Self-evaluation and reflection are an essential part to becoming a designer. The act of asking questions and reflecting on your experiences and acquired knowledge is something that ideally continues throughout your education and beyond.
The Design Document is a written and illustrated overview of your experiences that reflects on the whole course and your process for each project. While not meant as a mere step-by-step“report” of your process, do so in a reflective manner:
that examines what you did and why,
that notes experiments and failures,
that critically evaluates developments and results,
that speculates on what could improve results.
Possible questions to reflect on
What did you learn during individual projects?
Was there a specific skill you acquired while making?
What did you find challenging?
Which piece in your portfolio are you most proud of?
Going forward, what is one thing you know you need to work on?
How did your design studio research/visit affect your view of the practice of graphic design
Check-list
Include the following work/writing. The more comprehensive, the better.
Project 01: New/Updated Project
New or Updated Project images, mockups, etc.
Include creative brief, relevant images/work, process, before & after, etc.)
Project 02: Design Studio Research
Research studios and locations
Design Studio Survey
Design Studio Presentation
Project 03: Résumé
Final résumé
Can include process of how you got to final résumé
Project 04: Digital Portfolio
Final digital portfolio
Writings
In 1 Year: include this essay/letter
Conclusion: reflect on the quarter as a whole. How have your thoughts, practice, beliefs changed
Possible questions to reflect on
Check-list
Project 01: New/Updated Project
Project 02: Design Studio Research
Project 03: Résumé
Project 04: Digital Portfolio
Writings