Thinking Style

A thinking style: defined as the way one thinks and questions, perceives and remembers information.

I am an Analyst-Synthesist:

I respect structure and logic but understands and values the opposite. The source of my great internal conflict. Because I'm creative, I think I lean towards the Synthesist side.

I am an Expresser and Thinker ... and I feel like writing

I all of a sudden feel like writing. Maybe it's because I am in between classes right now that I'm feeling so energetic and willing to write. In my last class we kept a blog. As usual I wrote with energy and curiosity, hoping for classmates to respond and engage in conversation. Not only did I offer up opinion, but I constructively gave feedback, suggested further learning on my classmates blog. Eventually everyone caught on, and I really came to enjoy the group from my last class. I do hope I cross their path this term in Design Methodologies - Practice seminar... group work again. This year, because I don't want to lose rhythm, I sought out the syllabus early. Instead I found a really cool online personality test, published by SCAD, to help us define our own traits and share with others. The hope is that we, as students, complete this "Collaboration Launch Kit" and share with classmates in group settings so we can get to know each other and maximize our team potential. This is what I learned about me:

I am an "Expresser" (totally true yet not a real word)

  • I like to talk about ideas, opinions, feelings and experiences
  • I am sensitive to others' feelings
  • I speak rapidly and tend to have a lot of ideas and think aloud, often using animated facial expressions and gestures (this might have to do with me being Italian as well)

I am a Thinker:

  • I like to solve problems and focus on accomplishing tasks correctly
  • I ask a lot of questions, speak deliberately and am detail-oriented
  • I love lists (good ol' pen and paper, notebooks of lists... me and my baby sister are habitual list makers)
  • I seek evidence prior to making a decision but tend to underestimate the amount of time required to complete a task (eh... not sure about that last part)

I am a Diplomat:

  • I am fun-loving, jovial with a personable and versatile personality
  • I am competent at leading people through complex projects because I also have the ability to be analytical
  • I sometimes appear to be something of an enigma because my determination and focus can be overwhelming to others at times (this is true... as I mentioned earlier... I work hard because I love it and I expect that of others... sometimes to a fault)

So much of this is accurate, I think it will really help others to get to know me quickly when we have such a short period of time to work out team responsibilities and roles.

 

A Learning Curve Ball... But Nothing I Couldn't Handle

OK. Truth be told... I could barely handle that class. Not because of the work, or the topics, or the professor... but it was group work. Ugh... I have always dreaded group work... I'm always the one pulling the weight, leading the pack, picking up the pieces... I thought it would be different in graduate school, perhaps because we all WANT to be there. Turns out not all students want to be there and will work as hard as I will. It's okay. I survived. And from it, I learned a lot. I learned a lot about me: I rarely accept less than the best from myself so I expected that of others... unfair to both parties. I'm human, I'm a mom of a wildly amazing and brilliant and attention needing 3 year old. I'm a wife of a very busy and supportive husband who also would like a minute of my attention. I work full time and want to be the best at my job too... so... It's okay if my best is sometimes just short of perfection. I am not sure how I maintained my sanity through this first class but I know I owe so much to my husband for supporting me through this first term. Finding the hours to dedicate to school (because believe me, it's not just a few hours a week, it was more like a few hours a day) was difficult and challenging for both of us.

I also learned that graduate school is like a puzzle. Each lesson is a piece of your puzzle. At first, you might not think that it belongs anywhere... but after looking at it from different angles, consulting with professors and peers, turning it around and and discovering new pieces, you'll find where it fits into your big picture. The tricky part is, that sometimes with each new piece your big picture might start to change slightly... that's okay too. I'm learning so much in just a short period of time, I couldn't be happier.

On My Way To An MFA!

Well I worked my tail off and am officially a graduate student in Graphic Design at SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design)!! AH! What an adventure! No clue how I'm going to manage working full time, being a mom, wife and having a life of my own, but I can't wait to do this. Something this year just pushed me to get there and I couldn't be more proud and excited for this journey.

P.S. This journey starts NOW! No time to waste! First class: Design Innovation Development and Marketing Strategies... I'm probably one of the few people on this planet that are truly excited for school! Let's do this!

Passion - PASSION!

A resounding theme at HOW Design Live this year was passion... something I'm never short of. It was so refreshing to hear some of the most successful designers and creatives in the world remind us that passion takes us places. Craftsmanship and portfolios are great, but if there's no passion behind your cause, you maybe be missing out.

It was another amazing week at the conference. I'm convinced that I'm a lifelong student. I love listening and learning and applying to my work and life. The sessions and keynotes were better than last year and I heard a number of HOW veterans say this was one of the best of all time. Simon Sinek, Brene Brown, Karim Rashid, of course Debbie Millman... the list is long.

HOW Live in Chicago!

2014, Boston, I was a HOW newbie and it was one of the greatest weeks of my life. It opened me up to a world of inspiration from professionals I hadn't before known existed. This year HOW comes back to my home town of Chicago and I couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity to attend the whole week.

Last year I set personal goals for myself. To step outside my comfort zone and get more out of the sessions and people then as if I had just gone and sat and listened. The goals were to introduce myself to at least one person each day and to ask at least one question to each speaker/session I attended. I was successful in those goals and it helped me break down the barriers and realize these are people just like you and I.

Next week will be here before you know it and this time I don't have a plane ride/airport hours to sit, read and ponder goals... I'll be hanging with my boys and enjoying 70 degree weather until the very last drop. (It doesn't happen all that often in April in Chicago). Instead I'll use the opportunity to start a blog to help me think through my goals...

Professional Goals:
1 - Bring back my favorite session or two to the team. Set up an hour to review and think about how we can implement into our work.
2 - Focus on Web: Discover ways to enhance our brand's online presence, build strategy and implement new trends.

Personal Goals:
1 - Participate in unofficial HOW events, introduce myself to others in the group and make friends in the biz.
2 - Figure out how other professionals stay on top of their public/social presence and portfolio and do it!