Thinking Critically

I think that this year has taught me a lot about the skills needed to be gathered to work in the make up and hair design industry. Before I started the course I had my basic make up skill and understanding of how products should be applied as well as skills regarding what looks good and works well together. However upon reflection the basic techniques and skills, such as cleansing the face and taking consultation notes, have been some of the most valuable that I have learnt this year, as ultimately they will make me more professional and better at my job in the future. Throughout the year I have found the feedback sessions some of the most useful and also impactful on me as a person. Although it can be quite critical it has taught me to take on board any negative responses, make changes where appropriate and understand that it is an opinion and that within the industry people will not always like or understand your work. I think this is one of the most beneficial things that has come out of this year as it has made me a stronger artist and designer. I have also appreciated the feedback and have started to channel it in a positive way which I think has helped improve the work which I have produced.

When reflecting on things that I would do differently I think that I mostly would be more driven and ambitious, and realise that greater effort and planning produces more originality and better results. Although I do take my studies very seriously I need to understand that the industry is big and to be successful you need to push yourself harder and be more ambitious. I think that this has been influenced mostly by my fellow peers. I can see that there are many people who push themselves further and who are the ones who achieve the higher grades. In my second year of study I want to focus all of my time on my studies and make myself realise that this is my degree and my future that I am working on. Ultimately I have decided that I should no longer take the easy option on anything and push myself to my highest possible ability, even if that does mean a little less free time!!