[Draft] Essay - Section 3: The Creative, Positioning the Researcher
This is where you will introduce yourself as a creative maker, thinker and research. Defining in 3-4 points:
The key values and ideas that underpin your practice;
The conventions, media and processes that you gravitate towards;
The key methods and tools you use to undertake research, locate ideas and context, to find a topic, subject matter and themes;
Share your point of view about the role and importance of design. This could be for a specific social or cultural impact, audience or cause, sustainability, gender issues, equality etc;
My practice is rooted in certain key values and ideas that drive my work, informed by my experiences and aspirations. My multidisciplinary approach includes communication and interaction  with themes in music, faith, and social good. The wide range of topics and themes enriches my creative process.
As for media and processes, I lean predominantly towards digital tools and platforms. Graphic design finds its home in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. For interaction design, I utilise Miro and Figma to craft intuitive and user-centric digital experiences.
Research is always a crucial aspect of the creative process. The vast landscape of the internet holds a massive trove of information and inspiration. However, actively engaging with the stakeholders and audience to really understand their needs, preferences, and pain points is paramount in creating resonant solutions as well. Collaboration and open communication are valued and essential processes to ensure the success of projects.
My view on design is that it is a means of fostering impact and encouraging positive change. Whether it's through creating engaging visuals for the church community, designing campaigns for social good, or enhancing user experiences, design can be a tool for communication, education, and transformation.
Other Paragraphs I've Written
An essential dimension to âThe Creativeâ Iâm integrating is my faith. My family comes from a Roman Catholic background, and while Iâve always identified as a Catholic, my connection to it has deepened recently. This year, I started attending my local parish, and contributing to the ministry by playing piano with the choir at masses.
Alongside doing creating branding and promotional material for church, I aspire to leverage graphic design to nurture my relationship with Christ as my journey in faith is very personal. While I havenât undertaken any creative projects tied to Christianity due to my short time of involvement with the church, Iâm considering how having some sort of journal/diary could  be a valuable tool to harmonise my path in faith with my interest for publication/editorial design.
A faith journal or diary would serve as a personal space where I synthesis and articulate my thoughts, relections, prayers, experiences, scriptural and quote collections, regarding spirituality expressed in creative ways. It could include illustrations, typography, and other visual aids thoughtfully laid out. I aim to create a free and comfortable space for self-discovery, so I will personalize it to align with my needs and preferences, yet also design it to be engaging and aesthetically pleasing.
The Holy Bible is a historical and spiritual artefact, officially compiled in the late fourth century, and the best-selling book in the world with hundres of millions of copies printed over the past 1500 years (History.com Editors, 2018). The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is a reference work summarising the fundamental doctrines of the Catholic Church, often used as a teaching tool (Hopkins, 2023). But at a glance, the Bible and the CCC seem like plain and dense volumes, hundreds of pages long, and jam packed with text.
Both of these essential books offer a parallel to my interest in publication and editorial design. Iâve often felt frustated at the challenge of comprehending theological concepts.
I could create storytelling elements comprising of typographic designs, symbolic illustrations and capture the essence of the biblical narratives. These preserved centuries of wisdom and inspired writings can engage viewers with spiritual depth.
Aside from design, my other talent and passion lies in music and I play the piano and viola. From being a part of a world premiere production with New Zealand Opera, to accompanying singers, and teaching kids; my musical journey has enriched my personal growth.
My journey began when I was 8 years old. Over the years, this passion has helped me grow so much as a person. Through countless practice sessions, lessons, and rehearsals, I have been taught discipline, patience and perseverance. Through my effort and commitment, I have been rewarded with many accomplishments and awards. Music has been a big part of my life and will continue to be.
Almost everyone is familiar with music and has been exposed to various genres, but many fail to fully grasp the significance and influence it holds in our daily existence. Music serves not only as a form of artistic expression and entertainment, but also possesses the potential to be therapeutic and beneficial to our mental and physical well-being.
I would be open to designing for CDâs, album covers, posters advertisements for concerts and festivals. Additionally, I would like to do work that engages and inspires the newer generations in music education and provide the opportunity for them to explore it.
Design is integrated in every part of this world, from the products, services, and spaces we work, move, and live in. Design is not merely about aesthetics but also about innovating, inspiring, and offering solutions that will impact lives.
Alongside graphic design, I would like to pursue a career in the User Experience (UX), or Customer Experience (CX) design industry. In my Interaction Design Studio class last semester, I chose to redesign Webjetâs website focusing on the flight booking section.
I conducted user research such as surveys and user testing to identify problems, limitations and weaknesses of the Webjet website as well as competitor analysis research and critically examining, and comparing similar websites.
Using wireframing and prototyping in Figma, I employed a design system with typography, colour, icons, grid and components. I improved the designâs consistency and cohesiveness so that users could build the most streamline travel journey.
This project made me realise that I enjoy working on designs that improve customersâ interactions and therefore, I want to do this type of work in the future. I want to positively influence consumerâs experiences with products, services, and systems in a way that is intuitive, smooth, and pleasant.
Social good is a theme that will come up more frequently in my design practice as I have acquired two internships for the upcoming summer. One of them is at Good Health Design, a transdisciplinary design and research studio based in AUTâs School of Art and Design. The other is at Waiheke Resources Trust, a professional non-profit organisation the promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility on Waiheke Island (Waiheke Resources Trust, n.d.)
During the mid-term break this semester, I was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the ICU with a life-threatening complication at Middlemore Hospital. This unexpected hiatus caused me to take few weeks off to recover, and revaluate my priorities in my life. This disruption and challenging ordeal has sparked an interest in design in the healthcare sector.
I look forward to my 2023/2024 summer internship at Good Health Design. Iâm excited about the prospect of collaborating with clinical experts, healthcare professionals, and researchers from different fields to empower, enhance and enrich the communities and the healthcare experience of individuals. This isnât limited to the medical needs, but also the emotional, psychological and social aspects of health (Good Health Design, n.d.).
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