- Inspiration & Discovery Were there moments of inspiration or discovery for you? It could be an exhibition you’ve seen, the work of a peer, materials you experimented with, a studio crit or discussion, a particular process of working. Explain your answer.
There were many moments of discovery for me throughout this course. One of the key moments for me was our peer to peer assignment. I realized that as much as an introvert that I am, I love to listen to people talk about the things they like or things that they’re passionate about. I think as an architectural design major this will play a vital role because building things isn’t just about what I like it’s in the interest of numerous other people and I need to take that into account.
- Creativity & Play Have you learned new methods to spark your creativity? What are they? Have you learned something about your own creative responses, how to tap into them? What works best for you to feel creative and playful?
I haven’t necessarily learned new methods to spark my creativity, but I’ve altered the methods that I already have. I know that to spark my creativity I have to see examples of what the assignment is and I need to have less strict rules to abide by. In doing so I’m able to come up with almost endless amounts of ideas that I can play off of. To feel creative and playful I generally just relax, put on some music and let myself draw out what pops into my head, even if it’s not a finished Idea usually just having even the slightest concept turns into something incredibly creative.
- Process Consider the various phases in the process of making something, such as thinking, doodling, talking, observing, interviewing, reading, trying things out and going out on a limb, brainstorming, researching, sketching, critiquing, revising, being bored, frustrated, prototyping, etc. Consider the connection between making, thinking, reading, and writing. How has each of them affected you and your experience of creating something? What have you learned about doing research in relation to creating art or design?
The process of making something is one that involves a multitude of phases and steps. Using my sketchbook to make doodles and to brainstorm has let me get my thoughts out in an almost therapeutic way. In doing so I’ve been able to come up with multiple solutions to a problem and work out each one without having to exhaust myself putting in too much effort. Doing research has changed the way I think about designs because I can tell if something has been done before, how it’s been received, I can learn so much information regarding my subject that I’m able to alter what I’m creating to fit.
- Skills Explain how your problem solving skills have changed, if at all. What have you learned about your own willingness or resistance to solving design problems, whether technical or aesthetic.
My problem-solving skills have changed quite a bit. I’ve learned that I need to anticipate that there will be problems and not everything will run smoothly the first time around. I love being able to create drafts and prototypes to play around with and work out kinks before the final. Aesthetic wise when trying to solve a problem I don’t choose the easiest route because it’s often messy I go with what will look best and I work from there.
- Critique How has giving and receiving critique affected the way you work? What have you learned from doing studio critiques? In general, do you feel more critical, more ready to question assumptions? Explain your answer.
Doing cold critiques in class was a huge learning experience for me. It taught me that I must let my work speak for itself and not let it rely on an explanation coming from me. I feel more critical of others work now, not it a negative aspect, but I now know what to look for in work and what questions I must ask. Overall I’m more critical of my own work and as I’m working I ask questions that I assume will be asked in critique so I can alter my work in progress.
- Team work What have you learned (that you didn’t already know about yourself) about working in a group? Has this experience changed your attitude toward group work? Explain.
I think that being put in a group made me learn that I have to patient with people. I never take into account that someone else might work at a different pace than me, and this is why I usually work alone. When things weren’t done in a timely manner I would get upset and couldn’t fully comprehend why things were not complete. After this experience, I believe I would be better working with a group again but I’m not sure I would voluntarily do it.
7. Moving Forward If it were entirely up to you, what project or type of project would you want to be doing next? Try to describe everything that would be involved — the kind of research that might be required, the work you’d want to
