Design is something we are surrounded by whether we notice it or not; whether we care or not. It is the sculptures, paintings, and architecture around us but so much more. There are so many ways to approach a design projects, it just depends on how one thinks and perceives it. I consider the thought process to be the most important part of a design project. From the first thoughts to the last, it is a way to understand why a designer make the decisions he/she made. I often wish there was an explanation with many pieces of art, but I also appreciate the reaction and interpretation I am to make on my own.
When it comes to design I believe I am more of a thinker, than a sketcher. It is a personal characteristic I have been working with my entire life. When writing essays in grade school I would never plan it out, I would write down the first response I came up with and go with it. The past few years I have been making a conscious effort to write down my ideas and thoughts in a journal or sketchbook. I have never been a strong sketcher, so I chose to stay away from it for a long time. Moving to Greensboro and starting a new major lead me to the start of a new thinking process. I have been challenged to stretch my thoughts and ideas to a new distance, I began to really look at things, and not only see what’s in front of me.
About a month ago I went to see the art exhibit of Judy Pfaff in the Weatherspoon building on campus, she talked about her thoughts and how some of her projects were developed. At the end of this fascinating experience, she quietly said, "In a pinch, you go somewhere,” I have thought of this quote everyday since. In the process of design, an artist can bounce between hundreds of thoughts and ideas. This process is so significant to the end product because the exploration of many possible solutions is a way to eliminate the “bad ideas” or to improve and develop ideas.
Not everything is spread out in front of us to understand, we are here in this world like everyone else, and we are left to figure it out ourselves.
