#1-Heartwarming Discoveries and Excitement in My Major Project

May 29th, 11:38am — Overflowing with excitement yet struggling to focus

I am currently embarking on my major project, and it has proven to be a remarkable journey of self-discovery. My heart is full of excitement as I witness the immense potential within individuals and explore my own capabilities. As a visual/service designer, I don’t remember the last time I worked alone; I have predominantly collaborated with various teams throughout my career, making this opportunity to work independently particularly intriguing. I am genuinely curious about understanding my personal work process when I am solely responsible.

Drawing inspiration from my surroundings, background, knowledge, and interests, I embark on this self-directed venture. Despite the solitary nature of the project, I consider myself fortunate to have the unwavering support and inspiration from a group of talented designers. Recently, I had two significant experiences that deeply resonated with me, reinforcing my admiration for highly creative individuals.

Activity #1 — collective reflection activity

As a part of the Proposal Development course of Master’s in Service Design that I am currently pursuing at the University of the Arts London, Silvia Grimaldi facilitated a collective reflection activity.

Fig 1. Collective Reflection Activity — Class Exercise. My notes are depicted in black, while my classmates expressed their opinions and comments using various colors.

This particular activity proved immensely valuable, allowing me to reflect upon my strengths, weaknesses, passions, and future aspirations. It served as an opportunity to establish connections and reassess how my major project aligns with my knowledge, goals, and passions.

Moreover, beyond its practical utility, the activity instilled a sense of empowerment within me. Witnessing the diverse interests, passions, and wealth of knowledge and skills within my peers contributed to a collective growth experience, bolstering my confidence as a creative thinker.

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Overall, these heartwarming encounters have further heightened my excitement and appreciation for people surrounding me and for the enriching journey that lies ahead in my major project.

Activity #2 — Keeping a Diary

Recently, I I have adopted two distinct methods of diary keeping to enhance my progress; one is looking from a further lens to plan the project, the other one is being very detailed and keeping every interaction documented;

Fig.2 The image on the left — yearly calendar showing travel days/blocked days with yellow color. Fig3. The timeline of every major project related interaction

> Designed a Yearly Calendar for Comprehensive Planning

The freshly started major project journey has brought about a profound realization of how both long and short five months can feel. I experience a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from moments of panic due to the limited time available, to bouts of excitement as I delve into research on my chosen topic. To be realistic, the summer time for an international student passes quick; in the rush of visiting family and friends takes away 1–1,5 months of valuable time. To gain a holistic view of the remaining time, I created a yearly calendar. By marking all the upcoming travel days and blocked periods with a distinct yellow color, I now have a visual representation that aids me in maintaining a realistic outlook and curbing unnecessary panic.

> Created a Timeline of Major Project Interactions

I consider myself fortunate to be a designer with a multitude of interests, as showcased in Figure 1 from my previous blog post titled “#0 — Step by Step to the Major Project”blog post. My various areas of interest evokes a genuine sense of excitement and fuels my thirst for knowledge.

Lately, I have expanded my perception of the world around me, actively seeking access to creativity and creative opportunities and resources available at an art school and within the vibrant city of London. Engaging in nature walks, visiting exhibitions, attending talks, and immersing myself in such experiences enables me to gather a wealth of inspiration.

Fig4. Close up image of the timeline

By meticulously curating a timeline that captures each interaction related to my major project, I can trace the journey and progress I have made thus far. This practice not only helps me keep track of my explorations but also serves as a reminder of the diverse sources from which I draw inspiration.

Next steps

• Defining project area and project questions
• Defining resources and discovery points

Wish me luck!
See you next week!