Reflecting on this unit, I’ve grown significantly as a designer, gaining much more confidence in my abilities and my voice. I’ve become more willing to speak up about my ideas and challenge those that don’t seem right, which I struggled with last year and even in the last unit. A key factor in this growth has been my close-knit group of university friends, creating a supportive environment that encouraged open discussions. This has allowed me to express my thoughts more freely and feel confident enough to stand by my ideas in future projects.
One example of this newfound confidence was when I voiced my concerns about a group member’s choice to use a yellow background, which didn’t align with our website’s colour palette and vibe. Another instance was when a team member designed an event ticket in a shape that clashed with our brand guidelines. By speaking up, we could address these issues and improve our design, proving to me that honest communication is essential for creating the best work.
However, there’s still room for improvement. During this project, one group member did significantly less work and didn’t attend the presentation. When she said she wouldn’t be there, she stopped working altogether, which increased my workload because I had to design her slides and write her script. Looking back, I regret not addressing this imbalance, as it led to additional stress. I should have spoken up and encouraged a more equal distribution of tasks.
As we progressed through the project, the quality of our work improved dramatically compared to the initial stages. It was a clear indication that by embracing different perspectives and adjusting our approach, we could achieve great results. This experience also taught me that if a design isn’t working, it’s okay to start over and try a new angle.
The group dynamic in this project helped me understand what real-world collaboration might be like. We encouraged open dialogue and embraced the idea that every contribution matters, which helped us build a stronger team. This approach is especially valuable to me because I have severe anxiety and struggle with standing my ground. This unit taught me that it’s essential to advocate for myself and my ideas, rather than simply going with the flow to avoid conflict.
On a personal level, I realised that everyone has different work ethics and paces, which can cause stress when people don’t meet agreed-upon deadlines. I like to stay organised and stick to schedules, so this can be challenging. However, I’ve learned that open communication can help address these issues, and I need to be more straightforward about my expectations.
Overall, this unit has been invaluable not just for my design skills, but also for my personal growth. It has given me the confidence to stand up for my work, highlighted areas for improvement, and taught me valuable lessons about collaboration and communication. I feel better equipped for future projects and more confident in my ability to handle group dynamics and challenging situations.
