Mind Mapping

We were shown a power point presentation all about mind mapping, which was very interesting.  It's like a type of brainstorming, very useful for developing ideas, clarifying etc. 

I got a book out of the library 'Tony Buzan Mind Mapping' 'kick-start your creativity and transform your life' he claims to have developed the concept of mind mapping as a learning and memory tool.  It certainly is a very interesting starting point and one I think I will be using again and again over the next few years.  I will add more to this as I find out more; but for now here is an example:

Aah I've encountered a problem, the library computer isn't letting me upload any images at this time.....

So basically I have 4 images that I want to share here on this bog; but I will have to wait until I get home to upload them.  The first 2 are examples of mind maps that I found online.

The next is a photograph of an idea I had whilst doing the mind map and which I want to develop further.  And finally a photograph of the mind map that I created in response to the question 'Why are you here [on this course]?'





I'm back at home and it is now letting me add the images and they can be added anywhere in the text which is great to know for future efforts.  The only thing which was a slight pain was that all the images that I had saved and re sized and put on my 'U' drive are not accessible.  So I'm just having to redo that.  I will ask Lynne tomorrow if I'm doing something wrong as I want to learn!
Here is the next image as promised:

I could learn from this!

Something else that is now great to know is that as I learn more about mind maps I can very simply add to this particular blog, yeah! So it will grow as I learn.  Now to reload my 2 photo's and edit them a bit, well actually just re size them until I learn more.  

 Puzzle idea I had whilst making my mind map.

Why I Am Doing the Art and Design course map 1

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Beginners MISTAKE!

So I realised I made a mistake with my first blog post; but hey I'm learning/ I'm a beginner and that means I don't know it all!!! (or even hardly anything) and I'm really happy to be learning.  Just as Thomas Edison said he found 10,000 ways that didn't work before he found the one way that did finally work to make the incandescent light bulb and he didn't consider this a failure, neither will I (although I hope I get the hang of it quicker than that!).
This is my L2L blog so I'm not supposed to confuse it with a load of Core Visual studies stuff....I'm supposed to make 2 entries or more per week on L2L related subjects/teachings.

So what is L2L all about so far?  It means learning to learn and we are divided into 3 groups for it every Monday, there is a list of aims which I will include at the end of this personal stuff.  We have John Langan which is great as he is welcoming, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, caring, experienced and funny just the kind of person you want to be learning from really in my opinion.  I love this course already as it is so challenging and interesting.  I don't want to get too obsessed with all the information as I'm finding myself thinking about it all the time at the moment so I'll be looking to reach balance with it too.

We are the lovely

 group!

There is a reading list; but I can't find it so I will ask about this.

Usually we will get an essay for homework to be in the following week.  Check moodle everyday if possible for updates to this and any of the modules that I'm signed up to.

This week we have to research Mind Mapping...

We had a great discussion in our group about 'what is art?' and presented it in a mind map format, it looked a bit all over the place so one of the things is to try to get the mind maps to look visually pleasing, showing connections, direction etc, following a path.

My next blog entry will be on Mind Maps and I have been using my A3 sketchbook (a present from my brother) to do loads of sketches so I hope it works out! 

L2L

Description:

The aim of this module is to:

• Facilitate learner’s transition into third level education
• Reinforce and develop essential key academic skills relevant to Art and Design practice, which the learner will require in their studies and career.

Introduce the learner to the core elements of research methodologies relevant to Art and Design practice

Hi I'm started my blog at the beginning today with researching colour!  Apparently Sir Isaac Newton invented the first colour wheel back in the 17th century.  Of course colour existed long before this and is a seen as a very emotional 'element of art'.  We seem to have a natural and conditioned awareness of colour and I just know I'm going to enjoy researching more about this topic.
The above is an image of Johannes Itten's Color Star. 
Johannes Itten has long been considered the definitive colour theorist of the 2oth century.  His books on colour theory and application are standard throughout the world.  Such as The Art Of Color.  His ‘Colour Star’ helps designers explore a myriad of harmonious colour.  Consisting of eight stencil-like disks that can be placed over ltten's colour wheel to compare cool and warm values, complementary colours, and different hues and intensities.
It's very strange sitting in a dark computer room typing this, the only colour seems to come from the bright screens!  Lynne has been great showing me how to do all these things today...very sharp learning curve! thanks Lynne.  Now I will see if this works!