Classes ended this week at Wellesley College, where I taught Basic Two-Dimensional Design this past semester. At the end of the semester, I ask the students to fill out a final self-critique form which allows them the opportunity to stop and reflect upon their progress and development during the class. I’m continually surprised and inspired by their comments every semester despite the fact that the critique form has remained the same. Below are some excerpts.
I usually like to follow the rules and stay between the lines, but in this case I personally feel like I totally went haywire and allowed myself to go crazy.
You can’t rush art,and you never know how your project will actually end up.
I am now more likely to think about how a piece of art was made and what decisions went into doing so.
The end product of the final project was quite different from my initial sketch, but I like what resulted out of the process.
I have learned that what you think a project is going to be at the start is NEVER what it is going to be when it’s finished. But also, that this is a good thing.
I have learned that no plan is guaranteed.
I learned that we can be inspired by mistakes and accidents, and also from our peers.
Even if you’re not good at it (visual art), if you have a passion for it and are willing to work hard at it, you can make it work for you in the end.
Clara Lieu 