"Pieces of Me" Project Overview
In this project, we had to create a wooden puzzle piece using a jigsaw, cover it with a coat of primer, and then design it and paint it using symbols an images that represent our hopes for the future. These hopes could be through our week of Summer Bridge, our freshman year at High Tech High, or after our four years at High Tech High. This activity gave us a chance to express ourselves and our futures in a unique way. When everyone finished their puzzle piece, we attached them and formed a giant puzzle, which displays the fact that we differ from one another but are also connected in a unique way. I really liked using the jigsaw because I had never used a power tool before and it was definitely an exhilarating experience. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the painting process that much, and that was mostly because I had some intricate detail on my design that was hard to transfer over to my final product with brush in hand.
"Pieces of Me" Project Process
Step 1: The Construction
The sanding process was pretty simple, but my puzzle piece had a rough edge at the top that made it more difficult for me to have that smooth texture that it should have had.
The sanding process was pretty simple, but my puzzle piece had a rough edge at the top that made it more difficult for me to have that smooth texture that it should have had.
Step 2: Prime-Time
We covered our puzzle pieces with a coat of primer, which would help the paint stick to the wood and loose its transparency.
We covered our puzzle pieces with a coat of primer, which would help the paint stick to the wood and loose its transparency.
Step 3: The Original Draft
At this point we had to plan out our design on a piece of paper, and this is my first draft that represents my hopes and goals for the future.
At this point we had to plan out our design on a piece of paper, and this is my first draft that represents my hopes and goals for the future.
Step 4: Take 2
I really did not make any major changes for the second draft, so you'll notice it looks pretty similar to the first draft.
I really did not make any major changes for the second draft, so you'll notice it looks pretty similar to the first draft.
Step 5: The Sketch
Now that I had my design down on paper, I transferred it over to my primed puzzle piece.
Now that I had my design down on paper, I transferred it over to my primed puzzle piece.
Step 6: The Finale
With my sketched design done, I was ready to paint, and I think I executed my ideas in a professional manner to produce a quality final piece of artwork.
With my sketched design done, I was ready to paint, and I think I executed my ideas in a professional manner to produce a quality final piece of artwork.
"Pieces of Me" Project Artist Statement
My puzzle piece shows different values and items and activities that are important to me. One symbol that is represented on my puzzle piece is a star next to a basketball, and since I like the sport of basketball and I am also a high achiever, I connected this duo of symbols to the phrase, "shooting for the stars". After high school, my dream college would be Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, so I showed that goal with the signature Northwestern logo. The buildings next to the house on the bottom of the piece give the idea that I want to live in both the city and in a house once I secure a job. I also used the imagery of painting the knob of the puzzle piece black, because I wanted to show that there was an empty space in my future goals that I have yet to fill in. I sketched a tennis ball because I am passionate about the sport, and I placed a pencil by the star because I am a good writer. For my puzzle piece, I am most proud of the message I conveyed throughout the entire design, but I wish I would have been patient for about ten more seconds to finish the edge of my puzzle piece, because it turned out rough and lopsided. If I could do anything differently, I would have made my design a little more simple and straightforward so that when it came time to paint it would be easier. One thing that I have learned about project-based learning is that for a lot of projects you have to be precise. You have to make precise cuts on the wood to shape your puzzle piece, accurate sketches to prepare for your design, and a steady hand to paint between the lines. I feel like I am a compromiser when it comes to working with others, but I probably need to work on being okay with a role that doesn't involve much control over the project. I would want to keep in mind that project work is difficult because people have different learning styles and ways of being successful, so patience is key.