YOMP/Xing

In week 4 we played the YOMP/Xing game. Basically it is a board game with a start (idea) and a finish (goal). The board is divided into three zones: "very soon", "soon" and "later". There are many cards of groups such as "people", "marketing" and "finance", which need to be evaluated and placed at their appropriate position in the timeline.

Due to the fact that there were 4 of us, every single card's place had to be negotiated. We started having real discussions. We decided to start a small webdesign business. 

To be honest, to see all these steps that need to be considered when opening a company are quite overwhelming. The game brings across that point quite well. However, since we do not have much background knowledge, I would not call it a very useful tool to learn business strategy.

I the following week we were given the chance to play the game again to see differences to the previous round. Unfortunately, we already had problems coming up with a good business idea. Finding a niche product seemed quite difficult.

In the end, we decided to open up a brothel. Though the idea was not taken that seriously, we worked through the game just as well as we did in the previous week. This time, however, some of the cards changed their meaning quite dramatically. Lawyers, for example, were no longer people who we would need to consult, but they became our goal as clients. Also, legal implications were treated completely differently. This definitely added a bit of fun to the so-called game.

Path - Kind of Presentation

I would like to find work in either Advertising, Design or the two of them combined. That is why I decided to present myself in an online portfolio with some of my work samples. Ideally, companies I apply at will have a look at my home page "www.easelly.com" and will decide whether I am suitable for their company. The portfolio should mainly include advertising work, personal projects and photography. All in all, it should look welcoming, have a straight-forward navigation and should not distract from its main purpose to show my work.

Mini-Show

Some students were given the chance to exhibit their pieces from last semester to the external examiner. Because the last presentation was quite a while ago already, we could value our work more objectively. Unfortunately, there were only three students in total, who were prepared to show their work.

I presented my "Three wise cows".

Artist Statement

Writing an artist statement is undoubtedly important in an artist’s career. It may help to classify the artists’ work, to apply at exhibitions and jobs, to tender for commissions, residencies and other forms of institutional support.

Writing a statement about your inspirations, influences and urges is challenging and takes time. You need to express that you know exactly what you are talking about. Try not to be one-sided. Thinking of positive words, that describe your art makes writing easier. The statement needs to be true and honest. Still, you need to make yourself stand out, look unique and passionate. At the end of the day, your career can heavily depend on it.

Thinking of the fact that artists have to write a statement about their work seems wrong in a way, too. If an artist is required to describe his work, the work will not be able to speak for itself. Therefore, the person looking at the art piece will be biased and will not be able to examine the art piece individually.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist's_statement

Expectation of the Module

I see Art Practice and Presentation as a module that can help me with my preparations for working in a creative environment after university. It will make us have to think about our individual professional future.

Support and suggestions in how to put together a valuable portfolio as well as in writing a job application will be granted. The importance of an online presence depending on the path chosen may be discussed, too.

Moreover, we probably study the necessary steps if you decide to become a freelancer or if you decide to build your own business.

We will be required to reflect on our own abilities and aims to find an appropriate niche for our work.