As the end of the school year is approaching, I would like to take time to reflect upon what I learned and how I've changed this past year. This past school year, I learned my strengths and weaknesses in Animation. I found that 3D modeling isn't the aspect of animation I want to go into. It was a tedious process and I struggled greatly in modeling my character. Rigging wasn't too bad, it was fun to do even though it took a while. I found it is motion graphics that I have the most potential in. My technical skills in timing are strong. All I need to do is learn how to create original and creative graphics to use. I learned how to manage my time and communicate more effectively. Also: don't bite off more than you can chew. It is also important to be passionate about your work. Passion allows you to work at the best of your ability.
To learn how to model and rig I mostly referred to tutorials on Youtube and on Lynda. There were some instances where I had my animation teacher help me, and there were other times that I figured out things on my own. So for motion graphics I used past knowledge of after effects and I had to use some tutorials to figure out new ways to animate text and to figure out how to preview a project with audio. Learning communication was tough for me. I consider myself a huge introvert. I don't talk all that much, but I managed to make myself feel more comfortable talking to those I don't know very well. FIRST Robotics has allowed me to learn how to communicate with my peers and my superiors in order to get work on time and in an effective manner. I also learned from the many mistakes I've made throughout the year. At times I was lacking in responsibility and knowledge, and I paid the price. I learned to save and backup frequently. SD cards should always be checked for content before deleting what's on them, and sometimes, searching up how to do something is better than figuring it out yourself.
All of the skills I have learned this year, even the technical skills, will allow me to grow as a person. I have learned so much about communication, time management, and leadership throughout the year that I can see the importance of these attributes in a career. I can begin to further develop my professional personality. I can see who I want to be and what I want to do. This year has started to a light a path to the future I want to see happen. I have to focus on refining the skills I enjoy doing in animation to ensure that my path for the future is bright.
My strengths in animation include rigging, timing, and actual animation/keyframing. One of my personal weaknesses is slowly becoming into a strength, leadership. My weaknesses include modeling and a good creative outlet. What I mean by a creative outlet is an ability to think outside the box to manipulate a project to turn out a certain way. I struggle with this. Also my knowledge of photoshop is rather basic... I improved my skills in After Effects just by being patient and taking the time to learn the tools and their functions. I improved my leadership and communication skills by forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone. I am trying to push myself to be more open, and I am trying to build the confidence to be a better communicator.
I will use these skills to create what I want to create, and to be who I want to be. I can use my rigging skills to help out other modelers by animating their models, and I can use my knowledge in After Effects to create new projects from 2D animation to special effects to motion graphics.
The leadership and communication skills I've learned will help me collaborate with others more efficiently and open up opportunities to expand my career in the future.
If there is anything I would change, it would be not spending as much time trying to get myself to like modeling as I did. I wanted to like modeling, but as much as I tired I would still find it tedious and annoying. I didn't have the patience for it. Modeling the man was a learning experience. I learned so much about modeling and human topology, but I also learned that modeling wasn't for me. I should've made a sooner transition into After Effects. I enjoy using After Effects. I am upset that I didn't get more time to use it. I don't own it, and since the school year is ending I won't be able to use it until next school year unless I buy it. Otherwise, there isn't anything I would change. This year went alright.
Overall, it was a decent year. I was disappointed in how some of my projects turned out such as the simple man I made, but I managed to make up for that by finding my interest in After Effects. I will continue to expand this new interest and hopefully become very proficient in After Effects, but I'll also continue to learn how to rig and animate 3D models so I can show future employers that I have knowledge in more than one area in animation. I feel like I made good use of my time, and I didn't really spend that much time doing nothing. I was almost always trying to learn or trying to come up with a new idea. Over the summer I hope to improve my skills in After Effects and motion graphics. I have been given the responsibility of making motion graphics for my school's basketball games next year, and that will be an interesting experience. I can't wait for next year and for what lies ahead.
