When you have completed the assignment, take some time to write a 750-word reflection about your experience of this unit as a whole so that your tutor can see it before you include it in your assessment submission. If it’s useful you could reflect using these questions as a starting point:
What does Graphic Design mean to me?
How did my creative approaches to graphic design develop over the course?
Did the use of creative strategies like mind maps and spider diagrams help the development of my ideas?
What do I feel and think about the processes of experimentation I have undertaken with a range of materials and technical approaches ?
How has looking at other creative practitioners’ drawing and design and reading about their work expanded my understanding of visual communications?
There is time between completing your final project and the assessment event to rework your coursework. You may want to revisit and improve on some of your earlier projects, or think about how best to re-organise your portfolio once you’ve received feedback from your tutor.
Remember to give yourself a final self-assessment check against the unit learning outcomes before you submit your work for assessment. Make adjustments if you think there are any areas you can strengthen.
Final Reflective Statement
Now that I have reached the end of this unit, I have had some time to pause and really think about everything I’ve learned, not just in terms of skills, but also in how I approach graphic design as a whole. This experience has shifted the way I see design, creativity and even myself as a designer.
What Graphic Design Means to Me Now
When I started, I thought graphic design was mostly about making things look good: clean layouts, strong visuals, good use of colour. But over time, I have come to understand that it’s so much more than that. Graphic design is a form of communication. It’s about telling stories, solving problems, and connecting with people. Every design choice, whether it’s the typeface I use, the composition, or even the materials, says something. Now, when I approach a project, I think first about what I want to say and then how I can say it visually. That shift in mindset has been one of the biggest takeaways for me.
How My Creative Process Evolved
Looking back, I can definitely see how my creative process has changed. At first, I would rush to the final idea, eager to start making something. But now, I’m more patient. I spend more time exploring and playing with different directions before committing to one.
I also started taking more creative risks. In the beginning, I stuck to what I knew, mostly digital tools and clean, minimal styles. But through the unit, I started mixing media more, experimenting with texture, collage, even going back to hand-drawing at times. It wasn’t always comfortable but it was worth it.
Using Mind Maps, Diagrams, and Other Creative Tools
I will be honest, at first, I did not like doing mind maps or spider diagrams. They felt like extra steps. But after a while, I started to see the value in them. They helped me slow down and really dig into the why behind my ideas. Laying things out visually gave me clarity and sometimes led me to unexpected concepts that I would not have found just by thinking in my head. They became part of my workflow, not just a requirement but a tool I actually used to build better ideas.
Experimentation and Working with Materials
Experimenting with materials was a huge part of this unit and one that really opened things up for me. I tried working with combining hand-drawn elements with digital ones. Some of it worked, some of it didn’t, but the process always taught me something. One of the most surprising things I learned was how imperfections can add personality and depth to a piece. Not everything needs to be polished or slick. Sometimes the rough edges or mistakes bring out the emotion or rawness of a message.
I have also become a lot more comfortable using programs like Illustrator and Photoshop in combination with physical materials. That hybrid way of working feels like a space I want to keep exploring.
Learning from Other Designers
Researching other designers was a major source of inspiration throughout the unit. Seeing how different creatives approach their work helped me understand how broad and expressive the field of graphic design can be. It’s not just about following trends or making something “cool”: it’s about having a voice. Learning about designers like Paula Scher or Saul Bass gave me insight into how powerful visual storytelling can be when it is driven by a clear idea and a strong sense of purpose. It also made me think more critically about my own work, asking myself what story I’m telling and who I’m telling it to.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
As I prepare my portfolio for assessment, I have taken time to look back over my earlier projects. It is clear to me now how much I have improved, not just technically but in how I think and reflect on my work. I’ve gone back and reworked some pieces with a better understanding of layout, hierarchy and how to make my message clearer. Getting feedback from my tutor was incredibly helpful and reorganising my portfolio has helped me tell a more cohesive story about my development.
Final Thoughts
This unit has pushed me to think more deeply, experiment more freely, and work more intentionally. I have learned that graphic design is not just about visuals, it’s about communication, emotion and connection. I am proud of the work I have done but even more excited about where I can go next. I know there is still a lot to learn but I feel more equipped now with better tools, better habits and a better sense of who I am as a designer.
Maryam: OCA Graphic Design 