Professional Orientation (Design) Reflection

Reflecting on this unit, I’ve found it to be both reaffirming and slightly underwhelming given my prior experience. Having worked in a professional environment for the past four years, particularly at an Indigenous-owned company where I was responsible for designing the company website and collaborating with another organisation to bring it to life, I already had a solid foundation in professional conduct and project management. Additionally, having completed a diploma at the University of Canberra, where I took a unit focused on professional orientation in IT, much of the content felt familiar.

However, I did gain value from exploring these concepts specifically in the context of design. It was interesting to see how professional standards and ethical practices translate when applied to creative projects. I also appreciated learning more about communicating design ideas effectively, as this is something I can apply directly to future collaborative work.

One challenge I faced was maintaining motivation when covering familiar topics. To improve my outcomes next semester, I plan to focus on more practical applications of theory, seeking out opportunities to expand my technical skills rather than just revisiting professional standards.

Looking ahead, I hope to build on the more creative aspects of this unit, like refining my presentation skills and incorporating feedback effectively. I also want to continue honing my ability to critically evaluate my own work, as this will be essential when moving into more advanced design projects in future units.