of work. As like a lot of people I have loads to learn with in the Graphics area, such as developing my software skills, my networking skills and also learning skills for the more practical side of the subject area.

Part C

SWOT analysis – where do you want to be?

Using your research, complete your short and long-term goals (Be SMART)

Short term

·      Complete my degree to the best of my ability. ·      Learn the most I can about the current industry (software and hardware) while developing current/new skills from my tutors and peers. This will help me find my niche within the design world. ·      Create a good network of people that could be useful in the future.

Long term

·      Getting a good job that pays well within the industry, designing work in my own style. ·      While completing design work to keep learning as much as I can about the industry and also keep developing current and new skills. ·      Have a live running website showing off my portfolio of work that I have completed, which will help to generate more work. ·      Once established my own style and contacts, start a design company either by myself or in a partnership with other designers. ·      Expand the company overseas to help generate more work and more job opportunities for young designers.

Part D  

SWOT analysis

Do a SWOT analysis of your goals based on your research

Strengths ·      ICT Skills ·      Communication Skills ·      Organisational Skills ·      Numeracy Skills ·      Writing Skills ·      Working under pressure and towards targets. ·      Knowledge of some Adobe Software.	Weaknesses ·      Presenting Skills ·      Negotiation Skills ·      Confidence ·      Very Self Critical ·      Drawing skills ·      Flash Skills ·      Networking Skills ·      Practical Skills
Opportunities ·      Completing my degree at a well-known college with a good reputation of creativity. ·      Learning new while developing old skills from my lecturers when completing my degree. ·      Good jobs available, i.e. Work experience, apprentices, freelance etc. ·      Being able to publish own work. ·      Online career websites.	Threats ·      Students on the same course at me. ·      Other Designers from other universities. ·      Headaches ·      Economical Climate ·      RSI’s

Part E  

SWOT analysis 

Work-based learning action plan (Be SMART)

Based on your completed SWOT analysis 

Write a personal statement about your goal

Overall for this current year my main goal is to pass all of the assessments to the best of my ability and learn as much as I can along the way. Over the next three years I want to feel that I’ve learnt a lot and that I am on my way to becoming a multi skilled designer. I want to learn as much a I can about the industry standard hardware and branch out into out formats of designing such as flash animation, 3D imaging and also media architecture. All of these skills will help me fulfil my goals. I am really keen on developing my software skills as well as learning as much as I can about hardware such as the laser cutter, scanners, different types of printers and also learning about the different types of materials available for web and print. I have an idea of what area of design I want to work in, how ever learning all new skills such as flash animation and media architecture will help me gain more clients and improve my design career.

Write a personal statement about your immediate goals and how you intend to achieve these  Include:  Action needed, deadline dates and how you will know you have achieved these

I believe that my immediate goals are really just to make sure I complete my first year at the college while making sure I complete all units to the best of my ability. I do feel that some units will be completed to a better standard than others due to the fact that I will be more interested in certain areas. I know that I should put as much effort into each unit as I possibly can, as this is obviously a more professional way to look at each brief. The deadline dates for the immediate goals are really the deadline dates for each unit. This is because I need to complete each unit by the given deadline to make sure that my first year of the degree is complete. This will then mean that I can move onto my second year of my degree.

Write a personal statement about your goals for the next 18 months and how you intend to achieve these  Include:  Action needed, deadline dates and how you will know you have achieved these

My main goals for the next 18 months would have to be, passing the first year of my degree and also completing my second year. I will have to do this by making sure all the units given are completed to a high standard. I also think that another goal for the next 18 months is to develop new and existing skills. I would say the main skills I want to develop would have to be my software skills on programmes such as adobe creative suite as well as learning new software skills. I would like to try and learn more about flash, CSS and also HTML as this will help me within the web design of graphic design. I would also like to learn as much as I can from my tutors and also my peers as this will not only help me further my career but also help me create a good network of people. By learning a few things from peers will also help me to get to know them and what they can do, which might come in handy in the future, if I am able to start up my own design studio.

Write a personal statement about your goals for the next 3 years and how you intend to achieve these  Include:  Action needed, deadline dates and how you will know you have achieved these

Over the next three years I say my main goal is to finish my entire degree to the best of my ability and making sure that I put enough effort into each unit to complete the programme with a good grade. While completing my degree I will make sure that I learn as much as I can about the industry from my tutor and peers. I will also make sure that I completing small jobs for companies outside the college to make sure I network and develop my skills in the real world. I would like to complete the programme with having made enough contacts to just walk into a design job. If this is not possible I will have to make sure that I keep developing my skills and completing small jobs while freelancing. I will know if all these goals are met by completing my degree to a high standard while taking on small design jobs. To make sure that the goal of either being employed by a design studio/company or even freelancing will be seen by what happens once I have graduated. I would like to even maybe start up my own company with friends/peers from my course, by utilising their skills as well as my own.