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

Here are some examples of personal statements both good and bad.

http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=236&view=subject
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=1136&view=subject
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=978&view=subject
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=628&view=subject

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

preparing a portfolio

Here is a list of work i want to show in my portfolio.

http://jameskitcher2.blogspot.com/2010/10/shops.html
http://jameskitcher.blogspot.com/2010/09/final-outcome.html
http://jameskitcher.blogspot.com/2010/09/final-evaluation.html
http://jameskitcher.blogspot.com/2010/09/leopardoscerous.html
http://jameskitcher.blogspot.com/2010/09/hungry-hungry-hippozid.html
http://jameskitcher.blogspot.com/2010/09/underwater.html
http://icantvisualiseit.blogspot.com/2011/06/close-up-drawings.html
http://icantvisualiseit.blogspot.com/2011/05/dartmoor-game-project.html

The first link leads to little exercise involving photoshopping an image on a store front,  the next link is for a project about under water environments where i used photos of plane wrecks and an image of an ancient greek ruin to make a sunken city and the link below is an evaluation of it. The next link is for an experiment crossing a leopard with a rhino using the liquify tool and the link below is the same except using a lizard and a hippo.  The next link is for another experiment which was to make an underwater scene using photoshop and using photos of a garden and a plane wreck. the link below that is for close-ups of objects for a project about making a game involving dartmoor.

And this is what i can improve on.

http://jameskitcher2.blogspot.com/2011/01/preperation.html
http://jameskitcher2.blogspot.com/2010/11/snooker-balls.html

The first link leads to project about a possible redesign of a big brand name's website or logo. i decided on subway's website. i am quite pleased with the location the site is set in which is a train station. i am not pleased with the menu because of the layout and how messy it all looks. and   thing i like is the animated banner which shows moving subway cars and ending with a subway logo i made with flash. overall i think i could improve on the menus and the layout but i am pleased with the animated banner and the photos.

The second link is for an exercise on making a spherical object like a ball using photoshop. the first image is my attempt and below is the proper way of making one. i am happy with the shiny-ness of the ball. i am not happy with how the oval shapes are clearly visible which are used for a 3d effect, but i am happy with the illusion of smooth-ness overall. all in all i think i did a good job even it has a few imperfections.

Below are some portfolios i have researched on.

http://designforfun.com/

This website is a portfolio of work by a graphic designer called Ben Barry. He has done a fair bit of work for Facebook. I like his portfolio a lot because of its layout which consists of thumbnails that, when clicked on will link to a page with more images and an explanation of the project at hand. one thing i will say is that the background colour is grey which is quite a bland colour for a graphic designer to use for his website.

http://www.fullyillustrated.com/

The link above leads to the website of designer Michael Heald who does a lot of work for video game companys. The layout is very clean with a black background and a blue underline that flashes up when the mouse is hovering over the button or link. I like this alot because of how professional it looks. I also like that when you go to the portfolio link it allows you to go a specific parts of Michael's work such as his design work, illustration work, 3D and Motion work and so on. I find it hard for me to find fault in this portfolio but i will say that the artist doesn't really include much criticism in his descriptions but aside from that the site is very  well arranged.