This year at DMUIC has been one of the most challenging periods of my academic journey. When I first started the course, I knew it would push me to improve my creative skills, but I did not expect the workload, deadlines, and personal pressures to overlap so heavily. From the first term to the third, I struggled to balance multiple projects at the same time while also dealing with problems outside of university. Managing these challenges often affected both my motivation and my performance.
One of my main goals this year was to improve my drawing skills, especially in character design. I spent a lot of time trying to develop characters with clear personalities, stories, and visual details. At first, this was very confusing because I did not fully understand how to connect ideas, themes, and designs into one complete project. Even though I improved slowly, I still found it difficult to create large, detailed drawings for big briefs. Sometimes, after completing a project, I felt satisfied with my work, but the final mark did not reflect the effort I put in. This made me feel discouraged, but it also made me think about what I need to work on more seriously.
Throughout the year, I discovered that I am actually stronger in practical, hands-on work such as building small 3D models and making masks. These tasks felt more natural to me compared to long drawing projects. Because of this, I began exploring digital drawing tools and simple 3D techniques. Mixing 2D and 3D elements in my projects helped me understand that my creativity is not limited to only drawing on paper. Learning how to scan sketches, edit them digitally, and design characters using a combination of methods was an important part of my development.
Even though this year was mentally and academically difficult, it taught me several valuable skills. I learned how to use digital software more confidently, how to build characters with a clearer concept, and how to experiment with different techniques. I also learned more about myself, what I am good at, what I need to improve, and how I work under pressure. These lessons are just as important as the practical skills, because they will guide me in my future studies.
When I reflect on the entire year at DMUIC, I can see that it helped prepare me for undergraduate study, even if the process was not easy. I now understand that time management is something I must improve. I also need to keep practising drawing while continuing to develop my strengths in 3D and digital work. This combination will help me build stronger visual stories and more meaningful characters.
As I look toward the future, I feel more aware of what I want to achieve at university. I want to participate in bigger projects, refine my style, and stay motivated even when things become difficult. My goal is to keep improving step by step, understand the creative industry better, and find a clear direction for my artistic career. Although this year was tough, it gave me experience, resilience, and a realistic understanding of what I need to do next.
I am looking forward to starting university with a fresh mindset, new motivation, and a better sense of who I am as an artist. My hope is to grow, explore different creative approaches, and finally feel confident in the work I produce. :(
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