As part of this MA, I want to challenge myself. I know how to design and I know graphic design. After graduating from my BA and working as a full-time designer for 3 years, I feel I am comfortable with my knowledge of my practice. This MA is my chance, however, to further that knowledge and to challenge my practice, my skills and my adaptability.
As technology develops every year, at a speed that has never before been seen in the history of mankind, I feel it is our duty as designers to keep up with the developments and the hardware capabilities. With the dawn of 5G networks being more readily available, what will it mean for designers who do not innovate? What new hardware and capabilities will arise? It is for this reason that I am using the TMA1402 module to broaden my practice and use this opportunity, and time, to research, explore and experiment with the augmented reality field. One which I no experience designing for before.
Through discussions not only with my assigned group for this module but with those around me, my decision to take a step into augmented reality strengthened in order to break my way of working and to step back from branding for one project. To take a step into unknown software, to analyse the tools and the skills needed to succeed in this venture. With the added pressure of the university and the group behind me to motivate me when it becomes difficult. Naturally, after some days of initial researching and tests with software such as Hiro and after learning of other paid services or services that are unavailable for new customers at the moment I began to rethink my decision. Familiar feelings of stress and worry grew within me and I began to think that choosing such an unknown field was a bad move. It is peculiar how pacing can help the mind process. Stress, I feel, will be felt at any stage of the design process and it is often at an unpredictable time. This timing, quite early on in the project stage, shook me. After taking the time to sketch out ideas of how I could make this new venture into augmented reality work, instead of burying my head in the sand, I devised a plan of action to work through. A plan to research, to think about what the group needs, what the project needs and how I can use my skill set to my advantage.
It is strange how having a stressful moment can inspire you. I have often found that after stress stage of a project I always produce better work, I become more aligned and feel energised to work towards my new solution. Through research, I was able to find a solution that answers the questions of my team members regarding usability and the functionality of the augmented reality experience for the public and also allows me to follow through on my commitment to my group. Thanks to continued research I am now working to learn new software, for me, Lens Studio which allows users to design "Lenses" for Snapchat.
Comments