As an art student, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of having a million ideas but not knowing where to start. When it’s time to start planning your university art projects, this can become an even bigger issue – after all, these projects likely make up a large part of your coursework. In this blog post, we’ll go through each of the three steps for planning your art project in detail so you can hit the ground running.
Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas
The first step is perhaps the most important one – getting all of those great ideas out of your head! If you’re struggling for inspiration, try thinking about the parameters of the project. What topics or mediums are you required (or allowed) to use?
From there, come up with 3-5 potential ideas that fit within those parameters. Think about things like the materials you’ll need, the equipment you might need and how you’ll present it.
Don’t worry if your ideas aren’t fully formed just yet – at this stage, it’s all about getting as many thoughts out there as possible. You can always narrow them down later. It can also be helpful to ask friends or family for their input at this stage. Two heads are better than one, after all, and sometimes someone who isn’t so close to the project can see it more clearly.
Step 2: Evaluate your ideas
Now you’ve brainstormed some potential project ideas, it’s time to sit down and really think about which one is going to work best. There are a few key factors you should consider when doing this:
How well does this idea fit within the project parameters?
Do I have enough time/resources to complete this project?
Would this be something my tutor would be interested in?
Is this an idea I’m passionate about?
It’s important to remember while you want your project to be something that interests and excites you, it also needs to be achievable. A good way to test this is by pitching your idea(s) to your tutor and seeing what they think – they may have some insightful suggestions or feedback that could help sway your decision one way or another.
Step 3: Plan what you’ll do and when
Once you’ve decided on an idea, it’s time for the final step: planning what you’ll do and when. This step is important not only to ensure that your project meets its deadlines but also to make sure that the process of creating your project is smooth and stress-free (or as stress-free as possible!). Here are a few tips for planning your project:
Create a timeline: breaking your project down into smaller tasks and assigning each task a due date will help keep you on track while also giving you a sense of accomplishment as you check each task off your list.
Make a mood board: collecting images, quotes, and other bits of inspiration related to your project in one place will help keep your mind focused on the overall goal. Not only that, but it can also provide valuable visual inspiration when you’re feeling stuck.
Take breaks: long hours spent staring at a blank canvas or screen can lead to creative blocks and burnout. Make sure to take regular breaks so you can come back refreshed and ready to continue working on your masterpiece!
Art project confidence
We hope that these three steps have given you a better idea of how to go about planning your next university art project. Remember, brainstorming is key, and evaluating your options carefully is essential, but most importantly…have fun with it! These projects are designed for you to showcase your creativity so let yourself loose and see what amazing things you can create.
And for more help with the materials you’ll need, check out our online Student Shop!