Working under continued lockdown

By this stage, the university and department have fully accepted that the closure of all campus facilities will continue until the end of the academic year. This is unsurprising, and in truth, at this stage, it would feel like more of a disruption and upheaval to have to move back into studio, as we have already adapted to this working-from-home scenario.

The main challenge, as anticipated, continues to be finding enough motivation, focus and work ethic. I had hoped that by now I would have fully adapted, but I'm unfortunately still really struggling with that. It does seem to come and go in phases to some extent, and having points of contact with tutors for video call tutorials does definitely help. I do feel annoyed with myself for not having achieved as much as I would otherwise have done over the last few weeks, but all I can do really is keep trying.

Aside from issues of focus and motivation stemming from the removal of studio culture, I have managed to adapt and work around some of the other potential issues. For example, I have been managed to carry out some physical modelling tests within my flat for my Technology study, which I am pleased about, and also managed to photograph models and film model-making processes as well. In studio, the lighting set-up is better, but I have managed to improvise with a lamp that I have, testing different positions for different photos. I have also managed to borrow a DSLR camera and a tripod, which has helped significantly, particularly for filming.

Examples of model photography and filming set-up in studio (above) compared with in my flat (below)

I've also managed to stack a lot of my models out of the way as best as possible, in any available spaces – on top of a bookshelf, on window sills, on top of the fridge... I discovered that some of the fabric formwork tests which I was storing in the DIY pull-out shelves in my wardrobe were not quite dry, but have now managed to dry them out on a rack made from a keyboard X-frame stand and some bamboo.

Fabric formwork tests drying out on a makeshift drying rack

Also, thankfully, the makeshift desk continues to be a success and is yet to collapse on me!