Parsons Marks the Spot
Our goal for this project was to create a map using all of our memories and paths to Parsons. Though we come from different backgrounds, our similar interests, obstacles, and accomplishments link our paths together, ultimately leading us to and uniting at Parsons. Some constraints included finding times that were suitable for all members to meet up. There were also some difficulties in coming up with an idea we were all in favor for. We had two weeks to finish this project.
Role With It
- I made a simple web diagram to plan out where each path would lead to and whose paths needed to connect.
- This was the final web diagram layout that guided us in creating the map.
- I drew my own starting point and some of the legends/symbols on the map.
- To give our treasure map the distressed look, my groupmate Niha and I burnt the edges of our paper.
One of my main contributions to the map was the general layout. I had the task of planning out how each person’s path would start, end, and intersect with another. To do so, I made a simple diagram in order for my groupmates and I to visualize and get an idea of how each path would look like, and how the layout of the map as a whole would be.
Aside from this, I helped my groupmate Jane with majority of the map’s illustrations. We simply took it upon ourselves to create symbols for each of the destinations/legends on the map. Despite our own drawing styles, our map still looked cohesive. Jane and I worked efficiently together, not experiencing any problems of someone illustrating more than the other. We were a natural work duo.
In addition, I worked on distressing the map with my groupmate Niha. Since we wanted to create a treasure map, it was only fitting to actually make it look like one, as if it had been used through hell and back. With this in mind, we thought of burning the edges of our map’s paper.
The Work
- Everyone helped with coloring in the illustrations.
- Maintaining her focus, Niha draws her starting point on the map.
- This is the finished product.
SHIFT
Frankly, many shifts occurred during the making process of the map, especially when it came to brainstorming. We would find ourselves throwing out ideas, and had one person trying to build up on an idea and not seeming to get the others on board, or had two people in the group in favor of an idea and the other two in favor of another. Due to the endless possibilities brought by the project’s prompt, it was hard to settle on just one idea as all ideas being brought up were good. However, after more discussion, adjustments were made in order to incorporate everyone’s ideas and finally reach a consensus.
This project and its making process influenced me in such a way that my open-mindedness was tested. I can confidently say that I am an open-minded person, so hearing all the ideas being shared by each of my groupmates really stimulated me. What tested this trait of mine was trying to get everyone to see eye-to-eye with another, as that was an issue we kept experiencing while brainstorming.
With this, I learned that sacrifices must be made in order to reach a certain goal. Though we may find ourselves favoring a certain method for executing a task, compromises must be made in order to satisfy both the executors’ and the audience’s expectations. I learned the importance of communication within a group and how it impacts the ultimate outcome.
What I Would Have Done Differently
Something I think that could have been executed differently would be making the paths more cohesive and orderly. The paths were done by different people, but if we managed to have the drawings look cohesive, despite being done by different people as well, then I believe it was possible to do that with the paths. I also wish we distressed the map more to give it more detail and character to make it seem as if it were actually used on a journey.
