I am someone who normally prefers to work alone. However, this group project is allowing me to appreciate the value in bringing together multiple people in a creative process. In high school, I was always the single “creative” member of the group projects, so I often had free reign over all creative decisions. Going to a design school, everyone is creative so it is nice having multiple creative roles in a group. I enjoy how many more ideas and options are available because of all the different minds throwing out concepts. I like being able to receive constructive feedback on my ideas instead of being left to my own devices.
In the George Nelson reading, at the end it talks about how when you design something it not only enriches the viewer, but also the maker. This is due to the creative process behind the project. I connect with this statement because this project has been difficult for me. I’m not entirely sure why, but I think it was a combination of feeling uninspired, afraid of disappointing my group members, and also poor physical health. All of these factors lead me to question my decisions within the project and not be as confident, which is never a good thing. This experience of “failure” or a “down” wasn’t fun, but it taught me a lot about what I need to improve on within my process.
I think my role within this group is a maker/sketcher. Most of what I worked on was physically making something. However, I really enjoy organizing. I love delegating tasks… not necessarily coming up with an idea, but more putting in place a plan that everyone is content with. It stresses me out when I am unable to plan or fully understand what needs to happen in order to achieve a goal. When I am only working by myself, it is easy for me to organize what /I/ need to do, but when there are many people with their own agendas it is much more difficult.
