Art foundation- how do I get a distinction?

I desperately need help! I have to get a distinction in my final major project to meet my conditional offers from unis, but at the moment I feel very stuck and my college tutors don't seem to be able to help me in the way I need.
Does anyone have any sketchbook examples/advice on how to get a distinction?
I'll do pretty much anything right now!

Im guessing you already have your idea (your statement of intent?) - honestly it really is partly volume of work and the records you keep.... show lots of research and idea development, experimentation etc.

Its hard to advise because it is so specific to your idea and your work.... show primary research as well as secondary - I did a series of video interviews with people on my concept - but this would be less relevent if your concept is all about, for instance, the materiality of painting.

Even if you have an amazing final piece, it wont be distinction worthy if you dont show your journey to that final piece, documenting your ideas, frustrations, changes etc. Keep a reflective journal (Ive done this in the form of a blog), as my work is mainly video based I dont have a sketchbook, I have sketch book video entries.

Oh - Im talking about Fine Art, feel less able to comment on other areas!

It wouldnt make sense for you to worry too much about what other people are doing - its unlikely to be relevent to your idea.

Wow, those sound like really good ideas! They're really helpful, thanks

And yeah, I chose Fine Art as my specialism My project is called 'Boundaries'. I came up with the idea after visiting this exhibition a while back called 'Lost in Lace'. On of the artists put forward the idea that lace creates a boundary, but at the same time it provides a form of sensory access to whatever is beyond the boundary because we can still see what is behind it.
I've been focusing on personal boundaries, but I just don't seem to be getting any ideas about final outcomes! I've done several experiments and looked at loads of artists, or at least it feels that way still, there is very little inside or out of my sketchbook =/

Are you doing a foundation course at the moment or have you already done yours?

Im still doing mine, in the middle of my final project - firmed Camberwell for September

Film, photograph or write about your experiments, it sounds like an interesting idea - you'll get to the final piece dont panic too much, Ive had to change direction a couple of times with my final piece.

My final piece should be a film projected onto a sculpture, my theme is all about freedom, 'yearning to breathe free'

Feel free to look at my blog... http://yearningtobreathe.blogspot.co.uk/ - Im on track for a distinction but am really lucky that UAL dont ask for more than a pass so Im not under as much pressure as you sound.

I looked up the lost in lce exhibition - it looked amazing! whats your interest painting, sculpture, film, performance??

Wow, I love your blog! That's a really good idea especially for photography! And well done for getting into Camberwell! You totally deserved it! =3

I really loved that exhibition, it really changed my views on what lace was and how it could be used to express a range of views and concepts.

I like creating spaces, so it's all 3D. I've been experimenting with thread a lot by wrapping it around objects with PVA glue, so I'm doing a lot with that and also laser cutting perspex. I haven't really got anything on the internet because I'm quite shy about showing my work to people, but I'm going to try and get some stuff up soon

If you like creating spaces you should look into Pipolotti Rist, I saw her exhibition 'Eyeball massage' and it was all about creating spaces that put the viewer in different positions and situations. Instead of just sitting in front of a screen you'd be surrounded by sound and film with big cushions everywhere to watch while lying down - or there was one piece where when you sat in the chair a film was projected into your lap - hard to explain, but really amazing.

Thank you you should just bite the bullet and put your work up, there will be a lot of doing that at uni. The good thing about the internet is I dont have to look at people looking at my work which I find even harder to deal with!

Theres such an interesting history to lace production in the UK and its uses in society, I can see why it would spark a lot of ideas.

Good luck, Im sure you'll do fine once you get past the dreaded block!

I suggest you use the words analysis in any assessments of your work you are doing eg "Having analysed my response to the brief..." that way you are telling them you are doing what is required for a distinction.

Thanks guys, this is EXACTLY where i am at also.

I totally agree with Mark - and this is exactly what i have been doing. After all they can't argue that you didnt, if you did the work.

I keep hearing my tutors say 'quality work speaks for its self' - put the hours and effort in i reckon and we'll do great

Good luck

A Distinction calls for research but also analysis, I suggest you use the words analysis in any assessments of your work you are doing eg "Having analysed my response to the brief..." that way you are telling them you are doing what is required for a distinction.

And as KED says show the journey and crit and analyse it. You might also want to look for the Syllabus for the course you are doing and look at the criteria for a Distinction - go for it!

Unfortunately, I felt like achieving a distinction was more about 'ticking boxes'. I did get a distinction myself but my project isn't something I'd be showing around to everyone, if you know what I mean. The way they mark it, is that they assess every element to your work individually. (I'm not sure you're aware of this, as I was told literally 2 weeks before my deadline) - so your sketchbook, reflective journal, information file, final piece, A2 presentation sheets and any additional materials are all assessed under 'fail / pass / merit / distinction', and that determines your final grade. However, it doesn't accumulate; say all your work was a 'distinction' but your sketchbook was a 'merit', you'd be graded an overall merit profile.
I'd say, from my experience, to focus a lot on your reflective journal and information file, as they seem to take precedence over anything else - it's the surest way to get a good grade, though you obviously shouldn't neglect other areas. I think it's where most people drop grades, though.