Week 09 - Collaboration

Class Format

Todays class looked at the advantages and disadvantages of making comparisons.

Group Exercise

Discussion - Reflection

Discuss these questions in relation to a group creating a design in collaboration;

1. What is the difference between reflection and criticism?
   - Both enter into a discourse about the given topic. Reflection has positive connotations and I would say is more introspective. Criticism carries a negative implication and implies an external source.
2. Can you reflect while you are designing?
   - Yes and it is important to do so.
3. Do you set aside time for reflection?
   - Indirectly. When something is not feeling quite right.
4. Do you make notes on your reflections?
   - Absolutely.
5. When is the best time to reflect?
   - Throughout the design process.
6. Do you compare your work to work by your heroes?
   - Yes.
7. How do you benefit by comparison?
   - Definition leads to knowledge. Knowledge is power.
8. What can be a disadvantage of comparison?
   - Unreasonable or unbalanced comparisons could lead to false conclusions.

 

Task 2 - Moving On / Encouraging solutions

In regard to creative collaboration: discuss these questions - write a paragraph on each and use examples;

1. Are you brave enough to move on and adopt new and unexpected ideas?
   - Yes, the collaborative work completed as a part of this unit is a good example. When I began this course I, like most people, had preconceived ideas about the what I was going to create. The basics like a portfolio, website and a personal branding could be taken as a given. As for individual projects I approached the course with an open mind, but a cover for bicycle helmets? I really did not see that one coming.
2. Describe how you have encouraged others with a solution to their design problems
   - Here are some of my pearls of wisdom that I have shared with others over the course of the semester; 'What matters in the end, is that you are happy to put this design forward as your work',  'When I am designing something, I ask myself would I buy this, eat this, wear this, talk about this, etc.', 'Imagine yourself from the perspective of your target audience, sure a ten year old boy may be a little difficult, not to mention creepy, but...' and 'You are so doing it wrong'.

 

Research

Video

Found this while looking for something else and decided that I just needed to post it somewhere. Enjoy.

Images

Insert images and comment

Reflection

I think overall I am a good person to work with collaboratively, particularly in the discussion, reflection and criticism areas. I also have an ability to lighten the mood, which I think of as having the effect of greasing the wheel (although I am kind of mixing my metaphors here). I just know from my perspective that I feel more creatively engaged if I am enjoying the process.