The Arts Institute at Bournemouth
Learning Agreement

Name: Jemma Rowe
Course: BA Modelmaking for Design and Media Level: 6
Unit: Extended Major Project
Reference Number: MDM301
Credit points: 60
Study Hours: 450 hours
Tutor(s): Paul Johnson, Claire Holman, Will Strange

Aims:
A1 To provide you with the opportunities to exercise and enhance your knowledge and abilities in the development of a body of creative and technically competent work appropriate to your course aims and criteria at level 6.
A2 To provide opportunities for you to learn from the increased complexity and rigour of creative production required for this unit.
A3 To encourage you to apply the advanced level of discipline and time management which are required during the unit.
A4 To encourage you to work independently, albeit with supervision, in the development of your work, in a way which reflects contemporary professional practice. You are also encouraged to work effectively as a team member where this is demanded by your project or subject specialism.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate the ability to rigorously apply specialist knowledge, understanding and creativity in the production of your major project.
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to manage the complexity of practice demanded by the major project.
LO3 Demonstrate an enhanced level of discipline and ability in time management.
LO4 work independently or within a team in the development and execution of your work, reflecting best contemporary practice.

Synopsis of Study:
I intend to split the extended major project into two projects. My main aims for these projects are to fill some remaining gaps in my modelmaking knowledge and to demonstrate a broad range of skills which will be apparent to future employers.
My first project will be a product model of a fountain pen. This project will be the larger of the two as it will require a good deal of machining work. However I would also like to incorporate some sculpting elements into this piece. I intend to select through research an ornate pen design which will allow me to mix a number of different skill areas together in one project. A possible strategy for making this model so as to ensure completion by the deadline would be to make the basic pen shape first and to develop the ornate coverings as time allows. I am hoping that in this way I can keep the work to a manageable quantity and allow myself some flexibility in how the project develops.
I am currently undecided on how this model will be made but it may be a good opportunity to experiment with resins and metal powders as well as different paint effects as I will need to work out how to create a realistic metal effect for the pen nib and various other details. As far as machining goes this project holds some potential challenges. Its organic shapes mean I can continue improving my skills and experience on machines such as the mill and lathe.
For the second part of the unit I would like to make a museum interactive. The chosen topic will be life on the shoreline. I would like to create a static model of a rock pool or an area of shore line on which I can display how invertebrates live in their environment.
The layout is likely to incorporate areas both above and below ground level. This project will have a larger quantity of design work involved and its development will be recorded in my sketchbook.
In contrast to the pen project this is much more sculptural and less machine orientated, and I am hoping that it will give me an opportunity to experiment with moulding and casting for the first time. This is an important part of modelmaking which I have not yet learned about and I feel it is important that I acquire these skills before the end of the course. It will also give me a chance to look more into painting effects and how they can be used to help create detailed, realistic looking objects.
There is great potential for personal development and learning in this project as it provides lots of opportunities to work with new materials and to acquire knowledge in previously untouched areas.

Assessment Requirements:
A sketchbook containing relevant research and design work as well as documentation of the projects progress.
A completed product model and a completed museum interactive. 100%

Assessment Criteria:
Evidence of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues - Specialist theoretical issues are evident in the conceptual intent of the work (LO1)
Evidence of knowledge of technical processes – Specialist technical processes are confirmed within creative practice (LO1)
Evidence of understanding through critical evaluation and reflection – Informing the development and management of the project (LO2)
Evidence of realisation through the communication of ideas – The communication and presentation of ideas reflects best contemporary practice (LO4)
Evidence of realisation through the application of technical knowledge and skills – The application of specialist skills and processes reflects best contemporary practice (LO1, LO3)

Transferable skills:
Managing Self
Professional Skills
Team Working

Reference Material:
Library resources – books, journals
Internet Research
Personal photographic reference from site area