Work Flow

What tools, techniques, or strategies did I find?

Emerging technologies a like a double-edged sword; they can help but also destroy at the same time. It can create new ways of assistance and be good for people who work individually, but it also takes away the communication aspect and isn't

what graphic design is all about. The ability to communicate with others effectively. The problem with emerging tools is that they can be black mirror-esqe and feel inhuman, where we all rely on technology and lose that sense of verbal communication, like with Figma nd calendar organisation apps. Where multiple people can work on the same project at the same time. However, it can also help people who are across the world or just in different places in general.

What makes me euphoric and engaged in design is the experimentation part and using different techniques. I like the use of cutting and sticking, and drawing over and over again. I also love finding inspiration and seeing new ways of doing stuff, and finding connections between different shapes and letters and sounds.

• I want to start using Notion. I like the design of the app, and how I can access it through the browser as well, and I don't have to use multiple websites or technologies; it's all in one.
• I think Daisy Disks will allow people to clear their unwanted data and cache that is clogging up their laptop/ PC. This will be practical for motion graphic artists and people who are working on a larger scale.
• Motion allows people to be more organised with their time management. It utilises AI to automatically plan your day by scheduling tasks, meetings, and upcoming projects. It has a "cute" interface that makes it more appealing to people, and its colour coordinates depending on the animated character.

• Eagle plugin - browser extensions to save inspiration directly. It can be good for people who want to try a different font, brush, or style; it can also be collaborative and good for people who don't have access to all designs. It can spark experimental thinking. However, it could also stifle creativity because of the standard look of design and not creative thinking, because a computer can't be as good as a person when it comes up with ideas.
• - Clockk is an AI-powered time-tracking app that passively records activity on your active window. It can be beneficial if used correctly, and the colour coding can make it easier to track because you can link your day to different colours.

• This can be useful for people who struggle with concentration, especially people who have ADHD, because sometimes deadlines can be difficult, so this allows people to create their own deadline, which means they can get work done to a personal deadline and can see it visually constantly. This can be better than using a regular stopwatch online or using your phone, cause you will have to switch tabs constantly to check the time, and the stopwatch can be distracting. However, it is only applicable to Mac, which feels quite elitist and capitalistic in the sense that everyone just has to own this type of machinery. I find it fascinating that Apple has taken over the tech, and this is just the norm
• AI tools can be helpful, but they can also damage soft skills that we are supposed to learn for professional work. I see online that younger people are becoming too reliant on it. I find the dependent nature of AI doesn't help with critical thinking, and it can't improve people's development.

Reflection

• What part of my practice makes me feel most engaged/ creative?

I believe that the most engaging part is the first stage, where you can brainstorm to no end and come up with random ideas. For example, I liked the mind mapping for the ideas to use for 5.1 (typography brief). I think the ability to see one idea and branch out is my true flow state because I just love seeing where an idea can take me. As well as finding inspiration because it reminds me how truly creative humans are truly are, and I guess that boosts my confidence and therefore my creativity.

• When do I actually feel like I'm designing?

When I am in that flow state of creating multiple iterations can see how things need to be tweaked ever so slightly.

What tasks slow me down?

I think when it comes to the final check and making sure everything is perfect, I think the stress of it all gets to me, and I can't properly evaluate it because I need time to rest in between. To reset my eyes and brain.