What I Have Learned from this Project and My Manifesto

In this term, I have formed my own opinions on a variety of topics including Politics, Futurists and the Bauhaus.

From the Futurists, I have learnt that I believe we shouldn't burn down libraries or museums. We should embrace the past, regardless of if things have gone to plan. We should learn from our mistakes and happy accidents as well as things that deliberately go well. I believe that, in this modern day and age, wars are outdated and we should all be feminists, we should all strive for equality for everyone. Everyone should have equal opportunities and should be treated with the same respect.

The Bauhaus' lack of politics is inspiring to me, it is surprising how they believe that design can be separate from any kind of politics. I believe that without any sort of rebellion, or statement, there will be no depth to the design. A piece of work should say something, otherwise it's just there and doesn't change anything. When approaching the subject of politics, I will ensure that my work reflects my views. I hope to not make anything prejudiced or stereotyping without correct research and will support positive change through my work.

EB White's quote about how dissecting humour is like dissecting a frog made me realise that the same can apply to design in general. If you study something too closely, you become close-minded and get tired of it. I need to regularly stand back from my work and look at it from another angle to prevent this from happening. I must try to consider all possible points of view. Furthermore, like humour, design is subjective. If I don't like my work, I need to remember that someone else will and that if I do like my work, someone else may not. I need to take both compliments and criticisms with grace and always try to improve.

From story structures, I have learnt that characters in a story must learn something, otherwise they will be inert. The same applies to the storyteller, the designer must also learn something, I should continue to learn even after completing my studies. I will try to learn something from everything I do.

In conclusion:

• I will embrace the past, learn from my mistakes and appreciate the happy accidents in life.
• I will strive for equality for everyone support positive change through my work.
• I will not support: violence, prejudice or stereotyping.
• I will regularly step back from my work and look at it from another angle to keep it fresh.
• I will happily take on criticisms and compliments and try to improve on them.
• I will keep learning after I complete my studies. I will try to learn something from everything I do.
• I will look at other illustrators and both be inspired by them and do something completely different to them.
• I will make my own style and be nothing like others to stand out from the crowd.