Here is my skills audit which I produced on Illustrator. The aim of this task was to analyse the skills I have developed so far and look at areas which I need to improve upon. I looked at my blog to see how I could lay it out and what colours I could use. Because my blog uses a peachy colour I decided to draw boxes out this colour and use black stars for the ratings. I find I have good timekeeping skills and I believe my attendance is excellent. However my presentation skills need improving on because I find it hard to present my work to audiences due to nerves. I rated my group work and Photoshop skills 5 stars because I feel when working as a team I listen to others’ ideas and talk about my ideas. Also because most of my college work was done in Photoshop and it is the main software I have used since I became interested in Graphic Design, I believe this is where my strengths lie. My Illustrator and InDesign skills I rated 3 and 4. This was because, although I feel I am quite confident using these design softwares, I don’t think I am as strong as I am with Photoshop. My craft mock-up skills aren’t very good as I have never done this type of thing before. However I know the concept of it and I feel as soon as I get to know how to do it I will master it.
I really enjoyed this task as I felt quite pressured to work quickly but at the same time keep my work neat and to a high standard. This task has helped me identify my strengths and look at gaps I need to improve on.
Above is an updated version of my skills audit. I have looked at where I think my skills lie now compared to what they was before I did this module. I have improved on my presentations skills as I have practiced in other modules and I feel I am becoming more confident and getting used to them. My Illustrator skills have been improved as I believe I have been introduced to new tools and practiced with them which has made me more familiar with the software. My InDesign skills and craft mock-up skills have also been improved as InDesign is another computer software which I haven’t done much on. However during this module I have done quite a bit on InDesign. My craft mock-up skills have been enhanced due to using a scalpel for the first time which has been a struggle at times. Also physically mocking up a design is something I have never done so this was new to me which I believe I have done really well with.
Nicola Murphy 