Creative Process

What I learned about the creative process...

To begin my creative process, I tried out the design thinking model, This method helped me organize my research into a design by gathering the information I researched, defining it, and then starting to form design ideas to test out. I summarized the information I gathered from researching scent, emotion, color, shape, and texture and how they could all interact to further communicate my project's message. This helped me define the fragrances and design of the candles and diffusers I would make. When I summarized my research and developed various ideas from that, I was able to see the different directions that I could follow and also which ideas I liked better. The next part of my creative process which played a large role in the completion of this project was iteration and prototyping. Experimentation was very valuable in deciding on the final scents and designs, I played with color, scent combinations, and intensity to find the right overall scents. I also sketched various designs for the candles and vases until I formed ones that aligned with the fragrances and the emotions they represented.  The candles mixed soy wax, essential oils, and dyes and were poured into molds. The diffusers mixed an almond oil base with essential oils and were poured into vases with reeds and decorated with dried flowers and/or yarn. Iterating was my favorite part of this process. I was able to test and explore until I found the best option. Each week I would try something new and experience it physically which was a big help in editing my work. From this project, I learned how much of a process the creative process is. You will start with nothing, but as you follow the steps, more ideas and progress will show forming a foundation for the final product that will be built upon and grow into its most optimum state.   

An introduction to design thinking process guide. (n.d.). https://web.stanford.edu/~mshanks/MichaelShanks/files/509554.pdf