M4 Evaluation of Assessment Piece

The completed embroidered assessment piece for Module Four is a book structure based on the design topic of media.

How do you feel about the resulting conclusion?
I am pleased with the final book structure. I am glad I decided to push myself to do something a little different and found that the time spent on a small sample was very worthwhile because it enabled me to produce a larger piece of work with more success. In particular because this was a structure it allowed me to discover better methods of construction.

With this work I feel I made better choices and selected techniques in a more considered way. I was more comfortable with not using some techniques - I didn't try to fit everything in. I also found I was thinking more about what I have learnt across the course (and summer schools) as a whole and incorporating things in a more appropriate manner.

I enjoyed making paper far more than I thought I would, and using natural dyes and found objects from my locality means I feel far more connected with this piece than anything I have worked on so far.

Is it fit for purpose? - give reasons.
This is more of an art piece rather than a practical use piece. In terms of does it hold up as a structure, the construction has worked well and it is fairly solid. I ensured the found objects were very dry and therefore they should not affect the paper adversely in the future. The stitch held everything together well.

I wanted the 'book' panels to carry a message and this possibly would need explaining to those not local who do not know the history of the cockle boats. I toyed with the idea of writing more on each panel and possibly a series of structures with more panels would be a way of telling the story more fully.

If you were asked to make it again, what changes would you make to the way you designed it and the way you made it?
In general terms, I felt the design worked well because I got out and about to fill a sketchbook and this gave me lots of ideas which I felt more connected with. I would think about including a fuller story or message, maybe with a series of structures or a wall hanging of connected pages or a combination of both of these.

I could possibly include more stitch on each panel. I would make a larger stock of paper and maybe make a larger structure.  I would like to explore using the mud from the Estuary to colour hand made paper and for painting with - tip courtesy of Sian at summer school.