SCAD Graphic Design Studio: Methodological Practice-GRDS-702
Unit 7 & 8 Blog Entries

What are you learning about yourself and your creative process as a result of this unit’s discussion of values?

In Exploration B, I have slowed my process way down from the way I normally react to a project or assignment. As discussed in Exploration A, my process included quick decision making and execution tactics, and (while expected in my professional practice) did not allow me to benefit from self-reflection, consultation with colleagues, and consideration of a variety of executions.

So far in Exploration B, I have really enjoyed slowing down and spending a great deal of time going through each phase of the ideation, presentation, feedback and revision process. I feel that the end result of the work has really benefited from this approach as well.

How do you find that values (personal, political, cultural, etc.) inform your creative practices?

My personal values don’t inform my work for the most part, in that as a designer my role on a project is to visually interpret my client’s values to the best of my ability. With that being said, as in a previous discussion, if I don’t agree with the values of the project, I will turn it down.

Reflect on your own creative process. How do you strive to achieve a moment of performance or move forward in reach of a noble pursuit?

This Exploration has allowed me to find my own voice for the project. I have been able to determine the entire direction and the message, as such my own values are represented. Additionally, I feel that the goal of my message is a “noble pursuit” and that I am trying to do a social good by informing kids in a fun and memorable way to have safe social media practices.

Are your creative activities leading toward a moment of disruptive wonder for your audience, as well as for yourself?

I feel that the disruptive wonder in this Exploration is in the surprise combination that I created of the classic Snow White fairytale with the contemporary social media safety message. At first glance the target audience (3rd and 4th graders) will see the stickers and t-shirts as cool collectible characters – dark and a just creepy enough to be cool. Then as they engage with the pieces – read the messages, see the safety tips on the facebook page, etc. they will experience that moment of disruptive wonder. For myself, I was pleasantly surprised at the end result of these design pieces. There were a few key moments of discovery for me that informed the overall aesthetic, and wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t slow down and analyze each phase of the project.