Freewriting! A new experience January 16, 2013
Posted by Kaleena Tucker in : Uncategorized , trackback- This has been an interesting assignment, to say the least. I realized about 5 minutes in that I haven’t actually written this much by hand in a really long time. I could tell by the way my fingers were cramping. Eeek! I’m not sure that this writing makes much sense to anyone other than myself. However, I do feel that it was successful in bringing up several questions that I’d like to take time to address.
Comments
Kaleena,
Phew! You are all over the place. But, I think I get your underlying concern. The big question I have for you is what is graphic design to you. For me it is more about the concept of creating usable real world solutions to client needs. Not simply making pretty pictures. If one bought into the DIY (do it yourself) craze, then anyone could be a designer. Simply watch a few tutorials and your in! But I ask you, is that what this profession has come to?
I personally see a grand abyss between the form makers and the form givers. A true designer knows how to think, synthesis, and process significant information to present a true designed result that is based on research, collaboration, and a focus on the true needs of the end user. I believe as a profession we need to take a look at what we stand for now, and what we want to stand for. How can we position our field as significant to corporate America? How can we position the designer to stand as equals in the boardroom when making decisions that impact the final product?
If you have not previously had time to look at the researched assessment made by AIGA (the voice of our industry – more or less) back in 2006, see what the outlook is for the designer of 2015 here: Defining the Designer of 2015: http://www.aiga.org/designer-of-2015/ (and click into the essential competencies and trends links within that article as well). Hope this helps!
Kaleena, what I enjoyed about your freewriting exercise, is that we ended up with similar results. We both started out stating how we felt about a certain subject, with questions, and answered our own questions with more questions. Though we don’t necessarily have a solid answer, we are actively thinking about our direction, our topic, and strategizing how we are going to discuss this in a thesis. I look forward to seeing this develop.
Mariska
Thanks for reading Mariska! Attempting to answer at least some of those questions is definitely going to help me focus a bit more.
Ericca,
I finally see your comment! Sorry. I had to check my settings.
You’re right! I am all over the place. lol. The way I approached this was to let my thoughts go where they naturally went without editing myself or making myself stay focused. For that reason, it’s a bit difficult to follow.
But, I really like your idea of stopping and asking myself what is graphic design to ME. I’m going to spend some time and really think about that. Thanks!
Hi Kaleena,
I think the strength in your free writing entry is that are able to ask the very important questions that will get you to your final thesis statement. In this process I can see that it is easy to work without handling the significant questions that will ultimately help to inform you. It is necessary to explore all of the points that will carry you to the conclusion. Your approach opened up my mind, in that I am now building a list of questions that will help me in the preparation of my thesis. Thank you for the inspiration.
~ Keely