Back to work

I've had the summer off (with the consent of my tutor and 'the office') due to an overwhelming personal life which dragged me down into a fit of depression.  I'm back now and keen and eager to resume this module. 

I still think it's unfair that when you decide to change to a different module you keep the original start date.  I started Level 2 Landscape in June 2015 but found it wasn't for me.  I changed to Gesture & Meaning (after paying £250 for the privilidge) in October 2015 but have to retain my original start date.  This means, due to my 6 month layoff, that I have until June 2016 to complete 5 assignments giving me approximately 2/3 months for each.  I've set aside 3 2-hour sessions per week to work through the projects and assignments.  Luckily I have taken all the images that I need for assignment 2, and even continued whilst on sabatical.  They just need organising and captioning.

What is research?

I've always like to read the We Are OCA weekend emails and often find items included that really interest me and relate to my learning struggles.  Although I'm not studying advertising I find that the items regarding the theory behind adverts is fascinating.  The latest WeAreOCA on advertising can be found HERE

Last weekend's bulletin (March 5th) included an item which highlighted a subject that I find most difficult - that of research and how to go about it.   OCA Course Leader Rebecca Fairley explains what research in the Creative Arts is all about.  You can read her article  HERE.  Her recommendation was to:

Look. Think. Write.

Look. Think. Draw.

Think about your thinking.

I think this is essential reading for me as, although working in further education and gaining a marketing and further education teaching diploma, I'm sadly lacking in researching adequately and being able to write a critical review almost kills me.  I put it off as long as possible and use every excuse under the sun to leave it until the last possible moment.  My assignment 4 critical review in Progressing with Digital Photography was not received well and I lost even more confidence.  I've read all the stuff issued by the OCA support group but it still sits uneasily with me.  So I have high hopes that I can get rid of the 'elephant in the room' by reading and inwardly digesting Rebecca's article.

Definitions for Project 2 / Assignment 2

Definitions

Metaphor - noun

The definition of a metaphor is "a figure of speech containing an implied comparison, in which a word or phrase ordinarily and primarily used of one thing is applied to another. For example, "the curtain of night" or "all the world's a stage". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor   

Allegory – An allegory is a story with two levels of meaning. First, there's the surface of the story; the characters and plot and all that obvious stuff. Then there's the symbolic level, or the deeper meaning that all the jazz on the surface represents.

The symbolic meaning of an allegory can be political or religious, historical or philosophical. Allegories are kind of like massive metaphors, but they usually come in narrative form—that is, they're told through stories. http://www.shmoop.com/literature-glossary/allegory.html

Out of action for a month

I had a hard time over the past 4 weeks due to my husband needing an op in early February and needing looking after since. He looks much better and I can now pack away my nurse's uniform and get back to my usual attire 

I've got my second assignment ready to get approval from my tutor and have already been planning what pictures and other media I can incorporate to succeed.