Writing Initiative #7
What have you learned about yourself?
I’ve learned that I really rely on structure, deadlines, and especially direction. Going into this class, I already knew I would probably struggle a bit with the self-directed format, but I wanted to give it a go and see where it would take me. I figured being uncomfortable might be a good thing for growth, and it definitely was. While the openness of the assignment allowed for a lot of creativity, it also left me second-guessing a lot of my decisions. I realized I tend to wait until I’m totally sure of an idea before starting, which can hold me back. This course pushed me to start experimenting earlier, even when things felt uncertain, and to trust that something could emerge through the process itself.
What did you find to be the most difficult aspect?
Translating my word (which was mainly scientific based) into a visual and conceptual direction was probably the biggest struggle. It took me a while to figure out how to move beyond the literal definition and find something I could expand on meaningfully. I spent the better part of 3 to 4 weeks working through critiques, research, word maps, and small experiments before landing on the idea of censorship. Once I made that connection, everything started to fall into place, but getting to that point was definitely a challenge.
What did you enjoy about this opportunity?
This was really different from anything I’ve done before. Most of my courses at OCAD have been much more structured or rigid in terms of expectations. Assignments are usually predefined and we’re often working within a set framework (which I do sometimes like, to be fair haha). I wasn’t sure if I’d take thesis, so I saw this course as a bit of a trial run. I really appreciated the opportunity to explore something in my own way. I doubt I’ll get this kind of creative freedom again; definitely not in another class, and probably not after school, either. Not only could I take the concept in any direction I wanted, but I could also approach the execution however I wanted (in terms of material, aesthetic, or even format).
How would you rate your performance over the course of the semester?
I think I did pretty well overall (like a 8/10 maybe). I persevered and kept pushing through, even when things didn’t go to plan. I continually experimented and tested new ideas, and I made sure to show up to critique every week with something to present. Of course, the pieces could always be more polished or better crafted, but considering my engagements outside of this course, I feel like I gave it a solid try.
Hindsight is 20/20, what would you do differently?
If I could do things differently, I’d start planning earlier and give myself more time to develop the later projects. I think my outcomes could have been more fully realized if I had considered how they would build on one another right from the beginning instead of focusing so heavily on the 2D. Honestly, throughout the semester, I kept getting stuck in the brainstorming and ideation phase. I was anxious about making the wrong decision or messing something up, but in the end, the real mistake was not doing anything at all.
Thanks again for the amazing semester!! Have a nice summer!!