Closing Statement

Since the midterm, I got a lot of work done because I decided to work how I know how to, which does not involve methods such as blogging (I never read blogs, so trying to do this blog was difficult and not helpful towards my project - when I stopped worrying about the blog, I was able to focus on my project and it bloomed), sketchbook, creating videos (which I also had never done before and also felt like a hindrance towards my project having to teach myself how to make videos) and collection of print outs in a binder. I have spent the last 4 years developing my method of working, so it would had been helpful for my project to be encouraged to work as I know how to, which is 90% on the computer in software such as Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Lumion. I felt like my project could had turned out better and possibly won if all semester I would had been directed to focus on the project and not have other assignments which did not seem relative to our project when the final product of the project is a board. The last semester is not the best time to try to heavily introduce new methods of working on a project. I would had like to had been pushed more in creating more finalized products instead of more time being spent on rough drafts then little significance put on finalized products, since the rough drafts are not presented in the final presentation. For the semester overall, it felt very inconsistent which was uncomfortable and not helpful towards our projects. The lack of structure and consistency in how studio time was being used seemed to be on a whim which is not acceptable, in my opinion.

My personal main goal for this semester was to make the best project I have and aim for winning at the end. I felt as if the studio was not being directed with that goal which was hindering for me. After midterms, seeing that other studios had real boards and finalized products made me nervous that our studio was behind. I believe I was correct in that assumption by the selected students to be put on display in Columbia, Everett and myself were that only ones of our studio that were selected. I do not believe that is because Everett and I were the only ones capable of being selected. I think it is because we worked after the midterm to our own drum beat and tried to follow what the other studios were doing instead of our own. That should not had been the outcome. I did not realize until afterwards how much I was paying attention to the other sections and trying to do what they were.

Also, another goal for this semester I had was to teach myself Revit to be prepared to work after graduation. I was unable to work on this goal while following the instructions of the studio, especially in the first half of the semester. I found this to be stressful. So, by after midterms, I was trying to finalize my project and learn Revit all at once. This also was definitely a hindrance to my project, but I knew I had to work in Revit to have a shot at winning. My prediction was correct because all three projects that won were done in Revit and they looked awesome.

I had high expectations for this semester and I feel let down. I am happy with my project, but only after I started working in my own way, which was mostly in Revit. I hope for future students this studio is ran differently. I am also overall let down in the undergraduate program for my class because it has felt all 4 years that we were just the lab rats and no one took our opinions seriously. I hope this trend is taken care of for future students because I know it impacted my peers in negative ways from changing majors, careers, and even having mental health issues - myself included. I do not feel well prepared to enter to workforce because of my degree. I am only prepared because of steps I have taken on my own due to having no other choice since that is not a true focus of the college. There are serious issues occurring that are not healthy for the students from drama between professors to not being taught legalistic knowledge such as current software that is used in the workforce - just because software has a turnover, does not mean that it should not be taught; that is a lazy excuse of the college. I hope that reform occurs in the undergraduate program from the entire college down to the intimate studios in order for all students to get the best education that they can while at Clemson because it is a great place to be.

Taylor E. Shank