The student did not provide sufficient evidence of conducting an in-depth and critical investigation in their portfolio, as they need to expand on their analysis of inspirations, particularly regarding Duncan Birmingham and Aya Takano. They should detail specific techniques and styles from these artists that influenced their work, such as Birmingham's paper engineering and Takano's color palette. However, the student did demonstrate an awareness of how their investigation impacted their practices and intentions, notably through their exploration of stained glass techniques inspired by Brian Clarke, which positively influenced their use of color and imagery. This reflection on their soldering techniques also indicates a thoughtful integration of research into their artistic process.