(Week 10) Blog Five Checkpoint

Natt Pano
Oct 7, 2024
6 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

{This week I haven’t really kept track on my daily tasks. It was that busy and still is. I’m writing this on the bus to save time😭. Anyway, for this blog I will do bullet points instead of doing the date and month I usually do. Also, I’m sorry for making the last previous blog long 🥺.}

Context and current process:

A quick recap: I am designing a capstone project within 12 weeks, which I will document in my blogs and show my progress on Miro. For this week's progress, I aim to find the participants for the testing phase. I will say that it's going fine. However, I don't have high expectations (I will elaborate in the 'what?' section). I have also worked on the poster's final (it was due this week, so I had to speedrun that😀. Coffee came in clutch). The poster required completing the final challenge cards (cultural and mental) and the final logo. As for the other tasks, I did a quick start-up of the visual book (I lowkey did that 10 minutes ago, heh😃. No one needs to know except you).

While completing these tasks, I ensured the work remains following the primary objectives of the research question, "How might we foster the mental wellness of international and domestic New Zealand uni students by improving interactions using VR?".

List of what I'm planning to do in the following week (11):

Going to start the video prorotype - need to get suitable videos of the vr space prototype and the artwork from myself and the participants.
I need to continue locking in with the visual book. I will speedrun.
Get a crack on the report. I should consider doing it earlier before I'm (sorry for the language) fucked🥹.
Finding the exhibition materials is simple. Going to to that today (11th October). I pray I find what I'm looking for. Update: did it🙂.

Chosen Model:

I will continue to incorporate the 'What? So What? Now What?' reflective model in this blog writing. I'm still sticking to this model😭. On a real note, I want to improve how I use this model within my reflective writing and the feedback given in the previous blog.

[Figure 1: Rolfe et al., (2001) reflective model What? So what? Now what?]

What?

I finally completed the logo. However, I made a spontaneous change. I chose a different design, as the FabLab expert mentioned how the old logo didn't associate well with the overall project, which I completely agree with. They're still helping me when they don't need to🥺. It is not even a part of their job😭. I'm so thankful for the help. Anyhow, figure 2 will show you the changes.

[Figure 2: Logo Final. My Miro]

Well, I completed the poster. I actually had an hour left to spend😌 my temporary proud moment. I didn't have much trouble during this task, as I had heaps of help from the Fablab and the tutor experts. Again, I'm genuinely thankful for all of them. I also was very peaceful, regardless of having a lot to do. Although, I had to submit it again because I forgot to add a component to the final pdf. Don't get me wrong, I did it. I just didn't include it😃. If I were to acknowledge any challenges, it would be undertaking the task with no sleep and three coffees🥹. I'm seriously not sure how I did all that with no energy (okie, I know how, but it's truly amazing how much faith can do for you). Another challenge is how I decided to rush the assembling phase of the poster🥹. I had to step back, take a breather, and then figure out a layout, which I did (with expert help). I continuously asked for advice and checked if the process was good. I have anxiety, okie. I need it to be perfect😭.

[Figure 3: Poster composition options. My Miro]

[Figure 4: Poster final. My Miro]

I had also completed the challenge cards and more iterating. I did this before the final poster because it was a required component. The challenge during this part was being decisive. I struggled with the designs and how to portray the cultural challenge cards. However, I got the final with the help of those around me. The above (God) and my sides (tutor/FabLab) support. Amen🙏🏻.
I am not sure if it was mentioned or not, but I have also completed the art challenges (writing), eight in each category. I also ensured they were suitable for the Artsy InterVision activity.

[Figure 5: challenge cards iteraction. My Miro]

[Figure 6: challenge cards final digital. My Miro]

[Figure 7: challenge cards final physical. My Miro]

I have also considered doing trial testing for the participants. I decided to collect 'findings' information for the report by doing this. So, they are to do the activity and then fill out a form about their experience and if it actually achieves the primary goals. Although they did it separately, they can anticipate if it would work well in group interactions. A challenge for this task is actually finding people to do it. I have friends, but they are also very busy with work😭. So, I will try to find people not doing the capstone. However, that is kind of tricky since I don't really have close friends who don't 😀. Welp, gotta work with what I got, heh. I'm not going to lie; I don't know if I'm wasting my time doing this or not😭. I pray I'm not.

{P.s. I'm sorry for the bad photos😭 I tried. VR is not easy.}

[Figure 8: VR artwork (testers). My Miro]

The most essential task is report writing. I feel like I am falling behind😭. Nah, at this stage, I think I am falling behind. I need to speedrun that shit too (sorry for the language). I feel like it's not good enough, even with assurance. The challenge for this task is actually getting started. I want to finish the sections all at once, as I aim to refine the literature review, but I also want to begin my conclusion and the part of the phase. I can't wrap my head around it all🥺. However, I still trust the process. Have faith🙏🏻.

So what?

I need to consider not comparing myself to others and their work. I tend to compare my work pace with my friends (dumb idea🥹), so my anxiety goes skyrocketing. I need to close that section of my mind and just go with my pace.Sometimes, ignoring others is the best you can do for yourself—for instance, the report. I have so much to do, whereas my friends are already at it (ahead)🥺. However, I need to realise that they are more skilled in that category than me, and that's okie. I am good at other things, so it's fine to lack skills in report writing. I just have to work on it, you know. Get locked in😭.
I need not to overcomplicate things when working. I felt the need to make the cards and logo perfect. I am a perfectionist. However, I need to consider the time I have. I should have completed a satisfactory level of work and also saved time for future tasks. I'm saying this because there's still a lot to do, and we have less than two weeks heh😭. I also had other ideas, like adding stickers, but there's no time for that. I must remember that simple is sometimes better, and that's on Periodt💅🏻😌.

Now what?

As I mentioned in other blogs, find a way to regain my sleep. I will say my sleep is (sorry for the language) fucked. The only way to fix it is to finish uni. Therefore, a way to realistically solve it would be connecting to nature. Although some might think that does nothing, viewing the sky and feeling the air could help calm and ground you. Therefore, mentally finding peace and generating energy. Sometimes starring into nothing helps. That's what I'd do if it would repeat this whole experience.

Of course, continue growing my faith. I'm not going to lie; I've been slacking lately (following god's word, bible). However, everyone goes through that. I just need to find my way back to god and begin the journey again. He was waiting for me to return, so there's nothing to be ashamed of🥲.

For future advice, I aim to do my best. A lot is happening. There's a lot of work due, high expectations, and constant overthinking. You shouldn't waste your little energy; just go for it. We are human, after all. People can't expect high standards from those trying to maintain good sleep, mental health, and other responsibilities. That's not realistic. The fact that you tried your best is what matters. I need to remind myself that (a lot, actually 😭).

Miro Progress:

[Figure 9: overview. My Miro]

[Figure 10: close-up 1. My Miro]

[Figure 11: close-up 2. My Miro]

I understand how busy you are and the stress you’re probably under, so here are videos to help you (They helped me. The SpongeBob one is Christian) :))🥹 we so close, don’t give up😭. I cried watching both videos🥺.

Credit: Opusreality. TikTok.

Credit: Wesayamen. TikTok.

Such a good song, for real💯.