Year 2

So the first two terms are over now, Easter is in few days and I still haven't posted even one note on this blog. I feel really awful that I'm really far behind with my critical studies tasks... Although, the lack of entries was not caused by laziness! I was so busy with visual design and game production projects that I haven't had time to write anything... Especially that English is not my first language and it takes me extra time to write anything coherent and readable. But I'm aware of that it's not a valid excuse and I'm supposed to write posts just like everyone else on this course. So, now that I'm quite up to date with all my visual design and game production tasks I'll try to catch up with critical studies tasks over the Easter. 

In the first post I'm supposed to write about my plans for second year but since it is almost the third term I guess it's too late to make statements like 'I'll write at least one blog entry every week'... So instead of that I think it will be more appropriate if I write a bit about my experience of the second year so far and how different it's been from year one. And there's been some significant changes!

First of all the course have now new facility and it is really great! (despite the fact that it is twice as far from my bus stop than the old one :D ). Beside of obvious pros like new hardware and extra space we have now, the location of the building is just two minutes away from Tesco, which is an extra advantage. Especially when you're working in labs from early morning till late night, it can be really handy :)       

Along with new space our course acquired some new personnel, which is my favorite change from year one. All of these new tutors are great and nice people, and most of them worked in game industry before, which means that beside of knowledge they have relevant experience. Also more staff means that they've got more time for us (which I felt was an issue in the first year).

Another difference is the kind of tasks we've been given over this year. In the first year we would draw and model mostly from observation and real life references, whereas in this year most of tasks ware to come up with original ideas, design and draw/model something from our imaginations. And I really loved that as someone who aspire to become a concept artist, because that's hopefully something that I'm going to do for living in my future. 

One more thing that I really enjoyed this year, which we didn't have a chance to experience in the first year, was the group project. Even though it took a lot of time and many times along the way I had enough of it, but at the end I've learned a lot and what is most important it allowed me to experience industry based production pipeline.

There have been many more things that I've enjoyed this year but I'll write more about it in the last post this year, after third term.