Written reflection
Defining myself in a single stroke feels something hard to do, given my belief in the fluidity of personal identity, because life is in constant flux. As a Creative Industries student, my essence goes along with creation. Whether experimenting with new recipes in my chef role or delving into digital art forms like collages and animations, each creative endeavour sparks a palpable thrill within me. It's the journey of creation itself that captivates me most, where mindfulness of my environment, inspirations, and collaborators enriches every project's essence.
Engaging in the project within the Freelance & Enterprise studios course provided me with an opportunity to enhance my collaborative skills by actively listening to my classmates. Additionally, it encouraged me to translate the ideas I had been pondering into tangible creations by putting them down on paper for the first time. This process not only fostered a deeper understanding of teamwork but also empowered me to explore and materialise concepts that had previously only existed in my thoughts.
Throughout this course, I gained insight into various career pathways, whether within companies, as freelancers, contractors, and more. Drawing from the personal experiences of my peers, I achieved valuable perspectives on project management, work methodologies, and creative strategies. Immersed in the firsthand experiences of my peers, I absorbed invaluable insights into project execution, perspectives, and strategies. The emphasis on exchange within our learning community underscored the vital role of shared knowledge. Personally, I grasped the significance of market positioning, portfolio development, and goal alignment, gaining clarity on how to navigate and achieve career objectives.
I'm pursuing a major in game design alongside minors in visual effects, animation, and digital media. Through this semester's courses, and those of previous semesters, I've come to realise that my passion and enjoyment lie more in the activities, learning experiences, and projects of my minors. The overall experience of the course has been enriching, yet I find myself still uncertain about the specific career path to pursue, particularly given my studies across various creative disciplines. While the breadth of the creative industries program was initially appealing, it also presents a challenge in homing in on a singular career direction. We're exposed to a diverse range of creative areas, which undoubtedly strengthens our skill set, but it can also create uncertainty when it comes to focusing our career objectives to be more specific. In the upcoming semesters, my goal is to elevate my academic performance to better align with my career objectives. I aim to gain clarity on the specific areas within my field that resonate with me, and to actively engage in creating more projects within those domains. This proactive approach will help me harness my potential and steer my career trajectory toward greater success.
I've come to realise the importance of detail and strategic organisation when it comes to crafting tools and opportunities for my career within creative industries. With this understanding in mind, I made the decision to embark on the development of a professional portfolio website. My goal is to use this platform to showcase my accumulated knowledge and skills acquired over a year and a half of university education. I'm focusing on presenting this information in a way that not only succinctly summarises my capabilities and journey, but also captivates the viewer by embodying the essence of what a compelling portfolio should look like.
Graziela Franca de Matos
fragy012@mymail.unisa.edu.au