Week 6 & Mid Semester Break

This blog post covers my reflections on both week six and the mid-semester break. I have decided to structure the blog post using Rolfe et al's (2001) ‘What? So What? Now What? reflective model as I have been working on the development of my project’s brand identity for 301.

Rolfe et al's (2001) ‘What? So What? Now What? reflective model.

(Rolfe et al, 2001)

WHAT?


This is a screenshot of my Miro progressions for week 6 & the mid-semester break. A lot of this information is then transferred to the appropriate spot for it within my Design for Equity framework which is demonstrated in the following image below. 

Within my design framework, I have been mapping out the pages of my website (breaking down what each page will cover) as well as developing the brand identity as I much as I can before feedback in week 7. This process has had me moving between the ideate and prototype phases.

Context: This week’s reflection centres around my ongoing work on the "Bloody Strong" brand identity, which is part of what I had assigned within my timeline of the ideating and prototyping phases of my Design for Equity framework. The project focuses on creating an inclusive, workplace-friendly campaign addressing dysmenorrhea. Alongside this, I’ve been juggling the demands of two major units, DES301 and DES302, which has made it challenging to manage everything, especially during the mid-semester break.

The challenge: The biggest challenge I’ve faced is making design choices that align with my goals for the brand—especially when it comes to imagery. I want the visuals to be inclusive of all menstruators, not just women, while still feeling professional and relevant to a workplace setting. However, a lot of the visual precedents I've found lean heavily into traditional femininity, which doesn’t align with my aim for inclusivity. On top of that, trying to balance tasks between two units has added extra pressure and made it harder to move forward.

What I was trying to achieve: My goal was to create a brand identity that’s strong, fresh, minimalist, inclusive, and professional. This meant making deliberate choices about colour palettes, typefaces, and especially imagery, ensuring that they resonate with a diverse audience while fitting the professional context of the workplace.

Outcome: So far, I’ve gathered inspiration and sketched out the direction I want to take with the brand’s aesthetic. However, I’m currently at a bit of a standstill with the imagery because I’m unsure how to make it align with the DEI goals of the project. I’m hoping that once I get back from the mid-semester break, I’ll have a clearer path forward after discussing my ideas with my peers.

My role: As the designer and decision-maker, I’ve been responsible for researching, ideating, and refining the brand identity. I’ve also sought feedback from peers and reflected deeply on how my own positionality influences the decisions I’m making.

Role of others: My peers have been a crucial part of this process, offering feedback and participating in interviews. Dianna’s workshop, where we explored our positionality, was particularly eye-opening and has influenced how I approach the project.

How I felt: I’ve felt a mix of frustration and determination throughout this process. The frustration comes from feeling stuck in making the right imagery choices, while the determination comes from knowing how important it is to get this right. Balancing multiple tasks has been stressful, but it’s also motivated me to push through.

Consequences: For me, the main consequence has been a delay in progressing with the imagery, which adds pressure to complete the project. For others, especially my peers and instructors, my progress and the feedback I receive could shape our collective understanding of what it means to design inclusively.

What was good/bad about the experience: The good part of this experience has been the deeper understanding I’ve gained about the importance of inclusivity in design. The bad part is the frustration and delay caused by feeling stuck in making the imagery decisions that align with my project’s goals.

SO WHAT?


What did I learn? This situation has taught me the critical importance of evaluating design precedents through a DEI lens. It also highlighted the challenges of balancing multiple projects, especially when they require different kinds of focus and energy.

What was on my mind? Throughout this, I’ve been constantly thinking about how to balance inclusivity with aesthetic appeal. I’ve also been worried about how the imagery I choose will be perceived in a workplace setting.

What guided my decisions? My decisions were guided by a commitment to DEI principles, feedback from peers, and a desire to create a brand identity that’s both powerful and inclusive. The workshop on positionality also played a huge role in shaping my approach.

What could I have done differently? I could have sought feedback more frequently, especially from people who have different perspectives on inclusivity. I also could have allowed myself more room to experiment with different imagery concepts, rather than feeling constrained by existing precedents.

What’s my new understanding? I now see that creating an inclusive brand identity is an iterative process that requires ongoing reflection and feedback. The frustrations I’ve felt are an important part of the learning process, helping me refine my approach to design.

What does this tell me about how I work? This experience has shown me that I can be overly critical of my own work, which sometimes leads to feeling stuck. However, it also reaffirmed my commitment to inclusivity and the importance of taking the time to get things right, even if it means slowing down temporarily.

NOW WHAT?


What do I need to do in the future? Going forward, I need to establish clearer checkpoints for feedback and be more open to experimenting with different design approaches earlier in the process. I should also make it a priority to seek out diverse perspectives beyond my immediate circle to ensure my work aligns with broader DEI principles.

Potential consequences? By seeking more diverse feedback and experimenting earlier, I’m likely to create a more refined and inclusive final product. This approach could also reduce the likelihood of feeling stuck and improve the overall quality of my work.

What considerations do I need? I need to manage my time effectively to ensure I have enough space for reflection and feedback without compromising other aspects of my workload. Clear communication with peers and instructors will also be key to receiving the most helpful feedback.

How will I ensure I follow my plan? To make sure I stick to my plan, I’ll set specific goals and deadlines for each phase of the design process, including when to seek feedback and when to experiment with new ideas. Keeping a reflective journal or having regular check-ins with a mentor could also help keep me on track.


Outside of my 301 work, I used the break to primarily focus on my 302 report to be ready for the check-in during week seven. Whilst I am aware that it is only a check-in, I know that putting in the work early as opposed to right before the report is due (which so happens to be also when the entirety of 301 is due ahhh) will be a huge stress-reliever. I also want to get things written out as fully as possible so that I can make the most out of the feedback I will receive from this first check-in.


Nevertheless, here is me enjoying my 'break' last weekend... :)

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