Week 5
This week’s blog is structured in the format of Roger Greenaway’s Four F’s of Active Reviewing (The University of Edinburgh, 2018). I have chosen this model of reviewing (Facts, Feelings, Findings, and Future) because it has been invaluable in tracking my weekly progress on my design project. It allows me to reflect both during the process (in action) and afterwards (on action). By breaking down each stage, I can assess what I'm doing in real time, adjust my strategies as needed, and critically evaluate my experiences afterwards. This structured reflection helps me continuously improve my approach, learn from challenges, and develop clear plans for moving forward in my project.
FACTS: This week was about reflecting on the assignment we handed in last week, getting feedback from Dianna about the direction of which plan she thinks is strongest for me, and talking to my peers for an additional point of view. This week almost served as a pause and deep breath before attacking the ideating phase of my design process.
Due to needing clarification about which plan, if any, of mine I wanted to move forward with first, I started a mood board for the visual identity that I want to reference (regardless of which plan I decide to proceed with). I also used this time to go back to the DEI presentation and really think about my objectives in terms of the ‘Aotearoa’s Inclusivity Matrix’ and how I can help organisations to develop their ‘Maturity Levels’ (Diversity Works, 2024).
A snapshot of my mood board so far. This is something that I hope to constantly be adding to over the rest of the semester. This will help me to consider my brand identity thoroughly as I head into the ideate phase.
Snapshot of my Miro where I have some done annotating on where I think that myself and my project fits into DEI's various frameworks. This was good for me to go back and check that I am designing with DEI in mind.
As of the end of this week, this is where my revised hypothetical vision is sitting at…
FEELINGS: I've been feeling incredibly overwhelmed lately, especially after discussing my progress with Dianna during class on Tuesday. I initially thought I'd move forward with Plan B, which involves a campaign supported by policy changes. However, after our conversation, I realised that none of my plans felt right, and I might need to start over.
This indecision has slowed me down this week, likely due to the buildup from last week's assignment. I’m reminding myself that trying and failing is better than inaction; it's the only way to eliminate ideas and move forward. I know I need to truly believe in my plan before I can make real progress, and I hope to reach this point before the mid-semester break so I can dive into ideation.
To cope with these overwhelming feelings, I revisited Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act (2023) on Wednesday night. This book, which I read over the summer and highlighted, contains passages that resonate with where I am in my design process. It’s reassuring and fitting to revisit them now.
This too shall pass!
Rubin, R. (2023). The creative act: A way of being. Penguin Press.
Image: Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act. (2023). https://www.yvon-lambert.com/products/rick-rubin-the-creative-act-a-way-of-being
All of these snapshots from the book speak to the fact that it is very normal to feel ‘stuck’. Self-doubt is a good thing and is ultimately what pushes us to do our best work. I really like that idea.
FINDINGS: Dianna’s feedback emphasised that I need to be more specific about what I’m campaigning for. While I understand this, I’m struggling to narrow it down because it feels like addressing one aspect, such as empowering menstruators, might neglect another, like educating employers. Dianna suggested revisiting the DEI website and the week one presentation for guidance.
After discussing this with some peers, they felt I was overcomplicating things with the policy element, even though it might be effective. I'm glad I took the time to slow down and seek input, as it helped me avoid further investment in a plan that may not be the best fit.
FUTURE: Moving forward, I plan to take a more focused approach in the ideation stage of my design process. Dianna’s feedback highlighted the need for specificity in my campaign’s focus, which is something I’ll address by revisiting the DEI website and the presentation from week one. This will help me better understand how to balance empowering menstruators with educating employers, without neglecting either aspect.
I've realised the importance of simplifying my approach, particularly in relation to the policy element, which my peers pointed out might be overcomplicating things. To move forward, I'll focus on narrowing down my campaign's core message, ensuring it’s both impactful and manageable. By the end of this week, I aim to have a solidified plan that I believe in, allowing me to move confidently into the next phase of ideation - remaining on track with my proposed project timeline as well come closer to the mid-semester break.