Blog

Symbols are used in business, politics, and religion to influence, manipulate and inspire. They are a curious, human thing that aid communication in a powerful way. Design is the platform and vehicle used to execute all manner of communication. We, as designers, therefore, have an ethical and moral responsibility to society to do good or bring awareness to wrongdoing.

The research material and lecture this week felt more like a recap of typography lectures I experienced in school combine with a printing history lesson. Sometimes it is good to return to the basics as it provides a strong foundation onto which all design skills are built. 

This week my life embodied the workshop challenge as my city filled me with a sense of joy and awe. I woke up at four in the morning to capture the morning light overlooking the beaches. I hiked to the top of Lions Head to get panoramic views of the city as the sun rose and walked in the forest after work as the sun was setting. I drove down to the lakes to do yoga and had lunch at a wine farm, camera in hand to capture and absorb all my hometown has to offer.

My first reflection on career advice came from What Colour is Your Parachute, recommending that I follow my passions. I don't think life is that insular or I would currently be miserable and working as a Fine Artist. Purpose was missing from the equasion, it gives you the grit to succeed (Stillman, 2019).

'To gain knowledge, use research to evoke a sense of curiosity & play with your imagination to realize something you didn't know before (Hosken, 2020).' This statement by Martin Hosken at the start of week seven's lecture was a pivotal element to my approach and attitude this week. 

The readings this week inspired and challenged me to wake up each day and see how I can experience the world anew. My camera got dusted off and put to creative use outside of product photography. I became an explorer, rising before sunrise to capture the best light and looking for the subject matter, and perspectives I envisioned a child might notice. 

This week I worked with a backdrop of the African plains, surrounded by elephants, leopards, rhino and other wild creates at a Safari Lodge in Nelspruit. The tranquil environment has lowered my stress levels and motivated me to take a step back and focus on the content I find interesting, to write from the heart and to enjoy the processes. The phycology behind the content and resources is not only influencing my work, but also my personal development. I find myself stimulated with a wealth of new and different knowledge and conversation at hand as the week's progress.

I am still struggling with time management, which I need to rectify, or I am going to burn out, and my business is going to suffer. <br /> I need to cut down the time I spend on resource revision and writing substantially while moving through the design work at a faster pace. My inner perfectionist is hampering this progress. I am my awareness of the situation will speed up its resolution. 

Participation in this course has thus far been a humbling experience. I expected to fly through the course and material with ease, but the fields of study, writing and referencing are a new learning experience that is taking time to master. I have streamlined my note-taking process, which has organized my thoughts in a more structure manner and cut down my writing time considerably. I am hoping to better my approach as the week's progress. 

An exciting part of this week was an insular look at design in our residing city. I sometimes get lost in broader, more Eurocentric design influences, so it was good to bring things home. <br />  <br /> I found the larger agencies played second fiddled to the smaller studios or solopreneurs. I wonder if they have a greater impact than larger agencies because they offer a more personalized and niche service.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it. Begin now. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe<br /> This week was a tumultuous situation of being thrown in the deep end. Wolfgang von Goethe’s quote steered me in the direction of this course where everything is new and exciting while at the same time a little daunting. I have, however, learned to embrace being out of my comfort zone as I have found the opportunities in life endless if I welcome them. <br />