REFLECTION ESSAY CHECKLIST

Introduction

☐  I have clearly stated the project, skill, or design I focused on. (e.g., "Modeling a Lamborghini in Maya").

☐  I have briefly mentioned why I chose this project or skill and its relevance to my interests or goals. (e.g., "I’ve always been passionate about car design, and this project allowed me to explore that interest through 3D modeling").

☐  I have explained why this project or skill is important to me on a personal level. (e.g., "Learning this skill brings me closer to my dream of exploring car design as a career").

☐  I have mentioned a main insight or initial lesson that I have learned from the project.  (e.g., "This project taught me that mastering even a single detail, like the curve of a fender, requires patience and precision").

Body

☐  I have  organized body paragraphs by specific aspects of the project. For example challenges, skills learned, and personal insights (e.g., one paragraph on learning new software techniques, another on overcoming challenges).

☐  I have described what I did in each part of the project, giving enough detail to help the reader understand the process. (e.g., "To create the front fender, I had to carefully adjust vertices and edges to capture the car's unique curves").

☐  I have mentioned specific tools, software, or methods I have used, and explain why they were important. (e.g., "I used Maya’s mirroring tool to ensure symmetry, but had to fine-tune vertices to get a seamless look").

Conclusion

☐  I have briefly summarized the main skills or insights I have gained from the project. (e.g., "This project taught me not only the technical aspects of 3D modeling but also the importance of patience and attention to detail").

☐  I have mentioned how working on this project contributed to my personal or academic development. (e.g., "Completing this project has given me more confidence to tackle complex design tasks").

☐  I have concluded with a final thought or reflection on the overall impact of the project. (e.g., "Looking back, this project was a stepping stone in discovering how much work goes into creating designs that not only look good but feel real").

Overall

☐  I have taken a break and then revised my reflection.

☐  I have checked for clarity, coherence, and logical flow between paragraphs.

☐  I have  corrected any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

☐  I have posted this reflection in my project journal.

Write a reflection which must include BLUE questions and could address any of the following questions.   Add date and put it under the project goal or associated mini goal.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Project Progress and Milestones

• What progress have I made toward the project goals so far?

• What major milestones or achievements have I reached?

• Are there any areas where I’m ahead of or behind schedule?

2. Challenges and Problem-Solving

• What challenges or obstacles have I encountered, and how have I approached solving them?

• Are there recurring issues or setbacks that I need to address differently?

3. Skills and Knowledge Gained

• What new skills or knowledge have I acquired through this project?

• How has my understanding of design or my specific project topic evolved?

4. Time Management and Productivity

• How effectively am I managing my time and resources?

• Are there specific tasks or aspects of the project that I am spending too much or too little time on?

5. Creative and Critical Thinking

• How have I demonstrated creativity in solving problems or generating ideas?

• How am I thinking critically about my work, evaluating my designs, or considering alternatives?

6. Next Steps and Goals

• What are my primary goals for the next phase of the project?

• Are there new approaches or adjustments I should try to improve my project’s progress?

7. Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

• What has been the most rewarding part of this project so far?

• How has working on this project impacted my confidence or interest in design?

REFLECTION ESSAY GUIDANCE

1. Understand the Purpose and Audience

• Know why you're writing this reflection. Is it for personal growth, academic assessment, or to express your insights? Tailor your tone and content accordingly.

2. Brainstorm and Outline

• Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts, emotions, and initial reactions. Ask yourself:

  • What happened?

  • Why was it important or impactful?

  • How did it make you feel?

  • What did you learn from it?

• Organize your thoughts into a loose outline. This will typically include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

3. Write the Introduction

• Open with a brief overview of the experience or topic you’re reflecting on.

• Consider including a “hook” to engage the reader, like an intriguing question, a vivid description, or a meaningful quote.

• Conclude the introduction with a thesis statement or main idea that summarizes the essence of your reflection.

4. Develop the Body Paragraphs

• In each paragraph, focus on a specific aspect of your experience or insight.

• Use descriptive language to recreate the experience for the reader and share your personal reactions and feelings.

• Analyze why the experience was meaningful, how it affected you, and what you learned from it.

5. Write the Conclusion

• Summarize the main insights or lessons you’ve discussed.

• Reflect on how the experience has impacted you, your perspectives, or your future actions.

• Leave the reader with a lasting thought, perhaps a question or a call to reflection in their own life.

6. Edit / Revise / Reflect / Refine

• After finishing your first draft, take a break, then return with fresh eyes for revisions.

• Check for clarity, coherence, and flow. Ensure each paragraph logically leads to the next.

• Correct any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

• Ensure that your tone is authentic and that the essay feels personal and reflective.

Following these steps will help you create a well-structured and meaningful reflection essay.

EXAMPLE REFLECTION

As I reach the halfway point in my final design project, which involves creating a 3D model of a car in Autodesk Maya, I’m reflecting on my progress and what I still want to improve. At the start, I was both excited and intimidated by the idea of modeling something as complex as a car, but I’ve made significant progress. So far, I’ve completed the basic shape of the car’s body and have started detailing the wheels, headlights, and grille. A big milestone for me was learning how to use Maya’s various modeling tools, especially the extrude and bevel functions, which have been crucial in shaping parts of the car with smooth and realistic edges.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been working with the different views and aligning all the parts correctly in 3D space. It’s been tricky making sure that each side of the car is symmetrical, especially when adding details like door handles and mirrors. I’ve also struggled with creating smooth curves on the body of the car; sometimes, the polygons look blocky, and it’s taken a lot of trial and error to make the surfaces appear smooth. To improve, I’ve been watching tutorials and getting feedback from my teacher, who suggested using specific smoothing techniques and adjusting edge loops to create a more polished look.

This project has really pushed me to be patient and precise, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about 3D modeling in general. I’ve gained confidence in using basic tools in Maya and have a much better understanding of how complex shapes are built in a 3D space. For the next phase, my main goals are to work on the interior details and add materials and textures to the model to make it look more realistic. I also plan to explore rendering options so that I can present the final model in a professional way. Overall, this project has been challenging but rewarding, and I’m excited to see how much more I can learn and improve before the year ends.