Semester one has been a test of my creative process, as well as my ability to overcome both technical and conceptual problems within each of the projects. There have been so many setbacks including; PLA burn out failures, lack of technical support, unsolved glass stress, and the inconvenient power outage which has wiped out a crucial 3 days of both workshop and studio time.
Initially, I was happier and more comfortable with Digital Crafting as I understood what was required for the brief better. However, within the first few weeks, producing forms for the sake of producing became quickly laborious and uninteresting to me. It was only when I started to develop my own conceptual ideas for utilising the process that it then began to dawn on me that there are many applications for the process – It’s just it was sold to us in terms of cages, without a mention that there could be a wider breadth for the technique. Although, I know that it’s all part of the learning experience.
As for Deconstruct Reinterpret, I had a hard time getting used to the idea of the need for ‘play’ and doing quick projects. It’s something that I was internally sceptical of having come from a very design-based background of education. However, I have learned a lot, but only as I forced myself to stop being sceptical, and embrace the creative experiences of others.
Although I feel that I subconsciously knew this previously, my realisation for the semester is:
Making for its own sake, will never interest me. The story of the work adds value, and is just as important as the piece itself.
