My action plan

My personal ambitions

My present ambition is to succeed in achieving a Diploma in Extended Interactive Media and Game Arts. I need to explore my option to study in Higher Education and discover which courses would best suit my area of interest. I would then like to complete a Foundation Degree.

By exploring these areas of study I feel I will discover a sense of direction and discover how I can apply my skills to employment.

Personal Goals: Immediate, Short and Medium term

I enjoy the subject of interactive media and game art and want to learn more about it. I enjoy the environment at the Plymouth College of Art, as it has a positive, calm atmosphere. Therefore I would like to continue my studies at a higher level at the College of Art.

I would also like to have more opportunity to mix socially with other students on my course and I look forward to this aspect of Higher Education. I am attending the Peer to Peer sessions on Mondays to help me make contact with other students.

My short term goal is to complete the Diploma course and gradually become more independent.

Next year I would like to be accepted on a Foundation Degree at the College of Art.

Personally I am looking forward to mastering the iphone with the new technology of an iportal, and I hope this will allow me to become more independent.

I intend to attend the open day at the College of Art and the University of Plymouth to find out information about the courses which I have investigated on line. I have written a personal statement which I would like my tutor to read and give me feedback on.  I will complete an application to UCAS before January 15^th 2012.

I would like to make contact with students who have completed the course I intend to go on next year. I also intend to talk to my peers on my present course to see what they are doing and if any intend to do the same course as me.

I would like the opportunity to look at the work completed by students on the foundation degree course to see how I need to improve my own work. I also feel I need to develop my skills and become a more confident, independent learner.

In three years time I would like to have completed a degree course. I intend to apply to UCAS and then to the College of Art for a place on a Foundation Degree course. If I have the necessary ability I would like to aspire to a  Degree course.

I will need to work hard and learn new skills and become more self- reliant in my approach to study, exploring my own areas of interest.

Achievements and Skills

I received an Arts Mark Award from Tor Bridge High School in 2010. I received 2 certificates from the Video Game design and Radio presentation courses from the Summer Mix project organised by the Plymouth City Council.

	Details of work experience (inc, place of work)	Dates
Work experience	None

	Task	Main sources of information	By when?
Career development actions	Identify chosen career opportunities in preferred industry	College Careers Service, www.connexions-direct.com www.prospects.ac.uk Newspapers, trade magazines, websites, Connexions service if under 20yrs old Careers Resource Area computer (using Pathfinder + HE)
	Find out about any further education or training required to develop your career further	College Careers Service, www.connexions-direct.com www.prospects.ac.uk Newspapers, trade magazines, websites, Connexions service if under 20yrs old www.ucas.ac.uk
	Identify suitable job vacancies	College Careers Service, www.connexions-direct.com www.prospects.ac.uk Newspapers, trade magazines, websites, Connexions service if under 20yrs old Recruitment agencies

Identify suitable job vacancies	College Careers Service, www.connexions-direct.com www.prospects.ac.uk Newspapers, trade magazines, websites, Connexions service if under 20yrs old Recruitment agencies
Produce a suitable Curriculum Vitae	Handouts, College Careers Service and Careers Resource Area, Course tutor
Practice completing applications for opportunities including work and UCAS and writing a cover letter	Course tutor, College Careers Service and Careers Resource Area www.ucas.ac.uk

Things I need to develop	How	By when?
Find information about foundation courses Learn to direct assistants in education	Attending open days

My covering letter

James Kitcher

4 Corsham Close, Birdcage Farm, Plymouth, PL6 6BU

Telephone: 01752 790617 Email: jameskitcher6@gmail.com

30 November 2011

Plymouth College of Art

Tailstock Place

Plymouth

PL4 8AT

Dear Mr Smith,

Re – Foundation Degree in Graphic Design

I would like to apply for a place on the Foundation Degree Course at Plymouth College of Art, commencing in September 2012. My present course is a Diploma in Interactive Game Art and Media, which I feel would give me a good skill base for the Foundation Degree Course.

I am a conscientious and dedicated worker and I always meet my deadlines. I enjoy college life and have a positive attitude to my work. My disability has made me creative in my approach to work and gives me a unique perspective in my areas of study. Although I have physical limitation I am developing skills in directing my own art projects.

I have skills in graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop. Illustrator and Flash, which I have used for creating animations and programing games using ActionScript 3.0. During a week long summer course I have also developed  some experience in game engines, such as Unity.

I have enclosed my CV and would welcome an opportunity to show you my portfolio and discuss the course further. I am happy to meet at a convenient time that suits you. Should you require any additional information prior to a meeting please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely

James Kitcher

My CV

CV

James Kitcher

4 Corsham Close, Birdcage farm, Plymouth, PL6 6BU

Telephone: 01752 790617 E-mail: jameskitcher6@gmail.com

Personal Profile: I am a polite and presentable young man. My disability has taught me to be resourceful in my approach to overcoming obstacles. I am a focused and dedicated individual who enjoys digital graphics and Flash. I have had a long standing passion for digital graphics and interactive media and I am determined to pursue this area of study to a higher level.

Skills/Capabilities: 

·       Knowledge in Adobe Flash CS5 and Photoshop

·       Working knowledge of Vector Graphics.

Qualifications:

·       2010 Advanced GCS  Art and Design                                                Grade E

·       2010 OCR Art and Design                                                                  Level 3

·       2010 Award in Creative Craft using Digital imaging                           Level 2

·       2008 GCSE Art and Design                                                                Grade B

·       2008 GCSE Science                                                                           Grade C

·       2008 Entry Level English                                                                     Level  2

·       2008 Entry Level Mathematics                                                            Level 2

·       2008 Entry Level Information and Communication Technology        Level 2

Experience:

·       I produced a public announcement poster in conjunction with the library.

Employment:

·       None to date.

Achievements:

·       2010  Arts Mark Award from Tor Bridge High School

·       2011  Video Game design course

·       2011 Radio Presentation course

Interests:

·       Active member of a community group involved in wheelchair sports and art.

·       All areas of animation.

References:

·       Available on request

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My personal statement

I have always had a keen interest in creating visual art and I believe my perspective as a disabled person is unique. In the field of computer generated art my disability doesn’t prevent me from developing my ideas freely. I see further study in my chosen field as liberating me to engage in my passion.

My particular area of interest has been in digital graphic design and animation. During my time at secondary school I discovered how to use computer software to create digital graphics; this opened a new avenue of interest and encouraged me to study art further. I started using Coral draw and photo paint, and then moved on to photo shop and flash animation. My interest grew massively during sixth form when I started to use a multitude of software, combining techniques to create a finished product. I developed an interest in other artists and became aware of their technical skills and creative ability.

When I was very young I had an immense fascination and interest in animation and films. Wallace and Gromit was the catalyst that immersed me in my own animation productions, using a USB camera with a Lego studio set. I developed a need for attention to detail, perfecting the practical aspect of producing animations from Lego. My fascination with animation continued by watching animations on the internet and learning more about the application of digital animation. This became increasingly important to me as my disability deprived me of my arm movement and I could no longer use clay and Lego in animation. Although initially frustrating, my disability has always made me open to new approaches and experiences.

During my formative years I was involved in the arts in one form or another. I was a member of Stagecoach and the school drama club, learning skills in communicating ideas to an audience. I later became involved in integrated dance workshops and performances. This involved the skills of collaboration with both profoundly disabled and able bodied peers. I believe that this has given me skills and insight into working with people of different abilities.

During the summer of last year I participated in the summer mix project organised by the Plymouth City Council, I completed the game design course. I gained skills in level design and produced a complete level in a game of my design. I was able to transfer my knowledge and skills in 3D design from this workshop to my present college course.

I also attended a radio production course, giving me insight into how hospital radio operates. I found radio a fascinating media especially for advertising. As part of a team we produced a radio programme, this involved research, collaboration and presentation within a time framework.

I have been inspired by Anthony Gormley’s   ‘The Field for the British Isles’ exhibition. I learnt how Antony Gormley directed his vision in his community based art projects, without actually taking part himself. I was able to see how as a disabled person I too could direct art projects and express by creativity.

Hearing Ian Livingstone speak at a recent Ex-play exhibition had a huge impact on me. Ian Livingstone’s story demonstrated how skills and having a good idea can be very successful. Ian Livingstone talked on the topic of ‘intellectual property’ and would like to learn more about this.

Even though I have physical limitation I see digital art and game design as an ideal medium to express my ideas and create a future carer for myself. I have a positive outlook and a willingness to commit and learn new concepts.

personal statement examples

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Action Plan

CHECK ACTION PLAN ON 14TH DECEMBER.
First thing to do on my action is to pass the second year of my course and get a good grade.

My skills in 3d max aren't up to par like the rest of the group but because most of me just starting it is to be expected, my skills in flash are above par. my skill in photoshop needs a bit more improving

presentation and comunication