Week 23

I made it into university at the beginning of the week in order to present our PCC2 Powerpoint Presentation.  The fact that I didn't want to let Vasso down was my main motivating factor in coming in and although it was a struggle I was relieved to be able to complete the task at last.

I didn't feel nervous about presenting, as it was a small audience and very informal, but was not looking forward to it due to the fact that I felt the contents of the presentation were not of a particularly high standard.  In the end it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated and I agreed with the bulk of the feedback we were given:

• there were far too many images  - we had put too much focus on the visual aspect and not enough on the explanations and reasons behind the collaboration and/or images of pieces
• there were far too many slides and as a result we flicked through them too fast, allowing the audience little or no time to appreciate them - mulitple images should have been placed on one slide
• the video clips had not worked - this was a blessing however as this required us to explain in our own words what the video was about and thus provide more of an understanding behind the collaboration
• the presentation ran over the 10 minutes alloted - just as well then that the video didn't work as this would added another 4 minutes at least

I found the challenge of presenting empowering and although still disappointed with the standard of the contents of presentation I was pleased to have been able to see the task through to the end.

I had booked the laser cutter again on Friday and was able at last to engrave the bark pattern I had tried to use a couple of weeks ago.  I was pleased with the result although I hadn't realised how time-consuming the engraving process would be - I was only able complete a fraction of what I had planned.  The bark pattern was very intricate which was part of the problem - more detail equals more time.  Plus nearly half of my allotted time was taken up by engraving onto white acrylic, for which the result achieved was hardly visible and seemed a waste of time (I'll try and bring out the detail by rubbing a coloured substance, eg. shoes polish, into the grooves).  I was pleased with the result achieved with the plywood and the white vinyl especially.  I had hoped to be able to cut some of the shapes out of the engraving but realised too late that I was using the CMYK and not the RGB red colour and the laser cutter would not recognise this.  Would like to try this next time.