CRITICAL REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Week 1.1 – 22nd January. 2021
Time Management and Agile Development
We are first introduced to the two System Development Life Cycle methodologies, to allow us to understand time management and how to apply it through the Masters part time course, when working individually or collaborating with our teams on projects, otherwise know as Jams.
Waterfall Method
- Plan – Define – Design – Build – Test – Deploy – Maintain
Although the Waterfall method is continuous, one key step that is missing is reflection. Without reflecting on your work, how will you ever know if there is something you could of improved on, or if you intended on making another version eg. a game, you would need to make a note of what worked and what didn’t and more importantly why certain elements was a success and what should be removed.
Scrum Agile Framework
This method has 12 points to it, which is more fluid, especially having more customer engagement, communication and reflection.
I cannot apply either of these methods to any of the jobs that I have had in the past, however I can say that I would prefer working with the Scrum structure put in place.
Gathering together to make a plan in a group, then each assigned individual tasks from a backlog of work to be completed within a set time, would be more straight forward if businesses put this method in place.
Tasks would be more simple, communication would be improved, and everything in general would be much more productive. Working as one is much more enjoyable to, as it creates a great positive environment.
Working together as one can create something more powerful. Listening to each other is the key to great creations.
“We must be both open – minded and practical – good ideas can come from anywhere, but they are only good for us if they help us create better experiences.”
(Schell 2020: 15)
Schell, allows us to understand how to connect with one another psychologically. Listening deeply is part of the design process, not just to others, but to yourself. By doing so, you can evaluate your own experiences, and you can use that information to make your own judgement.
As Fook would say, analysing these experiences is how we, “learn directly from professional practice experience”, which allows us to develop our process with far more clarity, and know what direction to start with.
(Fook and Gardner 2007: 51)
Alternative Methods
We had been asked to research into other ways of working, with different techniques that are being put in place, and if we could relate them to our individual practices. For me, after looking into the Waterfall method and Scrum Agile Framework, I couldn’t see any any link between them.
However I have found one method that I can identify with, by how I am working currently to put my research of animation into action, with a successful outcome.
Kanban – This is not considered as an agile method, but the underlying issue is that you must; focus on what you are stuck on, and don’t try and learn something brand new until the first thing has been accomplished.
“The motto is: work on your problems first before going on to new work.”
(Leopold 2015: 20)
The Kanban method focuses on workflow, if any problems arise during production, it is brought to their attention straight away, and is dealt with.
To keep there clients happy, they only make a commitment to a goal that will be achieved, in order to build trust with them. But if for any reason they cannot reach the goal, they re look at their approach with the Kanban system over all.
Using this approach, my goal is to animate my book character Ralphy, I think this is an achievable goal, and I am looking forward to developing my knowledge of character animation.
If I am to start putting this new method into action, I will continue from what I have learnt so far from my personal development – see below.
- Watched a Linkedin Learning course; How to make a 2d character move; 2D animation principles, with Dermot O‘ Conner.
- Watched and practiced with Unity – completed an in-depth tutorial on Youtube with Jason Weimann – How to Make a Game – Unity Beginner Tutorial, and put into practice. (For more details please go to my home page).
Week 1.2 – 23rd January. 2021
Creative Activity – Custom Avatar
- The Puzzle – A jigsaw puzzle I started with my mum, and discovered the artist was an Illustrator. I did have an image in my head that illustrators, just did pen and ink, black and white drawings. But that is not the case. I looked up illustration courses took my first Children’s Book Illustration course from there.
- Small Wacom Tablet – The first thing I bought to start my Digital Illustration course still studying with London Art College at this point. This kept me going, whilst writing and Illustrating my Children’s books.
- iPad and Playstation control – Placed side by side, to show they are equal, and that I do just as much gaming on Playstation, as I do my iPad.
- Mug of Tea and Bueno – With out these two, whilst drawing, or studying…I can’t focus!
- Gloves – Rested on top of my mug to show the Huion pen computer is what I currently use. It really is amazing and through the whole journey when illustrating my Children’s books, was my dogs.
- Storm and Sky – My little friends, very supportive of my work.
I have to say this activity was so much fun to take part in, especially for a gradual introduction to each other, and understanding what we each enjoy. I thought this was a great way to speak to each other for the first time.
References
FOOK, Jan and Fiona GARDNER. 2007. Practising Critical Reflection : A Resource Handbook. Maidenhead : McGraw-Hill Education
LEOPOLD, Klaus and Siegfried KALTENCKER. 2015. Kanban Change Leadership : Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
O’ CONNER, Dermot. 2014. ‘Linkedin Learning’ Learning 2D Animation Principles. Available at : https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-2d-animation-principles?u=56738929 [accessed 18/02/21].
SCHELL, Jesse. 2020. The Art of Game Design; A Book of Lenses. 3rd edn. Tailor & Francis Group.
WEIMANN, Jason. 2020. How to Make a Game – Unity Beginner Tutorial. Available at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR0e-1UBEOU [accessed 10/12/20]
Full List of Figures
Figure 1 : Norton 2016 First Digital Illustration
Figure 2: Norton 2021 Custom Avatar
RALPHY GETS ANIMATED..? 