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In Week 03, I had the opportunity to participate in two design sprints, each lasting 40 minutes. This constrained time frame forced me to navigate a delicate balance between spontaneity and thoughtfulness in my design approach. The requirement to work swiftly and decisively appeared to be an exercise in shedding inhibitions and embracing a more instinctive creative process. The time pressure acted as a catalyst for experimentation, encouraging me to explore unconventional ideas and solutions that I might have hesitated to consider in a more relaxed setting.
During the first sprint, I aimed to create a thought-provoking poster that prompted viewers to contemplate and reflect on its content. The poster features a central visual element, accompanied by the title "Two Worlds" and a one-sentence prompt. My intention was to convey the experience of navigating between two distinct cultures as an international student or sojourner.
The outcome garnered mixed yet constructive feedback. Participants who read the prompts grasped the intended message conveyed by the visual motif. However, those who didn't read the prompts were led to interpret the visual as depicting space travel, indicating that the poster didn't fully achieve the desired universality aspect of my PDS. Further feedback reinforced the idea that not all viewers would read the text in its entirety, necessitating a stronger, more conceptually rich title or a title that succinctly conveyed the message.
Additionally, I acknowledged the potential political connotations certain visual styles might carry, potentially conflicting with the project's universal nature. While these considerations would play a larger role in the final design, the time constraint of 40 minutes made this initial attempt a valuable learning experience.
In the second design sprint, I took on the challenge of animating the poster from the first sprint. I successfully created a semi-complete looping animation, which was then projected onto a wall and accompanied by ambient audio. This served as a rapid prototype for my proposed multi-sensory experience.
Feedback indicated that the inclusion of sound profoundly transformed the experience, and the use of projection and animation added an immersive dimension beyond the conventional poster. However, it was noted that the moving text could be distracting and potentially counteract the central visual composition. Regrettably, due to time limitations, I couldn't include voice narration, which will be integrated into the final design.
All in all, my experience with the design sprints proved to be an invaluable learning journey, offering me a wealth of insights and knowledge. It's remarkable how these time-constrained sessions pushed me beyond my creative boundaries and demonstrated the extent of what I could accomplish within a relatively brief timeframe. The design sprints showcased the potency of focused effort and quick decision-making, demonstrating that innovation and ingenuity can flourish even under the pressures of limited time.
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During the peer feedback and advice sessions, an intriguing topic emerged regarding the distinction between "Culture" and "Tradition," which I had previously been using interchangeably. As the discussion unfolded, it reveals that culture encompasses a broader spectrum of values, beliefs, and practices that evolve and adapt over time, while tradition often refers to specific customs and rituals that are passed down through generations.
One of the challenges raised during the peer feedback was the potential political connotations associated with certain visual styles, which might be incongruous with the intended universal nature of my project. An essential question arose: how can I strike a balance between universality and individualism, both in visual and textual aspects? I aimed to create a direction that resonates with diverse audiences—individuals from varying backgrounds and age groups.
To reiterate and clarify my direction, I want to emphasise that my objective is to foster an environment that sparks imagination and reflection about participants' own cultures. This emphasis is not about preserving any specific culture but rather creating a space that encourages contemplation. Through these insightful peer discussions and feedback, I've been able to refine my approach and develop a more inclusive and thought-provoking project.