Week 1 Individual Reflection: "SEED"

GUIDING QUESTION Which part of SEED has had the greatest impact on your creative work?

EVIDENCE OF LEARNING Artifacts, photos, videos, drawings, sketches,  etc.

While all the constituents of "SEED" (social interactions, experience, environment, and discovery) had undoubtedly been great forces in shaping the outcome of our project, I have repeatedly seen a level of critical contribution within our social interactions, one we seem to lack from the other four components. Of course, this isn't to say they weren't present--they were. Experience became the topic of our discussion when we entered the "Renaissance" or brainstorming stage, making sure we could identify ways in which we could all contribute. We found ourselves both limited and encouraged by our environment when determining the parameters of our project. Discovery became the fundamental trait we wanted our audience to take away from our project. Yet I return to our social interactions, because if it weren't for the collaborative aspect of our project-making, I doubt any of it would have come to fruition as quickly or successfully as it did. First, when we realized that our previous project skeleton would simply not work, it was the open discussion between each of our equal group members that pulled us out of the "U" into which we had fallen. We were able to be clear, direct, and honest with each other about our opinions on the matter, understanding that each was valid, important, and only meant to help progress the group. Eventually, through talking with each other enough, we were able to determine that our feelings were too mixed and that we needed to get help. Subsequently, when seeking this help--reforming the topic and direction of our project--we threw ourselves into a casual (but intense!) brainstorming session with the help and encouragement of Mrs. Ricci. We were asked to build upon each other's ideas with a "Yes, and..." approach, discarding quality in place of quantity when we offered our ideas to the group. Developing this focus on quantity allowed the 'size' of our ideas to remain small enough that someone else's new idea would more easily merge with the last. This quickly became the method of our collaboration, and each small idea ultimately became the big one we call PlayFair. In summary, though elements of all four SEED constituents have made themselves visible throughout our work as a team, it is our social interactions, discussion, and collaboration that really propelled us forward through our process this week. As we continue, I have little doubt that it is these things that will bring us to new heights as our project grows and shifts during our time in Boston.

Our group at work in our creative space   Finding a collaborative way to let ideas flow  Even our logo reflects the importance of social interactions