Last Day

Yesterday was our last day in our first placement of work experience. So it was my last day working in the design studio at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks. I enjoyed my experience there so much and I learned so much about the workplace and about myself.
   I learned a lot of new skills. I learned how to use different forms of technology and different computer programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and In Design. I had never used any of these programs before but I soon got the hang of them and I like to think that by the end I could use them properly and that I could produce good work using them.
  I am sad to leave the museum. I will miss working there and the people I had become good friends with. However I will take it as a positive learning experience one which I am sure I will benefit from.


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A new view

The other day during work experience I had a break from the design studio as I was brought behind the scenes of the conservative laboratory. This is where they fix and clean artefacts that are going on display in the museum and where they conserve and preserve objects going into storage.
    It was really interesting and I learned a lot. The best thing was I got to examine the bog bodies that have been found in the bogs of Ireland over the past few years. It was really cool to see them even though they looked really disgusting. I really enjoyed this aspect of the museum.

Normality!

Yesterday was day four of work experience at the museum and by now the other people who work their are used to me being there every Wednesday as am I.
     I am used to the journey and all I have to do. It is really going quickly as it seems each week is building up to Wednesday!
   Yesterday I finished my first project!! I was really happy with how it turned out. However I was straight back into working as the designing of the display opening next Tuesday was being done. Everyone was working hard to meet the deadline.
   The display is very interesting. A journalist has been writing about 90 different items that make up what Ireland is. He has to choose just 10 more and loads of items are going on display in the museum and people get to chose which are the final 10 items that make up Ireland!! The kind of items that are on display are an Irish dancing dress from Riverdance to represent our culture, a communion dress to represent our religion, a porch heater to represent the Celtic tiger and loads more !!

Here we go Again

Third day of work experience was yesterday and it's becoming routine at this stage thankfully. I still dread getting up early and the journey to and from work is still a pain but in the museum I am getting used to the computer programs and the people. Wednesdays come around very quickly and I am sure before I know it work experience at the museum will be over
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Day 2 XD

Day 2 of work experience was a lot less daunting then the first day. The bus journey was just as long and packed but I wasn't as nervous so it wasn't as bad.
    Arriving at the museum John showed me how to use Photoshop, the program they use to tidy up images in magazines, posters etc. I had fun tidying up some of the pictures he gave to me. Making old pictures look neat and less damaged took time but the result was excellent !!
    Also the museum got in new pistols that were made in Dublin years ago. It was interesting to see the old pistols that looked like they had come from a pirates of the Carribean movie !!
    At the end of the day I wasn't as worn out I was excited about going back the next Wednesday !!

First Day Of Work!!

Yesterday was the first of many Wednesdays that we will be going on work experience. Waking up at 7am I was (tired yeah) but excited for my first day of work experience.
    As I stood waiting, in the cold for the bus to come I realised just how many many people use public transport in the morning to get to work. Before the bus had even left Celbridge it was vacuum packed with people. Luckily I got a seat. And as the bus continued on to town more and more work people got on and very few got off. The bus seemed to be getting smaller as more and more people flooded into the already full bus. However once we reached town people began to get off and I am happy to say I got out alive!!
       Walking in the rain to the Collin's Barracks to reach the "National Museum of Ireland", I was nervous of what was going to happen and wondering if I was going the right way! When I arrived in the museum asked for my supervisor and waited for him to come.
       He arrived soon and we set off to the design studio. Up what seemed like a hundred flights of stairs we  arrived. I met the other workers and was shown to my desk and my MAC computer. John showed me how to use "Illustrator", a design programme on the computer. Is spent a couple of hours getting used to doodling and designing on the computer ( with a tea break in between of course!). Everyone thought I was in university and couldn't believe it when I told them I was only in TY
      After this I went to meet the head of security who went through the rules of the museum and told me what to do in case of an accident or emergency. He took my picture (a rather bad one as well) and I received my identity swipe card. I was officially a member of the museum staff.
      Then I had lunch with my fellow workers. They were very nice and welcomed me with open arms. After this I continued my designing on the computer.
      Before long it was half 4, home time. The day had flown by! Luckily getting the bus home I arrived at the stop just as the bus did (: ......however the bus was once again vacuum packed and I was left standing all the way home. Once I was home I realised just had tired I was...so very tired.
    My first day of work had been successful and I can't wait to go back again next Wednesday!!